Willard

Scotland 2006

I’m hoping to head off on this years’ Big Trip soon. But not soon enough. Starting six weeks from now in the last week of July, I have six weeks in which to attempt to complete the entire West Coast of Scotland in one go, solo. This paddle is part of my rather prolonged paddle around Britain and has been postponed on two successive years. I’ve cleared my whole schedule and absolutely won’t let anything interfere with my plans this time!

It’s six weeks away, and I’m already clawing the walls with nervous anticipation. I wake up thinking about the West Coast. Every good weather day spent at work (like today) makes me despair. I worry that the years’ good weather has already been and gone. I worry that I’ll just face wave after wave of low pressure systems right through August into September. I worry that I’m not fit enough. I worry that every minor ache and strain in my body will develop into something serious. I worry that I haven’t spent enough time in a boat preparing. I worry about 1001 things, all of them entirely credible and possible reasons why the trip won’t succeed.

I want and need to get out there, now.

“Saigon… shit; I’m still only in Saigon…”

 

3 Responses to “Willard”


  1. 1 Dunks June 10, 2008 at 6:28 pm

    Oh how I know that feeling – rare escape from work at lunch today and sat for 5mins at Highcliffe Beach looking out at the needles bathed in glorious sunshine. Fingers crossed the weather holds for you!

  2. 2 Mark June 10, 2008 at 7:31 pm

    Hi Dunks – sadly the sunshine isn’t due to last to the weekend …

    Mark


  1. 1 Groundhog Day « South West Sea Kayaking Trackback on June 29, 2008 at 9:41 pm

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South West Sea Kayaking

South West Sea Kayaking

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Please enjoy previews of 'South West Sea Kayaking' here and here.

About this blog

During 2006-8 I researched, photographed and wrote 'South West Sea Kayaking', a detailed guide to the coasts and islands of South West England; from the Bristol Channel to the Isle of Wight.

'Savage Shores: Britain's Coastal Environment' is the working title of the book currently being researched and written by my wife Heather and myself for Pesda Press. The book aims to explain the climate, geology, landforms, natural history and human history of the coastal environment to walkers, sea kayakers and others enjoying this wonderful part of Britain's natural heritage.

This blog is intended to keep you up to date with our progress and adventures in working on the book.

Pesda Press Titles

 

South West Sea KayakingSea Kayak with Gordon Brown DVD

 

Rock Trails Lakeland Rock Trails Snowdonia

 

Sea Kayak Handling Scottish Sea Kayak Trail

 

Sit-on-Top Kayak Sea Kayak Navigation

 

Welsh Sea Kayaking Sea Kayak

 

The Northern Isles Scottish Sea Kayaking

 

Oileáin English White Water

 

Scottish White Water Kayak Rolling

 

British Canoe Union Coaching Handbook BCU Canoe & Kayak Handbook

 

Kayak Surfing The Seamanship Pocketbook

 

Scottish Canoe Classics Scottish Canoe Touring

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