Archive for May 2010
In South West Sea Kayaking, I wrote regarding Worbarrow Bay in Dorset,
“…surely a contender for England’s prettiest scenery?”
We went for a stroll there at the weekend. I see no reason to change my judgement.
In other news …
At the weekend I turn 40, and we take a ferry to the Channel Islands to go paddling.
Having paddled at the Britain’s southern extremity, a few weeks later we are booked on a ferry taking us to Britain’s northern extremity, the Shetland Isles.
I finally have a date for this year’s South West Sea Kayak Meet, which IS going ahead; 4th and 5th September. More info to follow…
Like this:
Like Loading...
Last night we walked to a favourite spot on the coast just a few miles from our house, Dancing Ledge. Extensive quarrying in the last two centuries opened up a sizeable chink in the Purbeck cliffs here, and the quarrymen even carved out a small tidal swimming pool for local schoolboys. We donned wetsuits and sampled the pool, before leaping out screaming and jumping instead into (oddly) much warmer sea.
We camped, as always enjoying a much more restful and lengthy sleep than we might have managed back at home. As the sun went down, I convinced myself that I could see shore lights 65 miles away right across the English Channel, including those of the island of Alderney (where we hope to be paddling in two weeks’ time). Heather was pretty sceptical, and was irritatingly proved right when it became clear that the lights were moving up and down the Channel…
Early this morning, I grabbed my camera gear and climbed along the cliffs to the location of Purbeck’s small puffin colony, in the hope that they might perform for me. However, rather unobligingly, they proved unwilling to make an appearance. After a while of peering fruitlessly at their ledge through a very long lens, I began to notice the maritime plants around me. I changed lens and pointed the camera in a different direction …
Like this:
Like Loading...
The fellow above was purchased today from the fish market at Lulworth Cove. Served with linguine and cream, he made a splendid evening meal.
Earlier, Heather and I had ventured out from the Cove to explore the incredible geological features close by. It was a cold and windy day, but it was good to re-visit this remarkable coast.
The peculiar circular formations are best explained by Dr Lizzie.
Like this:
Like Loading...
That’s me after yesterday’s marathon. I just about survived and crawled over the finish line in 3.41. I usually find running distance to be quite relaxing; I just zone out and plod along. For whatever reason (lack of recent training? not used to tarmac?) my legs objected strongly from about five miles onwards, making it a remarkably sore experience, easily the most painful thing I’ve ever done.* The good news was the phenomenal support I’ve received in this undertaking, which is what kept me going for the full distance.
I also had great support from four close friends who entered and completed the marathon as a Relay team; Claire, Lisa, Alice, Andy. Andy joined the team at the last moment as my wife is poorly.
Today I’m confined to the sofa, as my legs aren’t working too well!
Some bad news, I’m afraid; the South West Sea Kayak Meet will not take place this summer. I might manage to get it going for the late autumn, but unfortunately I’ve (despite a fair few efforts) been unable to pin down a date in the next few months that suits all involved. Sorry! Watch this space for updates.
*And I’ve sat through the entire length of the 2006 remake of ‘The Wicker Man’, in the cinema.
Like this:
Like Loading...
