Fenton's Blog

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2011-06-25T21:27:00.001+01:00

Preparing to cut out the new bulkhead.
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2011-06-25T21:26:00.001+01:00

The new mast hog. The ply used was once part of a very old floor out of an inflatable! Real quality marine ply.....
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2011-06-25T21:24:00.001+01:00

Well, the cover is off 7623 and work has recommenced!
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First Ray caught

2011-05-28T23:19:00.001+01:00

Mulroy produced my first Kayak caught fish in the form of a nice Thornback Ray. I actually landed 3 Rays and a Dogfish over the weekend so was well pleased. The craic was good despite the not so perfect weather!

Hunt for the great Raymondo...........

2011-05-06T22:00:00.000+01:00

Off to Donegal with the Yak for the weekend to target thornback rays..............should be a laugh as quite a crowd going. I really need to break my Yak angling duck :-)

I hate sickness....

2011-03-21T13:40:00.001Z

Was planning a Yak trip for Seatrout tomorrow, tides right,wind right,temp right so guess what happened over the weekend.............yes, another bloody chest infection has set in and I feel lousy. I daren't risk it with my asthma or I could well end up with Pneumonia or worse. Antibiotics arriving shortly so postponing the trip until Friday. This exact same thing happened the last time I had a trip planned in near perfect conditions..........still, it could be worse as my pal Andy is currently battling through a session of Chemo. Keep it going buddy!

Long time

2011-03-18T18:30:00.000Z

Well it's been a while since I was here. I have been very busy with renovating and moving house and quite simply have not had time for anything else! With the lighter evenings etc I can now think about continuing on with a few projects which were mothballed last year, 505-7623 being one of them. I need to repair the Optimist for the boys too to try and encourage them back onto the water. I hope to get out in the Kayak next week for a spot of fishing weather permitting. It's Seatrout time of year and I have never caught one. As for my Geneaology projects.......well........the house stuff had to take priority so it looks like next winter before any work can be done on that. Summer's coming and lots to do....

New Zealand

2010-12-13T11:04:00.000Z

Having returned recently from the Antipodes I must say what a wonderful country New Zealand is. Stunning scenery, nice climate and a society which has not yet degenerated into a UK type of nanny state full of dole bludging wasters. Virtually no rubbish or graffiti and thousands of square miles of forested mountains...............bliss.

Inactivity

2010-12-13T10:34:00.000Z

What with moving departments at work and all associated things, visiting New Zealand for 3 weeks, buying and renovating the new house, Billy awaiting a heart by pass and me just generally not having enough hours in the day, no work whatsoever has been carried out on 505 7623. It looks like it will be springtime before any resumption of works.

Rain rain go to Spain....

2010-08-04T10:28:00.000+01:00

I am now getting really annoyed with the weather! Every bit of time off I have it seems to rain.................I love summer don't you? Have a shed load of work to do to the 505 and have no shed to do it in! Very frustrating..............

505 Rebuild

2010-07-26T11:59:00.000+01:00

New mast step underway. Shimmed and fitted next to CB case. Making up the mahogany cheeks next for the blocks etc. New section of CB case top being made and then its time to cut the new bulkhead .... It's actually quite fun doing all this but the weather is very frustrating. If it was inside the job could be done quite quickly.
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505 Rebuild

2010-07-18T15:48:00.001+01:00

Work on the 505 is very slow due to too many wet days and no sign of any let up next week. Completion is more likely to be 2011 at this rate! At least rebuilding of the mast step has begun having dug out all the old one now right back to the CB casing.
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My new project......lost treasure

2010-06-22T10:41:00.000+01:00

I obviously have far too much time on my hands (not)! Having recently spotted this 505 Dinghy on a website and realising it was the boat that I admired the most in the 80's at RNIYC, 7623 "The Treasure of The Sierra Madre", I have purchased it and begun it's restoration. Unfortunately it has been sadly neglected and requires considerable work to replace rotted timber and carry out a comprehensive rebuild. It's a shame as the boat has done very little work in it's lifetime so the hull/tanks have no stress fractures at all. I am hoping to have it ready for the middle of August....time will tell.

And that's just the start!

I still have to do some work on the thwarts and fillets around the CB case and also sort out the floor at the transom where there is damage and water seeping out. A few holes to drill to allow drying to take place........not to mention putting it all back together again with hundreds of £'s worth of timber/epoxy/finishes and completely re-rigging the boat! Centreboard (gybing) and rudder to be repaired and refaired.......bailers to be serviced....everything inside to to be repainted and the hull outer touched up here and there and buffed...

