Departed Yarmouth and kept close inshore as far as the Needles to avoid the last of the flood stream. Met these three paddlers (Peter, left, is starting his own circumnavigation of Britain in three weeks, but he is a photographer so you can expect much better visuals on his blog!)
Very calm at the Needles:
Steered 260 to stay offshore and get maximum tidal assistance, and plodded into the calm greyness, being overhauled by a succession of smart yachts. Sun finally came out, and I arrived in Swanage in a bright and cheerful state. Came ashore next to the lifeboat station, and had a pleasant chat with a gentleman who had spent most of his seagoing career on the QE2, travelling the world, including a memorable and famous trip to the Falklands... One of the joys of a trip like this is the people you meet!
Stayed the night at the YHA which, like all youth hostels, is at the top of a hill.
By the way, for those of you thinking, "but he lost the camera in the Bad Business at Sheerness," that's true, but it was recovered after spending six days floating in the Thames Estuary, and spent a further two and a half weeks with all the other salt-water-sodden kit in a plastic bag with Kent Police. It still works! (Olympus m770SW).
Great to meet you! We'll be following your progress on the blog.
ReplyDeleteAll the best,
Brad