As we've been meeting up with paddlers and other interested people along our trip, we've been promising links to much of the stuff we've been talking about.

 Well, here they are:

Our club is the Swaledale Outdoor Club www.swaledaleoutdoorclub.org.uk, based in Richmond, North Yorkshire. It is a multi-activity club, as you'll see from the website. We have about 20 active paddlers, who play on both the sea and whitewater. Whilst we've been in Ireland, a group has been sampling the whitewater delights of the Soca in Slovenia.

Our boats are North Shore sea kayaks. www.northshoreseakayaks.com Claire and Pete paddle Polars (now called Polar LV) and Wendy paddles an Atlantic (now the Atlantic HV). They are all fitted with deck mounted towing rigs and compasses. All of us have bulkhead footrests, maximising the space available in the front hatch, and all have keel strips to help with the wear of landings. We all carried split paddles as spares. Claire's main paddle is a Nimbus two piece, Pete and Wendy both use Lendal carbon 4 piece padlock paddles. Wendy has a straight shaft with Kinetic Touring S blades, Pete has Nordkapp blades on a modified crank shaft. None of us had any wrist problems, probably as we have all used these paddles for several years now.


We all carried safety kit: Marine VHF radio, McMurdo Fastfind PLB and flares. We had a comprehensive array of first aid kit between us, and a fibreglass repair kit (needed for the repair of some transport damage on two of the boats)

All of us had the gear arranged so that we were totally self sufficient, with shelter, food, drink and cooking facilities. This is done in case we get split up, and saves the problem of being stranded away from the rest of the group without food and shelter.

Our maps were bought from Dash4it www.dash4it.co.uk who kindly supplied them at wholesale rate. On these. tidal and other navigation information was added. This information was gleaned from a variety of sources. Mainly it came from the two editions of Sailing Directions produced by the Irish Cruising Club, which cover the whole coast of Ireland, and the marine charts. A lot of additional information came from Oileain, written by David Walsh. This is a mine of useful information. Our information came from the book, but it is available on-line www.oileain.org. The composite maps were then laser copied onto A4 sheets of waterproof paper.(Rite in the Rain www.ritr.co.uk) It was all a bit messy and complicated to sort out, but it worked well in the end. The paper stood up to repeated wettings, and then being screwed up and stuffed away after use. The maps will be OK for our next attempt!


We relied on good old fashioned map and compass for navigation, and used GPS only as a distance logger, except for a couple of occasions when we used it to check actual positions. We used a Magellan waterproof version primarily, but this died when taken out of its waterproof bag, then we resorted to a Geko (in a waterproof bag), but the small display made it difficult to see at a glance.

Fresh water was a constant issue. We only carried enough for a couple of days, so we needed to make sure we kept topped up. Many people helped us with this (and whenever Wendy and Claire did the asking, they usually ended up with tea and cakes as well) The generousity and hospitalty of people was amazing. We would probably carry a bit more (next time) but that's got to be balanced against the added weight.

We took a kayak trolley. We weren't sure if it would actually be worth the trouble, but in the end, it was invaluable. I don't know the make, but it was bought a few years ago from Knoydart Sea Kayaks http://www.knoydartseakayaking.co.uk. It's a fairly simple bit of kit, with detachable wheels. The frame was carried on the deck of Wendy's boat, and the wheels in the cockpit. It proved to be efficient on sand (providing it wasn't very soft), and shingle and pebbly beaches, as well as slipways and tarmac. It allowed three of us to move a fully loaded boat with 'relative' ease.

We left Claire at Ring and had set off towards Galley Head. The sea state built so we returned to Ring.  After a lot of heartsearching, we both accepted that safety must come first, so we have very reluctantly abandoned our attempt on the circumnavigation, as we felt that with only the two of us paddling, we were reducing safety margins to an unacceptable level, given the conditions that we have been experiencing.
Although we are hugely disappointed at not completing the trip, we have had a fantastic adventure. We have travelled 400kms, met some amazing and truly inspirational people and seen some fantastic scenery. The welcome we have received from everyone we have met has only increased our love of the country.
Our Northshore kayaks have been absolutely fantastic and have looked after us well.
We will be updating the blog over the next few days with more photos etc, and notes,so keep following us!
See you on the water, sometime!!