Hmmmmmmm......August 2011 perhaps! Oh, I nearly forgot to mention new road trailer wheels/tyres......

Sponsorship Update

2010-06-22T09:59:00.000+01:00

£1727 to date. I don't really anticipate any more than this and still have some collecting of pledges to do before passing the proceeds to the Charity. Thanks very much to all who have donated! It's been tough but fun.

Sponsorship Update

2010-06-09T00:00:00.000+01:00

I have personally raised £1617 so far. I am not sure what Andy has raised but I think it is something similar. We are still accepting payments!

Arrival Killaloe

2010-06-07T16:13:00.001+01:00

After a pretty horrific trip from Dromineer through squalls and cross winds we have decided, after 210 miles and 66 hours 39 minutes paddling time that enough is enough. The target was no less than 200 miles. We averaged 3.2 mph for the trip which is very good for fully loaded sit on tops with no rudders. Bodies are aching and the minds are numb (no change there then) so that's it folks, the end, no more, le fin. Thanks to everyone who has supported us financially and otherwise, it is all very much appreciated. Looking forward to a comfy bed tonight and no paddling tomorrow!
Fenton, Andy and Caoimhe the kayaking dog!
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Day 12

2010-06-07T10:35:00.001+01:00

Have left Dromineer in the rain and a gusting South Easterly which is more manageable than yesterday. About 18 miles in total to the finish.....
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Arrival LDYC

2010-06-06T18:50:00.000+01:00

After a very hairy last 3 mls When the conditions went from ideal to horrific in about 5 mins (typical Lough Derg) we have eventually arrived at Lough Derg Yacht Club. Rigged up some Yak transport to the nearby campsite! Very glad to have made it this far in one piece :-) 27 mls today....another 13 mls or so tomorrow will take us to Killaloe which may end up being the finish line for us. We need to make enquiries ref the Ardnacrusha canal and lock to see if we can make it to Limerick city.
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Derg

2010-06-06T16:16:00.001+01:00

Approx 5 mls to Lough Derg YC at Dromineer. Hard going with a wind shifting around West to SWest. Right paddle correcting all the time....sunny though and it could be a lot worse!
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Lunch stop

2010-06-06T13:32:00.001+01:00

Stopped for a snack at Portumna Bridge. Heading off shortly into Lough Derg to tackle the last major obstacle of the trip. Hope the weather holds up....
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Day 11

2010-06-06T08:54:00.001+01:00

After some very heavy rain earlier we are now setting off for the Lock and Portumna before hopefully entering Lough Derg. Won't know what the wind situation is until we get there. Derg is a law unto itself.
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Night stop

2010-06-05T21:47:00.001+01:00

After a tough but necessary 27 mls today we have set up camp south of Banagher. Both of us are wrecked...early night on the cards. Tomorrow morning will take us through Victoria Lock and its about 11 mls from here to Lough Derg. Should be into it by lunchtime weather permitting. We will try to make it to Lough Derg Yacht Club at Dromineer but it will be a tall order if the winds stay from the South.
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Shannon Bridge

2010-06-05T15:41:00.001+01:00

Arrival at Shannon Bridge for some supplies. Very difficult today between high heat to start followed by headwinds which are building. Looks like a front coming in. Physically and mentally tired which will make the next 10 miles or so a nightmare :-(
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Day 10

2010-06-05T08:56:00.001+01:00

Sunny with a light south westerly which is bound to build when we get on the water! Heading for Athlone Lock and onwards to Banagher. Hope/need to do 25 mls today no matter what...
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Sunset on Lough Ree

2010-06-04T21:52:00.001+01:00

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Arrival LRYC

2010-06-04T16:48:00.001+01:00

Arrived Lough Ree Yacht Club. Going to set up here for the night as both exhausted after a really tough day. The bad news is that the Club Bar opens at 20:00 hrs ! Head for Athlone lock tomorrow morning when it opens at 09:00 hrs. Looking forward to a shower and a shave...
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Wind effing wind

2010-06-04T11:10:00.001+01:00

First 2-3 miles today straight into steady force 4 with steep narrow trough waves....really tough and a bit scary to be honest! Yaks are top heavy with all the gear we have + Caoimhe the dog! Thankfully it has eased a bit now and having a tea stop at Millstone Point. Hoping now for a 11 mile straight paddle to the river mouth at Lough Ree Yacht Club.
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Day 9

