Desire Petroleum Sponsor SeaKayaking Falklands

Desire Petroleum PLC have kindly sponsored the expedition £500 which will go towards the running costs. To find out more about deire please go to there website www.desireplc.co.uk

The Isle of Windy White

Richys paddle pants
paddle fuel
ive found cake
inspector Carter
Team IOW
On Sat 22nd the team met up at Lepe for a photo by Mark the Help for Heroes Photographer and for 4 days paddling/camping,
After some alarm clock confusion and the photos and a large late breakfast,we set off towards the Needles.Poseidon must have been a little bored as he looked at our little kayaks so he made a nice breeze for us, due to this and the tide now against us we camped just short of Yarmouth.
Sunday 23rd, Was a fine crisp morning, so off with tide we went towards the Needles again into a stiff F5 ish breeze as we passed Yarmouth and its pontoons the wind picked up and about 1km later we got off the water,luckily by a cafe, as we ate a hearty second breakfast we watched the wind and waves grow and decided the Needles would have to wait for another day,so we headed off northeast towards Cowes surfing up the Soulant against the tide in probably a F7 wind gusting 8 ish lots of fun but a little chilly, we camped 6km ish short of Cowes.
Monday 24th, 2hours hard paddling and we covered 1900 meters,not sure of the wind strength but stronger than our little arms ,after waiting nearly 2 hours for the wind to drop it decided not to so we explored on foot and yes you guessed it found a cafe!! selling Bangers and Mash .
Tuesday 25th, A brisk paddle back over to Lepe to sort kayak and kit to be handed in at the docks to sail south.A good 4 days was had by all and a good reminder for all that the Sea is the BOSS of sea kayakers .
Photos to follow.

At Last I have a kayak

At last the boat has arrived. What a beauty. Unfortunately it missed the big boat (known as a ship to seafarers (apparently a ship is something you can fit a boat on not vice versa)) but it is being packed on the next one and will arive in the Falklands a few days after we do ne'er mind!!!

I fitted an electric bilge pump as you can see by the video but it is with difference. The battery pack is solar powered and has attached a battery recharger for AA's, AAA's and cigarette lighter. Main p0wer is from a 12v 5AH battery. We have power!!!

I can sea-test it in The Falklands, lovely! (it may be worth noting the large padded comfy seat in my kayak, maaan that looks comfortable)

I have also devised a cunning locking system for the kayak which attaches to my decking, back garden and ultimately the very bedrock I live on so unless some smarty pants wants the whole of the earths crust with my kayak....

Prep, and Training

Nothing exiting to add for the last few days,kit preperation and training , Surfing and rolling practice for me in a bit of a gale on Monday , and today Richy rolling and re entery rolling practice. At the end of next week we are off to the Isle of White for 4 days paddling and camping so some good photos and funny tales of failed rolls !!!

Vango sponsors us a tent

Vango have kindly offered to sponsor us and donated a tent. Thanks very much to Iain who I have been in contact with. Having a new tent to shelter from the weather of the south atlantic will certainly set some of our fears to rest!!

Two kayaks packed and on way South

Today Tim and I went to Marchwood Navel base, packed most of our camping kit into our kayaks wraped them and handed them to the load master, to sail south on the 14th and arrive early December. YIPPPIEEEE
As you know from Richys post bellow his is lost in UK somewere, we plan to load it on the 25th of Nov and it should sail south on the 5th of December arriving 3rd of January.
So are start date will slip to the 4th or 5th of January , time for Tim and I to surf and paddle about near Stanley while Richy makes tea and calls us rude names .
I will add some photos of packed,wrapped kayaks tomoro .
photo Tim and Chris sorting kayaks in Marchwood

Marchwood Southampton.

A good day for Chris and I, we had an RV at the M27 Services for a 'Training' breakfast (Very low calorie !!) . We met Fiona from Penrith who is paddling with Tom, around the Isles, at the same time but in the opposite direction.

Chris's new boat looked amazing, and weighed so little, I am a litle envious, but may have see the future !!!!! I could end up a single man though !!!!

Chris then displayed expedition leader skills and took us to Marchwood, where we wrapped and packed Kayaks with acres of Bubble wrap. !!!

I also included Tent and Sleeping bag plus Dry bags and stove etc, as well as large jars of Savlon and Sudo cream for those tender areas anticipated !!!

We were in a hanger with lots of stuff in different parts of the building, for The Ascension Isles, South Georgia and of course Stanley. Hopefully we put our Kayaks in the right area otherwise Richie may yet get ahead when he puts his new boat on the next ship.

DHL staff were very helpful and friendly and Chris took photos which he will hopefully add to this 'post', as we all felt this was a significant step forward !!

Missing (the) boat

Unfortunately, a couple of months ago my kayak got stolen. In fact it seemed as soon as word got out I was going to the Falklands for 6 weeks my kayak went missing (perhaps my wife, Sue, had some hand in this). Anyway the insurance paid out, I ordered my kayak and was expecting it on Tuesday. It did not arrive - apparently they forgot to put it on the delivery lorry (I am sure this happens all the time especially to 17ft lime green sea kayaks, they tend to blend in to the surrounding). So today Timmy and Chris are loading there kayaks onto the Falklands boat and I am sitting at home drinking tea! Lets hope I don't miss the next boat!!!! (I think it is actually a ship - boat might be underselling it)

For all those who saw it hope you enjoyed our TV clip on ITV westcountry. For those of you who missed it go onto their website and it is archived for a week!!