Paddle Practice

Hoped to get out onto Belfast Lough today to attempt a 20 mile trip with ballast but unfortunately the wind was a bit strong so I headed for the Quoile River and did the 11 mile return trip in a strong breeze at an average of 3.6 mph. I think the AC/DC on the MP3 helped! The Yak was still unladen so it will be a different story once I start carrying ballast to simulate all the gear needed for the trip. The 28th May does not seem far away.......
Today was the first test of my new Yak Kestrel dry trousers and Palm Merrell Gradient boots. I also tried new Sealskinz socks and a Helly Hansen Base Layer. Well pleased with everything and the first time I haven't had cold feet in the Yak

Gym

Another short session at the gym today. Pretty sore after Tuesday, not as supple as I used to be
Still, I should be as fit as a butchers dog in a few weeks...............

Back to the Gym

Returned to the Gym today after a very long lay off and quickly remembered how mind numbingly boring it is.

Belfast Lough Paddle Practice

That's the first time I have paddled two days in a row and boy will I know about it tomorrow! Was a little later than planned leaving Bangor in the flooding tide and as we rounded Pickie Point we knew we had a hard paddle ahead as there was a stiff breeze right on the nose
After the Quoile yesterday my right wrist tendon was up a bit so that concerned me a little as it was hard going. We made slowish progress and the tide was already turning by the time we reached Cultra so that was the lunch stop. Needless to say the wind died a little on the ebb which was disappointing as a surf or two on the way back would have been fun Having rounded Greys Point the tide was proving difficult as it wanted to push us in towards the shore and off our intended straight line to Bangor. My right wrist was flaring up so I went with the tide inshore and Andy continued on. It turned out to be a good move as the wind had backed to the South and was gusting up a bit. I managed to take advantage of the lea as Andy struggled with it further out. Although I probably paddled half a mile or more than him we met up again at Pickie Point at the same time It was a hard paddle back into the Marina as the wind gusted up again off the shore. We were very glad to get back! I probably covered about 14 miles or so.

Paddle Practice

Had a few hours to spare today so went up the Quoile River from Downpatrick to Annacloy and back, about 11 miles in total. Quite difficult as the wind was quite fresh, especially on the way back. Averaged about 3.5 mph. Hoping to do 20 odd miles tomorrow on Belfast Lough weather permitting.

Cultra to Crawfordsburn Paddle

I took advantage of the nice weather today to get some paddle practice
and I took the rods with me too in the hope of some new season Sea
Trout. Launched at Cultra a bit later than planned and had a stiff
paddle against tide and wind (not much to start with but got up West of
Grey Point). Absolutely no fish around at all, so having had lunch at
Crawfordsburn Beach I trolled with the rods out in the tidal flow back
to Cultra. A good 10-11 miles covered.

Quick Cycle

Did a quick 9 miles or so on the mountain bike today (yet another item which has been gathering dust the last few years). Had forgotten how uncomfortable the seat is even with padded cycle pants!
Good to get out in the sunshine but why oh why do you never have the camera with you when there are nice shots to be had?
Note to self-always carry your camera..........

Preparing for bodily punishment by Kayak!

Hi folks, having taken over a year to get to grips with setting up my Geneaology site (fentonparsons.com) I now find myself having to learn how to Blog......so here goes! Having taken up shore angling last year I came across anglers who were using kayaks to get to better fishing areas which were obviously beyond casting distance. Having done a little kayaking at school 30 odd years ago I thought I would have a go at that then! I sourced a used Ocean Prowler Elite 4.5 up North so having come home with that I began buying a few essentials for it. I seem to have been financially raped but it's always the same when you take up something new and want the best of everything....

To date I have been out paddling three times. The first time was about eight weeks ago up the Quoile River. I went with Andy (Prowler 15) and the river was seriously flooded with a fast flow. Hard work for a novice upstream.....although I think I managed around 5 odd miles all told. Was surprised at how little I suffered after it though my left wrist tendon was up for about a week or so and very painful. Once I had decided to do the Belleek to Limerick trip with Andy and Paul around May/June time I realised I needed to get some mileage in so 3 weeks ago Andy and I launched in the fog at Cultra and headed off down Belfast Lough to Bangor. I had forgotten how far it is on the water! Was pretty tired by Bangor so a coffee and a choc bar was very welcome on the Marina slipway. Bright sunshine and an increasing breeze on the nose was the order for the return trip. Grey Point never seemed to get any closer however eventually made it back to Cultra after a total of around 4 hours and 40 minutes paddling time. We had covered 14.5 miles and I was very happy to see RNIYC again! Virtually no after effects which surprised me. Last week Andy and I went up the Quoile for the start of the trout season. No fish caught however a further 11 odd miles notched up. Our trip is going to require us to paddle around 20-25 miles a day so a lot of work to do but really looking forward to it. Have been dieting the last two weeks and have lost 13lbs with two days to go...........I obviously had it to lose! This will jump start me into action as I have been very lazy the last two years or so. Will keep you all up to date with the training and fund raising. Cheers for now. FP