I tested two shiney toys out, early this morning.
The silly photos should give you a clue as to what the first toy was; I just spent a sum equivalent to the economy of a small Latin American nation on a fisheye lens for my camera. Expect to see lots of these gimmicky pictures, until the novelty wears off. It’s a safe bet that it will wear off for you the viewer long before it wears off for me …
The second toy was a PH Capella 167. This rather garish red and yellow boat was loaned to us by PH Kayaks, rather convenient really given that my PH Cetus is still far away up in the far north of Scotland, kindly being looked after by Cailean Macleod. The Capella has already been taken out to St Kilda and Brittany by my wife* during August, but this was my first try in the glass version of this classic jack-of-all-trades design. All good, I enjoyed taking it for a lively spot of surfing in the reefs and tide races around Old Harry Rocks. I even managed not to break it, something I have an unfortunate habit of doing with borrowed property.
PH apparently have a big backlog of custom kayak orders and can’t keep up with demand, so non-custom models of the Capella 167 are now being manufactured in Europe to maintain availability for those who want their sea kayak now. PH say they are very happy with the construction quality and indeed, we couldn’t spot any issues with our loaned boat (apart from the colour scheme). So, expect to keep seeing pics of the garish red boat for as long as we can avoid/ignore PH’s calls and emails asking for it back …
By the way, if anyone fancies a quick Dorset test drive, drop me an email – markATukriversguidebookDOTcoDOTuk.
*Heather keeps promising to do some ‘guest blogging’ and post here about her exotic summer trips. Watch this space.
Mark,
Your Cetus is starting it’s road trip from the Northern hinterlands to Dorest, tomorrow. First leg – Thurso to Skye. Second Leg – Skye to Ayrshire. Possible in a shed for a couple of weeks and then into the hands of that well known kayaking empire for onward transit to Warickshire.
ooh – capella 167! Have been reading the P&H catalogue each evening trying to decide on a new boat to ‘save up’ for. Looking for a bit of an all-rounder so the Capella on paper fits the bill – looking forward to hearing more about it and may even try to get in touch for a trial – if I can get a pass out from nappy changing duties!!
Mark, have you paddled P&H’s new plastic boat – the Scorpio?
Will, I haven’t paddled a Scorpio but have seen a prototype – it’s a slightly smaller version of the Cetus.
Dunks, let me know whenever you want to try the Capella …
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