Finally got away from the carpark/campsite at Coolmain, which has been Pete's sick bay for three days.  He's had a particularly unpleasant stomach bug, but is now on the mend.  


We visited Cortmacsherry Harbour RNLI station and picked up some local info on the next portion of the coast, and were given a guided tour round their Trent Class lifeboat.  Many thanks to Sean, the Coxwain, and Stuart, the mechanic for their time and advice.  


On this leg round Seven Heads, we were joined by Nick and Kath, and a reasonably smooth sea and light winds made for a brilliant afternoon of 25km.  We are now at Ring Point in Clonakilty Bay, where we will leave Nick & Kath in the morning, heading for Galley Head and the bottom left hand corner.


Sadly, Claire will be leaving us.  She has injured herself and moving the boats on land each day is aggravating her problem.  It will be a really different trip without her, and we will have to be a bit more conservative in our objectives.

Tuesday 29th May 2012

Many thanks to Jim and Jamie for their brilliant hospitality last night, especially the sourdough bread from Deva's in Ballinspittle and the drum rendition from Jamie. Good luck Jim, with the swimming and adventure racing. Good luck Jamie with the band!

Today Claire and Wendy did "ladies wot lunch" by sea-kayak, leaving Pete to recover, alone!

Hoping for a good day paddling tomorrow.

Left the foggy site in a clean state (Wendy and Claire took up the kind offer of a shower from one of the neighbouring houses - Pete declined as he felt it would make him soft), an d crossed Cork Harbour entrance in clear visibility, but a big swell.  30+km day took us to Blackstone Point point for the night, where we met up with Nick and Kath who came bearing apple pie, unfortunately, when they looked away, the three of us gobbled it in short order!


The following day was "interesting".  An early start with the intention of going through the hole which passes through the Old Head of Kinsale.  As we approached Hole Open Bay East, the swell built and the conditions became less than favourable or enjoyable, so we 'got the hell out of there', back to our campsite, where we admired the photos that Nick had taken from a headland.

we are in there somewhere!

That ended with another day off the water on Saturday, very sunny, but very windy.  


Another attempt at the Head on Sunday, in much better conditions, but the holes through the head appeared to have breaking water in them, so we opted to run the tide race off the head itself, which gave a tremendous paddle. 

The Old Head of Kinsale

Met Brian and Noel, local paddlers, as they went for a day out (in their Northshore Atlantics!). Crossed to Courtmacsherry, then camped at Coolmain. Pete feeling a little crock, so spent the day here, where Noel dropped in for a really pleasant chat.  Hopefully, he'll be joining us over the weekend.

Sorry about the absence for the last week, but t'internet has been a bit fickle.  This is a post we wrote a few days ago, but can only upload today -

Trundle with the boats (so glad we brought a trolley!) down to the out-going water.  Quick chat with some ladies who had been swimming and also Mr Casey, the owner of the campsite, who had been very generous to us. Lovely paddling day, straight across the bay to Helvick Head, round Mine Head and into Ardmore, to an amazing reception! Met Dave, who has been following us on Facebook, and Ronan, from Ardmore Adventures. Claire went to thank some fishermen for moving our boats and they gave her fresh fish for all of us. 

Mine Head

Goat Island Camp

Breakfast!  Dermott the star

Ronan and Dermott paddled round with us to Goat Island, where we camped on the beach, disturbed only at 5.30am by two youngsters with a bat and ball! Ready to get on the water at 9am, when we heard “Breakfast!”, and Dermott ran down the beach with a flask of coffee and bread, jam, cheese and oranges. Fantastic! We have had amazing support from Irish paddlers. We are really grateful for all the information, phone numbers and tea.

