NWSK Newsletter 2006

Intro………

 

2005? It was wonderful.

 

We paddled on balmy days on glassy seas. We paddled into the teeth of storms on boiling waters that froze the blood (well, mine was nearly frozen on a number of occasions). We survived the tempest and then practiced falling out of our boats. We slogged and we bimbled. We edged and we carved and we wibbled and we wobbled. We saw wonderful scenery and barely the bows of our boats. We paddled all over the UK but sometimes we just walked in ankle deep water. We even did a spot of Euro-paddling just to show what a cosmopolitan lot we are. We celebrated the summer solstice. We slept under canvas, we stayed in bunkhouses and we bivvied under the stars. We ate fine food, and some not so fine food. Those of us who do, drank the odd spot of alcofrol. We sat round campfires on the beach where some of us sang and some of us drifted into peaceful, smiling slumber. We were hot, we were cold, we were wet and we were dry.

 

It was wonderful.

 

And we did all this because of our passion for kayaking on the sea and the camaraderie that comes from sharing this with others of like mind.  Not being a “club” our activities are co-ordinated through our web site, lovingly maintained by Trevor Shepherd. And the whole thing is nudged gently along and kept in the right direction with a few deft strokes by Jim Krawiecki. Thanks to you both, and to everyone who led trips, followed leaders, gave advice, took advice, paddled at the front, middle or back, is new to sea paddling or a is a gnarly salty seagull-eating sea-dog, helped load / unload boats, sang, drank, stayed in their boat, rolled, fell out, climbed back in, was rescued, laughed, cried (hardly ever) and shared their friendship.

 

It was wonderful.

 

We had trips to Anglesey (er…once or twice…..), Knoydart (the place in Scotland, not the sea kayak shop), Hilbre Island, the Isle of Arran, the Isle of Bute, St Bees Head, the west coast of Ireland, the Ormes and the Conway estuary, Coquet Island, the Yorkshire coast, Bardsey and the Lleyn Peninsula, the Wyre, the Mawddach Estuary and the Aegean.

 

Yes. It was wonderful.

 

Bob Mark      drbobmark@btinternet.com

  

Here are some contenders for quote of the year. I think some might be described as illustrative, rather than verbatim and, after all, “you should never let the truth stand in the way of a good story”……….

 

“I’m one of the world’s leading two star paddlers, you know” Mr Roscoe, somewhere in the Aegean.

 “What could possibly go wrong?” Just about everyone at some point.

 “Oops!” Just about everyone at some point.

 “I love you all” Kirstine Pearson, most meets.

 “I bet I could hang upside down, naked, in that kayak and drink a pint” John Cameron, end of season meet.

 “Oh dear” All of John’s audience except Mary Erasmus.

 “Is it safe to look yet?” Mary Erasmus.

 'I think I'm a bit of an exhibitionist on the quiet'. John Cameron.

 “I’m sure I saw some sea here last time” Helen Marsden, Duddon Estuary.

 “B*****d weather-b*****d-cocking b*****d boat” Bob Mark, on a learning curve in a crosswind between Iraklia and Ios  in the Aegean.

 “Ee, that were right gradely, but I’m fair thraiped now”, opinion on Yorkshire meet of YORCIE SALT ‘N’ SHAKES member.

 

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