The bad weather over Christmas meant that I didn't manage to get out and try my Christmas presents, so the dry conditions at the weekend gave me the chance to get out and try them for the first time ( apart from the whisky, that had already been sampled ).
I met my brother in law Steve at the marina, and we quickly got the canoes on the water. Friday and Saturday had been beautiful, still days, but the wind was stronger on Sunday, and it was in our faces as we paddled past Friar's Crag towards Lord's Island.
I was using my new Northwoods Style paddle made by Edenwood Paddles at Kirkby Stephen, and very nice it was too.
We stopped on Lord's Island for a look about, and collected some birchbark and firewood for later, before heading towards Rampsholme Island for lunch.
We found a sheltered, sunny spot on the island and set up my new BBQ / fire pit for it's first fire up.
I boiled some water for coffee first, and then Steve and I put some burgers and sausages on.
I used my Mastino bush shirt for the first time too, and was very impressed with it.
After a pleasant lunch, we pottered over to the eastern shore, and then turned back for the marina via the southern end of St Herbert's Island.
As we rounded the island and turned north, the wind, which had been against us all day, was now on our backs. We made it back to the marina in record time, surfing on the swell.
We both had a great day out, hopefully the first of many in 2012.
Cheers, Michael.
I met my brother in law Steve at the marina, and we quickly got the canoes on the water. Friday and Saturday had been beautiful, still days, but the wind was stronger on Sunday, and it was in our faces as we paddled past Friar's Crag towards Lord's Island.
I was using my new Northwoods Style paddle made by Edenwood Paddles at Kirkby Stephen, and very nice it was too.
We stopped on Lord's Island for a look about, and collected some birchbark and firewood for later, before heading towards Rampsholme Island for lunch.
We found a sheltered, sunny spot on the island and set up my new BBQ / fire pit for it's first fire up.
I boiled some water for coffee first, and then Steve and I put some burgers and sausages on.
I used my Mastino bush shirt for the first time too, and was very impressed with it.
After a pleasant lunch, we pottered over to the eastern shore, and then turned back for the marina via the southern end of St Herbert's Island.
As we rounded the island and turned north, the wind, which had been against us all day, was now on our backs. We made it back to the marina in record time, surfing on the swell.
We both had a great day out, hopefully the first of many in 2012.
Cheers, Michael.