2010-06-04T08:55:00.000+01:00

Setting off into Lough Ree. Moderate headwind,hopefully won't strengthen otherwise its a dash to shore! Sunny and warm though showers forecast. Need to do 27 miles today to catch up. Achievable? We'll see......
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Night stop

2010-06-03T19:28:00.001+01:00

Owing to serious headwinds gusting to force 5/6 we had to stop 6 miles short today. Set up camp at Lanesborough. Too dangerous to venture further into Lough Ree. Bodies not in good shape after that paddle!
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Day 8

2010-06-03T06:55:00.000+01:00

Setting off in an hour or so towards Termonbarry Lock and onwards into Lough Ree. Could be tough as there is a bit of breeze outside the tent. Need to do 20 mls minimum today.
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Camping on the Shannon

2010-06-02T21:33:00.000+01:00

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Halfway

2010-06-02T18:59:00.001+01:00

With our arrival at Roosky we are now halfway through the trip. :-)
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Arrival Roosky for the night

2010-06-02T18:56:00.001+01:00

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Cooling off

2010-06-02T17:34:00.002+01:00

Andy and Caoimhe cooling off in Lough Boderg!
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Lunch stop

2010-06-02T14:16:00.001+01:00

Stopped about a mile past Carrick on Shannon for a snack. Beautiful day though stiff breeze against every so often. At least the flow is with us now. Andy's latest mishap (yes there's been a few) is his cooker solvent has leaked all over his clothes and chocolate supply....trying hard to stifle a chuckle :-)
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Day 7

2010-06-02T10:45:00.000+01:00

Bad reception down here so may not be able to update as often as I would like from now on. Day 7 now, 92 mls done so far so by end of today we are halfway there. In Leitrim stocking up. Weather warm and dry. 20 odd miles to do now to Roosky.
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Camp

2010-06-01T20:48:00.000+01:00

Set up for the night 2 miles short of Leitrim due to 2 locks not working for us which meant portage of all gear and yaks....no fun when you're knackered! Early night I think. Big miles to do tomorrow.
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Stop off

2010-06-01T15:03:00.000+01:00

Stopped off at Keshcarrigan for a snack, shower (much needed) and to wash a few clothes. Have another 8 miles and 8 locks to do today. Will be setting up camp late tonight.....
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Day 6

2010-06-01T09:53:00.000+01:00

After a very heavy rainfall most of the night the river will be harder going today as we are still against the flow for about another 5 miles or so until it switches in our favour. Slightly later start this morning as we have only approx 12 miles to do today but 9 locks to pass through which will be time consuming. Forecast ok for today though still a stiff gusting breeze. Next stop is beyond Leitrim for tonight.
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Set up for the night south of Ballinamore. Pouring with rain but we are in good cover with plenty of supplies! Might be a late one :-)

2010-05-31T19:56:00.000+01:00

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Ballinamore

2010-05-31T15:25:00.001+01:00

Arrived in Ballinamore. Stocking up at Supervalu and first food of the day from the chippy! Very hungry..... A few more miles to do before we set up for the night. Saw a lovely Kingfisher earlier on the Ballinamore canal. About 77 miles in total so far :-)
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Arrival Skellan Lock.

2010-05-31T09:18:00.001+01:00

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Off again.

2010-05-31T08:57:00.000+01:00

Setting off now for Ballinamore via Lake Garadice. Windy and cooler. Not a great sleep last night :-(
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Camp for the night 3 miles south of Ballyconnell. Fed and watered and some nice Trout rising in the river....Andy is getting the fly rod set up.

2010-05-30T21:13:00.000+01:00

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Arrival Ballyconnell after an eventful but enjoyable day! Locks and Yaks.....not a good mix ....survived to tell the tale though and the fact that Germans were involved didn't amuse Andy.

2010-05-30T17:45:00.001+01:00

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Left the Share Centre in a stiff Northerly breeze. Hard work first thing! Heading now for the Woodford River and the Shannon-Erne Waterway. Another Nav error has added 3 miles or so! Wind behind, sun shining :-)

2010-05-30T11:58:00.000+01:00

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Set up at holiday share centre. 25 miles today, very tired and sore! Heavy rain mostly but light winds thankfully. A hot shower has fixed me and the Carlsberg is numbing the aches! Lots more donations received, THANK YOU! Keep them coming!

2010-05-29T20:13:00.000+01:00

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Carrybridge for lunch. Great steak! Another 7 miles to the night stop. Wish the rain would stop!

