Midlifekayak

A few snaps of our current location. We are in the Beach Hotel, apparently where Malcolm Campbell stayed when he was breaking land speed records on the sands.

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Day 14 was a long and eventful day. Will tell all in a blog very soon but the highlight of the day was spending the morning with Cara, Adam and Sophie from the RNLI team at Cefn Sidan Sands. They were fab and helped us with the latest forecast and even drive down the beach for 3 miles to check out the firing range plans for the day. How helpful is that! They have some really cool kit too although it is clear they would really like a jet ski too (especially Sophie). Unfortunately the range was in use and so we had to delay our start and ended up the day with an F6 headwind and very slow progress. Still, 14 miles done on a bad weather day. Looking forward to this weather improving!

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Good news, forecast looks ok for crossing over to Wales tomorrow. 22 miles from Ilfracombe to Port Eynon. We’ll split the tide evenly. We set off at 8am, three and a half hours before high water so we’ll be taken east for the first half but then as the tide ebbs we’ll be heading west again. Our only challenge is to keep on a 350 degree bearing and hope the pain of sitting in a kayak for 7 hours doesn’t get too much!

Will post an update tomorrow night if we have a signal.

Night all
Andy, Geoff, Mike

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Amazing paddle along the last of the north Cornwall coast and into Devon today. Incredible cliffs and waterfalls. We turned right at Hartland Point and pulled into the stunning village of Clovelly. Will be on the harbour wall tonight and off at 5.30 tomorrow morning to catch the last of the flood tide. Aiming for Ilfracombe tomorrow and then when we have a weather window, we’ll be making our way across the Bristol Channel.

Blisters and sore backs abound but all the niggles seem manageable at the moment. We may be seeking out a sports massage though in Ilfracombe!

Caroline (Mike’s wife) was so good to us over the weekend with shopping, finding a campsite and even doing some washing for us. Well beyond the call of duty. Thanks Caroline!

The picture is of the harbour at Clovelly. Thanks for all your messages of support. Great to read them at the end of a days paddling.

Fundraising is now at £7,800!

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Sorry for not providing an update sooner but wi-fi not always available in harbours and on beaches!

Been a fabulous 6 days so far. We left Portscatho after a wonderful send off from friends. Thank you so much.

Day 1 we paddled 18 miles in some very lumpy water (after the stormy weather we had had) across Carrick Roads and on passed the Manacles and round Bass Point. We stopped at Sennan Cove and camped in the beach. We reflected on the adventure we have embarked upon in front of a camp fire.

Day 2 26 miles Round Lizard and across Mounts Bay to Mousehole. After a few beers and some food (in that order!) we spent the night on the harbour wall.

Day 3 12 miles round Lands End in almost dead calm conditions. We stopped for a stretch and to take some photos at Porthcurno and the Minac Theatre. A fisherman shouted that we’d be alright as we had the tide “right up yer arses”. Deliberately a short day to help our bodies get into the day to day paddle routine. We stopped at Sennan and had a fantastic camping spot in the lifeguards hut.

Day 4 26 miles to Portreath. Good day to start with but we got the timing of the tides slightly wrong and ended the day with a tough paddle against the stream and bounced around on the races as we pulled into Portreath. Caroline arrived late that night to see Mike. We all were acutely aware we hadn’t had a shower for 4 days now and did warn Caroline before she hugged us all.

Day 5 Joined today by a paddling friend Joe Shelverton. It was so good of him to give up a day of his bank holiday to come and see us. He joined us for a couple of hours as we headed out. Slow progress that day and as we headed around towards Perranporth the wind whipped up to a strong force 5 gusting 6 and we were struggling to make 2Kn We called it a day. No sense in battling the elements for small miles – rather wait for better weather and push. Another night on the beach.

Day 6. Cracking paddle today. 28 miles to Port Graverne. We got a great push from both wind and tide, averaging just over 4 Kn compared to 2 Kn the day before.

Tomorrow we’ll be out of Cornwall and into Devon. We may be in Wales by mid week (depending on weather).

After all the planning this week has been a little surreal. We are all excited and enjoying that start to this journey but missing our other halves and friends. Our spirits are high despite some nerves and apprehension but our modest early progress has given us some confidence that we might actually do this. We can even look at the map of Britain any more – just the next few days of coastline. One day at a time.

Thanks for all your support. Great to see so many messages from everyone. The team really appreciate them!

Will post some photos later. Off back to the tent now.

PS For friends taking part in The Royal Standard sweapstake – the team took their first shower on Day 6 (today)

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Thanks to all those who have supported us so far and particularly to those who gave us such a great send off from Portscatho yesterday. We’re now in Mousehole and will be pushing round Land’s End tomorrow. But for now there is beer to be drunk in The Ship Inn!!

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Mike was chuffed to bits this week as he took delivery of his brand new P&H Cetus care of Pete Baars at Summit to Sea.  Mike who lives in the landlocked home counties had to settle for the Thames for a trial paddle but initial impressions are very positive.  Meanwhile Geoff and I are starting to get kit envy (again).

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