Sharing the kayaking exploits of Geoff Cater and Andy Mullins as they explore the coastlines of Britain and Ireland……
“Full Circle” – Circumnavigation of Britain and Ireland – April to ?? 2024
In 2012 Geoff and Andy took 115 days to get round Britain (GB360) and in 2015 they took 40 days to get round Ireland (Emerald 360). They thought that would be it for big kayak adventures but the bug has bitten again. They have been thinking about this one for a few years but COVID and life generally got in the way. If the ageing bodies hold up to the rigours of training, they plan to leave Portscatho in Cornwall, around the end of April (weather dependent of course), turn right out of the harbour and keep going. They will cross the Irish Sea from Pembrokeshire and continue clockwise round Ireland until they hop across the Irish Sea once more into Scotland. From there they will weave their way up through the islands of the west coast, over the top and head home. They believe they will need to cover some 2,500 miles, longer than their two previous expeditions, and that it will certainly be their toughest challenge yet, not least because the boys are not getting any younger. If the kayaking doesn’t do them in, then surely the living rough for 4 months will! They are calling this final Midlifekayak adventure – “Full Circle”.
So if you want to join in and follow their adventures, follow along with this blog. They will be raising money for charity.
At the beginning of June 2015, Geoff and Andy are off again. This time they’ll set off from Rosslare, County Wexford, on the south east coast of Ireland. From there they plan to paddle the 1,000 miles or so around the Irish coast. Andy and Geoff are keen to point out, there are no records in danger with this expedition, coming as they do from the more sedate school of paddlers. Nor are they under any illusions about how tough a trip it could be with the exposed west coast and Atlantic swell. Getting all the way round is not a forgone conclusion. However, they are looking forward to experiencing what the incredible coastline of Ireland has to offer and in the process, raising some cash for a couple of their favourite charities. See our ‘Donate’ page for more details. Weather permitting, they hope to be back in Rosslare before the end of July.
Circumnavigation of Britain (GB 360) – April to August 2012
At the end of April 2012, Geoff Cater, Mike Greenslade and Andy Mullins will set off in their kayaks from Tatums Beach, Portscatho on the Cornish South Coast. They’ll turn right at the harbour wall and with some hard paddling, some reasonable weather and a lot of luck, they’ll appear again on the horizon some 100 or so days later.
All very keen sea kayakers, the paddlers met on the Isles of Scilly in April 2011. This is a mighty challenge – the journey has been completed by some very talented kayakers with impressive pedigrees. It has also defeated some equally talented kayakers and the team are under no illusions about how tough a physical and mental challenge this will be. Particularly given the fact that they aren’t exactly spring chickens any more – average age is 46. If the paddling doesn’t get to them the sleeping out in the open for most of the 100 nights just might!
They are aiming to complete the 2,500 miles around the mainland by paddling an average of 25 miles per day. If the weather and tides are kind they’ll look to complete 30 – 35 miles to make up for the inevitable days stranded in tents waiting for the conditions to improve.
They are raising money for some of their favourite charities along the way and would welcome any support you can give and help motivate the guys to complete the challenge.
Midlifekayak 
great stuff Andy and Tanya,,Hope it all works out well for you.
You have certainly put in the hours to warrant ” Time Out ”
don’t over do it.
Thanks Roger. Look forward to seeing you and Ivy down in Gerrans! Andy
I live in Menai Bridge on Anglesey. I have secure sea kayak storage right by the slipway and I live a short walk away. If I can be of any help on your trip please don’t hesitate to ask. I can offer floor space, warm showers and free beer. I can also pick you up and deliver within the area.
Hi Phil,
That’s really generous of you! Thank you. In fact we have a place to stay on Anglesey sorted but it would be great to meet up and share a couple of beers and and pick your brains for any tips as we head up the rest of the west coast!
Cheers
Andy
Hi guys
All seems 2b well so far, may it continue. Does your gadgetry show how many miles or kms you travel each day, we would be interested to know.
Go well, tot siens, bon voyage
Roger W
Hi guys,
lovely to see your first days have gone well, video clips are fun, though you may not live the ‘waitress’ comments down for a while!!
keep safe,
AG
Met you at Nant Y Big. Good work men. I reflected a little on how my walk was a bit small by comparison.
Thanks for the interview. I hope and pray your journey will be a blissful one.
all the best
Sam Christie
Hi Sam, good to meet you and by now you must have finished your amazing walk! Best of luck with the film and PHD.
