Kayak across the Irish Sea: Training and Post paddle scoff

Sea Moose on the Moose Mobile

Does my arse look big in this? Jules's boat that Moose loved paddling.

Right on brother!

Cool as a Moose? Leave that one up to you?!

Moose, Jules and I had decided to do a relaxing training paddle in Poole harbour but we seemed to leave the 'relaxing' part in the vans!

It blew an absolute hooley and on the way from Lake pier to the western end of Brownsea island we enjoyed the wind being behind us and surfing the waves.

Jules was in her new Xcite, Moose in his Explorer HV and me STILL in my old faithful the washing up bowl called a Carolina...Grrrrr don't get me started about the delivery of my new kayak!

We paddled around the southern side of Brownsea and we had the shelter from the wind which was pleasant. When we started to paddle around the eastern end of the island we were then confronted by the onslaught of the Northerly winds again. The wind was so strong that no matter how hard Jules paddled the wind got the better of her and began to sweep her across the bay. It was then we decided to paddle onto the island and Moose being the gallant type of chap he is offered to swap boats as his slightly heavier boat might be an advantage to Jules with her paddling.

It was then that seats had to be adjusted and when Moose got back in the boat a freak wave or two decided to join him and got his cotton trousers wet! Remember it is blowing a hooley and not the warmest day! I kept warm by the steam coming out of his ears!

We then took it in turns to help tow Jules back to lake Pier and I was cooking nicely in my dry suit by the time we had got back. Even though it was an eventful paddle and far from relaxing I had a great time! We finished the day with some food and a warm up in Jazzy B's on Poole Quay...very nice. The hot chocolate was impressive. Not only was it full of calories it must of had some skin softening effects as Moose decided to put some on his nose!