Paddled straight across the bay to Knockadoon, then round to Ballycotton, where we were treated to tea and biscuits at the RNLI station. Few more kilometres brought us to a campsite (OK – carpark!) where we have had an unscheduled stop, due to fog!  It’s given us a chance to catch up on a couple of boat repairs.  The two polars had suffered a bit of damage in one of the moves, so a bit of time allowed us to stop the damage getting worse.  Pete’s paddling pants have now started delaminating as well as the problems with the seams fraying.  A very poor do for any kit, let alone an expensive bit that’s only been used for less than three weeks.  Level Six gear doesn’t seem to be as robust as one might have been led to expect!  Luckily, friends are bringing old bit of kit out as replacement, as at this rate they’ll be in shreds in a couple more weeks

Absolutely fabulous day today.  Not only was it the first time we've managed to string four consecutive days of paddling together, but we left Tramore this morning with the help and escort of the RNLI inshore crew and lifeboat, including being waved off from the quayside.  Many thanks to Dave and Tommy and the rest of the crew.
Terrific day's paddling along the "Copper Coast" - over 30Km of cliffs, stacks, rocks and caves.  Just enough swell and clapotis to keep it interesting without being scary!.
Met up with three local paddlers who had come out to wish us good fortune  - Dermot (circumnavigated Ireland in 33 days with lots of good weather), Fitch  (who started all our connections in Tramore), and Fletch.  Ended up at the Clonea Strand campsite, which, as we are raising money for charity, we were given free.
All the comments we are getting on the blog mean a lot to us, please keep them coming.
Don't forget that you can support our charities by uimng the widgets on the top of this home page.

The arrangements for tomorrow morning would be easier to put together if Pete hadn't left one of the vital phone numbers in his trousers pocket when they went in the washing machine!

Wow, fourth consecutive day of paddling - things are looking up!!  Got to Tramore, by lunchtime, after battling a F5 gusting 6 headwind for the last 2km.  By the time we'd had a coffee and toastie, and decided to use the rest of the day getting both us and some clothes clean (stopping in Beach Haven Guest House), and made the arrangements, the wind had dropped off completely - bugger!
Anyway, met Fitch in the cafe, he arranged for us to leave our boats in in his mate Robbie's garden, and Steve and Tommy from the RNLI inshore station helped us get them there - photos will follow.  Robbie then gave us a lift to the Guest House.  A couple of phone calls in the morning, and it will all be reversed.  The help and hospitality we are getting is amazing!   Forecast is not too bad for tomorrow, and we'll be sheltered after the first couple of miles.  Looking forwards to some good cliff scenery.

Wayhay - we've finally made it onto the south coast!!!!!!

Got round Carnsore Point with the tide, after 5am start, but too windy to continue, so sat in sun reading for the rest of the morning.  When wind had finally dropped sufficiently, the tide was against us for the rest of the day, which gave a few "interesting" moments.  Ended at Kilmore Quay fairly knackered, but pretty happy, especially as we found a good chippie "The Saltee Chipper".  Surprise, surprise, another fine day followed, and we headed to Fethard via the Keeragh Islands.  A leisurely lunch regaled with tales by Tommy Roach, an old local fisherman, then on to Churchtown, just north of Hook Head.

Cleared that this morning with a favourable tide, but the wind has built during the day,and we are once again off the water, and camping at Portally, near Dunmore East courtesy of Bridget and John.

Forceast for tomorrow has improved from earlier, so we may even manage four paddling days in a row!