Andy and Geoff
Hi Andy.Having dinner at the Royal Standard and sitting next to your wife who told us what you are up to. Wow – we are very impressed and would like support you too. We’ll keep up with your progress as you go. Best regards Paul & Lynne
Very unusual to find Tanya in The Standard!!! Not 🙂
That’s great thank you!
Just caught sight of you all paddling out of the harbour at Portpatrick on Wednesday – the sun was shining and the sea was calm. We wish you many more days like this – good luck and stay safe. Best regards, Chris & Julie Jenkins
Jake Hay found your sun glasses leave you address with the harbour master and well post them back
Hi Jake
Thanks but they’re not our sunglasses. We’ve still got ours!
Hope you are well!
Cheers
Andy
Hi guys – we watched you launch today at North Berwick after lunch at the Rocketeer. As a recent kayaking convert I am in awe of your challenge. All the best with the rest of your journey. One question tho – what’s in the orange bags around your waists?
Hi Fiona, you should have come and said hello. We always like a chat about kayaking!
The orange bags are ‘throw tows’ – really good bit of kit that we use for rescues and towing. The one we use was designed by Jeff Allen an probably the best one on the market. Fortunately we haven’t had to use them on this trip!
Andy
Hi guys,
We are from Henshaw CE First School and we met you yesterday at Holy Island. We really enjoyed talking to you especially about how you actually go to the toilet when you are on your Kayaks.
Where are you today?
We hope you are well.
Class 3
Dear Mrs Forsyth and Class 3
Thank you for your note. It was lovely to meet you all on Holy Island. What a tremendous send off you gave us too!
Today we are in Newbiggin By the Sea. The RNLI Station here are very kindly looking after our kayaks for us tonight.
Hope you all had a fabulous time on Holy Island.
Andy and Geoff
Met you guys on 9th about 6Km from Hastings. We stopped and chatted. What an inspiration you are!! I listened to Andy enthusing about some of his experiences and wished that it was me in the Explorer instead of the Easky. As we paddled away Paul said to me ‘I can almost hear your brain ticking from here Dave’. I wanted to turn to starboard and just keep going to France! Who needs to read about it when you can be told stories first hand. Thanks guys and safe paddling for the rest of your journey. P.S. The brain is still ticking loudly!!
Hi Dave
Thanks for the note. Great to meet you guys. We were both beginning to flag that morning and stopping to chat helped perk us up for the next few miles. Glad to hear your thinking of a challenge yourself. Let us know what you decide!
Cheers Andy and Geoff
Hi, just a ‘hello’ and great to now read about your fanatastic efforts and voyage.. from the guy in the orange ‘sit-on’ kayak off Peacehaven on Friday
Hi guys, great work, I attepmted the same journey last year starting in london but only got halfway, I was completely solo which slowed me down too much, once again congrats!
Take our hats off to anyone that attempts this solo. Have no idea how anyone could manage it! Even half way is an incredible achievement. Thanks for your message John!
Hi Andy and Tanya
Great to see that Andy is off on his travels again.. Loving the daily or sometimes twice daily updates.
Tanya – I tried to email you. Please do let me know when you are over Falmouth way. Am still in Penryn. Finally got a permanent job at the Uni. Am in the middle of selling my flat in London so I can buy down here.
Be lovely to meet up with you. I am very happy to pop over your way.
cheers
Juliet x
Juliet Walshe
http://www.julietwalshe.com
mob: 07919 411397
Hi Andy, have just found your website (delighted) and now recall hearing about your earlier voyages with your shipmate Geoff. Very serendipitous to have conversed so casually at Brandon Pier this afternoon. Not often you meet people with such amazing experiences to relate. I grew up by the sea in Dorset, Devon and many times in Cornwall. The sea is in my blood through Cornish fishing ancestry and if you ever have time to take a look you’ll see my mixed media artworks reflect this love. I will follow your voyage. My website (needs updating) is http://www.suehook.net. Best of luck.🙂
Sue, it was so lovely to chat to you earlier. It’s conversations like that which enrich our journey. And if you ever get to Cornwall, come visit. Look forward to checking your website!
Hi there. Walked my dog as usual to pier 40 mins ago n saw kayaks n bivouacs still there. Was tempted to ‘knock’ on tent and ask if you two wanted scrambled eggs n a shower…but chickened out.! Safe onward journey. I will follow.
Hi Sue. Ah that’s lovely of you. The wind picked up more than forecast so we are here one more day. Just off for a walk. X