2010-05-29T14:10:00.000+01:00

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Breakfast before heading for Enniskillen and Carrybridge for lunch. Rained all night and cooler this morning. Getting used to this camping lark :-)

2010-05-29T07:40:00.000+01:00

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Camp for the night on Trasna Island. 23 miles done.....only another 10 of those to go....easy peasy lemon sqeezy ;-)

2010-05-28T18:54:00.001+01:00

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Lunch! Courtesy of Andys fly rod....it was fantastic done on the BBQ I brought.

2010-05-28T12:37:00.001+01:00

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First night's camp on the Belleek River. My first proper camping ever!

2010-05-27T20:10:00.001+01:00

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Almost ready to go, just need 2 Brixton Briefcases for under my arms! ;-)

2010-05-27T17:43:00.001+01:00

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The off

2010-05-27T11:57:00.001+01:00

Getting ready now to head for the starting line, with a certain amount of trepidation I would add! Keep the donations coming please to keep my spirits up!

Sponsorship Update

2010-05-25T23:51:00.001+01:00

Total to date £1432. Thanks to all who have donated so far.

Not long now...

2010-05-25T14:09:00.004+01:00

With just a few days to go I am sorting all the kit I will need for this 200+ mile journey.....how on earth am I going to fit all this in the Yak? I have always worked on the premise of "better looking at it than looking for it" but I am seriously going to have to make a few cuts! Having been ill for the last week or more I have not had any exercise at all but it's too late now to be worrying about a minor thing like fitness......I'll be as tight as a boxer after a couple of days of paddling!
Thanks to everyone who has donated so far and I am hoping by the end of all this to have raised somewhere around £1500-1600 for charity.
Providing my phone doesn't go overboard I will be keeping this blog updated on a daily basis with narrative and hopefully some nice pictures as well.
3 days to kick off.... :-)

There is still time to donate at fentonparsons.com or use the Donate Button on the left of this page.
Thank You.

Sponsorship Update

2010-05-21T18:00:00.002+01:00

My sponsorship total to date is £1422. Thanks to everyone who has donated.
If you wish to donate please go to www.fentonparsons.com

6 days to go...........!

Strangford Lough Paddle

2010-05-05T00:11:00.000+01:00

Not having been out for a while and in the knowledge that the trip is looming ever closer I headed off to Whiterock this morning for a change of scenery. I made my way down to Killyleagh via Ringhaddy Sound. A quick lunch stop near East Down YC as the flooding tide was starting to gain momentum. I have never had to paddle so hard as I did all the way back to Whiterock, the worst stretch being the Southern entrance to Ringhaddy where a strengthening wind against tide made life very difficult. All in all a good workout but would not want to be out in anything worse than that! 14.7 miles in total.

Cycle

2010-04-20T04:11:00.000+01:00

Out on the bike today for a short while and managed around 8.5 miles, mostly uphill work. Hard going after a very long lunch yesterday....

Shore Fishing

2010-04-17T18:36:00.000+01:00

Went up North to Cushendun beach last night with a couple of friends to do a little beach fishing. I was hoping for a some flounder and possibly plaice though it may be a few weeks early for them. In the end, Paul and Kevin managed a few coalies and codling between them and I finished with a big fat zero Didn't get to bed until 2.30am......

Paddle Practice

2010-04-12T04:40:00.000+01:00

Managed to get out today on Belfast Lough. Covered 16.5 miles which was less than I planned however it's still the longest distance I have done in a day. Tried a bit of fishing in the Crawfordsburn area but no joy

Cycle

2010-04-10T03:01:00.000+01:00

With the lack of paddle practice recently I had to get out for a cycle. Did a quick 10.6 miles down the coast road against the wind. Out for an hour in total. Hope to get out for a paddle tomorrow in the good weather

Gym

2010-04-09T02:11:00.000+01:00

Managed a short session today. I think more outdoors exercise is called for as the gym is an unpleasant experience with the air conditioning etc.

Bad Weather

2010-04-06T23:34:00.000+01:00

The bad weather this past week has meant no paddle practice at all.......time is short!

Gym

2010-04-02T03:47:00.000+01:00

A couple of sessions this week, starting to loosen up a bit!

Paddle Practice

2010-03-29T05:45:00.000+01:00

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

2010-03-26T00:59:00.000Z

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

2010-03-24T00:45:00.000Z

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

Belfast Lough Paddle Practice

2010-03-18T05:00:00.000Z

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

2010-03-17T00:10:00.000Z

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

2010-03-09T06:07:00.000Z

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

2010-03-07T05:42:00.000Z

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!

2010-03-06T00:28:00.000Z

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