Lost 10th again to weather, so wandered into Kilmuckeridge and found a rather nice cafe - The Healthy Hub.  Left the hospitality and helpfulness of the Morriscastle Strand campsite with a surf launching, then against the tide south.  We hoped to reach St Helen's Harbour , south of Rosslare, but building wind and surf north of Wexford Harbour forced us off the water.  It was in this bit that Pete demonstrated the ease with which a very full and heavy North Shore Polar can be rolled, after getting knocked over by an errant breaker.  Wendy's birthday celebrations were postponed due to general tiredness.  
A much better day on Saturday - glassy sea, no wind, sun (were we dreaming?).  Left our campsite and headed straight for Rosslare, then down to St Helen's, then on to Carne, about 3km north of Carnsore Point and the finally the end of the East Coast.  Although we were off the water at 4:30, we didn't find a campsite until about 7.  But when we did, we were joined by the leaders and young ladies of the St Catherines Brigin Company from Piercetown, who gave us some much appreciated food, and kept us entertained for an hour looking at out kit and asking lots of questions.  I'm sure one of which was " Have you ever been blown through a whale's spout?"
Today has been another day off the water, it started calm enough, sunny and warm, but just as the forecast predicted, the wind built steadily through the day from about 8 o'clock.  It's now gale force and raining.  The forecast is not good for tomorrow either.  We managed to celebrate Claire's birthday with a meal and our first Guinness of the trip.

now 20km north of Wexford.  Had a cracking day yesterday 38km, mostly with the tide.  Forecast is not promising today, with strong winds this afternoon, and fairly strong tides against us this morning. Gale forecast for tonight.  We have a run of about 20km of surf/dumping beach backed by dunes before Wexford so we look like staying put here.
Wendy and Claire sampled wonderful hospitality whilst topping up with water near The European Club (golf) near Mizen Head.  Went for water, but had tea and home baked cheesecake as well.
Wendy's NEW waterproof camera has packed up - so much for the Olympus TOUGH!

Cracking day yesterday.  Sunny and the tide and wind on our backs.  Round Wicklow Head with the best of the tide at 15kph.  Pulled out at half past five just south of Mizen Head.  Wind blew up to F8 during the night with torrential rain.  Woke up to 5ft dumping surf - not an attractive sight!  It's calmed down a bit and sunny by lunchtime today, but still not fit to paddle.  A rest day on day three seems a bit excessive, but it's a long game......

Got on the water at 14:00 at Sandy Cove, just south of Dun Laoghaire.  Wind on our backs all afternoon, but cold with it, although generally sunny.  We managed to carry the tide until half past 5, and eventually camped at half past  seven, having covered 23km.  A very long day - we were in Shropshire at 6:30 am!


Just sitting waiting for the tide to turn south before we get on the water.


The support and donations we have had so far have been terrific, and really boosted our spirits.

There are some photos of the boats going onto the van for the trip to Holyhead

Trial packing - Hopefully, when all this goes in, there'll still be room for me.

and it will still float.  

Now into the stages of having piles of kit strewn around the house.  Test packing tomorrow, then trying to decide what to leave behind because it won't all fit in the boats.  Ferry to Ireland on Saturday morning - hopefully this wet and windy weather will have settled down a bit by then.

Just under three weeks to go now, and we are moving into the world of geeks - you can now follow us on Twitter

Just under four weeks to go now, and we're getting quite excited/nervous.  We are very lucky to have had the support of our club, Swaledale Outdoor Club, who have helped us with the costs of our maps from their expedition fund.  Hopefully, at some point in our trip, we'll be joined by some of the club paddlers for a few days.


The three of us all paddle North Shore boats, Claire and Pete have Polars and Wendy drives an Atlantic.  Pete will be getting some guidance from Mike Nelson at North Shore on how to make a decent repair.  Hopefully, we'll not need to repair any holes, but...........! 

Only a few weeks to go now - we have decided that we'll start paddling on 5th May, from  Dún Laoghaire.  We'll be travelling clockwise, so turning right from the beach and heading south.  


The sorting of maps is taking up a lot of our time, but we are getting there.  There are 47 maps to cover the coast of Ireland, 


and all need sorting with tidal and local information, then copying onto waterproof paper at A4 size.  Having written that, it now seems a bigger job!