It was 0345 hours and there was thick sea mist at Wareham Quay and which I followed down into Poole Harbour. I telephoned Portland Coastguard to advise them of my voyage and the conversation went something like this,
Barry " Good morning Portland Coastguard my name is Barry Ashdown, I am a solo kayaker heading from Wareham Quay to Hurst Castle and back. I have my kayak registered with your CG66 callsign Xplore."
Portland Coastguard " Do you know what time it is? It is quarter to four in the morning"
After explaining that I must of been dropped on my head as a baby and that this was training for an Irish Sea crossing later in the month. The Coastguard log was created, I was wished a safe trip and I set off in the comfort that I was being looked after.
It was very eerie paddling down the Frome with only 10 metres of visibility. To start off with it was fine as I was following the river but it all changed when I went out into the harbour. I managed to steer a course to start off with which led me through the first pair of channel buoys but after that it started to get a bit more tricky. Sea Mist started to play tricks on me and no I had not been drinking the night before! You will be amazed I have not had an alcoholic drink for 3 weeks and I am looking forward to that pint of Irish Guinness!!
I then had to use my GPS looking at the map screen and also use my compass for a course to steer. I went wrong a few times as I found myself in shallow water but soon got back on track. The next thing which was a little disconcerting was the very loud fog horn of a ship. I know there are several ferries and merchant ships that use the harbour who would not see me until it was too late. I had my whistle to hand just in case but that probably would of been as useful as a chocolate fire guard. I had my VHF Ch16 and then I decided to head south into the shallow water keeping away from the main shipping lane. It was then that I wished my radar reflector had arrived. I managed to kayak around the southern side of Brownsea Island without actually seeing it....more fluke than judgment I am sure! I kayaked to the eastern end of the island and decided to cross there just before the Sandbanks ferry.
It was amazing how many small fishing boats were leaving the harbour all with radar fitted. I didn't mind them but it was the larger ships that were the worry. I got outside the harbour and thankfully the sea mist was clearing towards the east. I made a decision to kayak on towards Hurst Castle. The sea was like a mill pond and there was hardly any wind. Great conditions but in the back of my mind I was thinking the calm before the storm!
I travelled to a point N 50 deg 42.654 W 001 deg 37.510 and decided to turn back. The forecast was for strong SW winds 5 or 6 gusting 7. I made it to Hengisbury head and all was well then the squall came through and I had a lovely paddle from Boscombe pier to the harbour entrance...Not!! I hate paddling into strong wind.
I got into the harbour and then decided that it was not worth the effort to paddle back up to Wareham. Two paddle strokes forward and one stroke back! Not fun. I paddled into Holes Bay and called in the support team driver my dad Pete. He turned out and saved the day. I wonder what my next challenge will be after this? Isle of Wight me thinks as un-finished business there.
0345 hours at the start.
A slight rise in the sea mist in Poole Harbour
Hengisbury Head and that bloke with wind again
Starboard buoy in Poole Harbour in the mist
Sea Mist and a buoy looming
Which way? I can't see a Bloody thing!
Off the water in Holes Bay, Poole waiting for a lift home
The slip at Holes Bay Poole
38.72 nautical miles in 10 hours and 28 minutes.
Well counting the days and after doing 38nm yesterday I am sat here with a slightly aching back. I am looking forward to the challenge and the pint of the black stuff or maybe 10 after!
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