PADDLER 44
PADDLER 44
COPIOUS AMOUNTS OF TEA AND COFFEE
We decided on a sea dip before breakfast the following day , but it was so shallow we splashed about and dipped in the cool , clear waters . After our dip , we sat in the sunshine in the calm of the bay eating porridge – another lovely touch to trips like this is the care and attention to you as clients ; we were supplied with copious amounts of tea and coffee and all offers of help to clear up were politely refused . We were looked after wonderfully well .
This was another day of beautiful paddling , with silky calm waters turning into lapping waves and swell , and after 14km , having spotted just one lone seal , we arrived at our next beachside break – a stunning cove . Another few minutes and a group of kayakers would have had it – we felt their disappointment , but they managed to find another small cove . I pitched my tent right on the beach – it was truly magical .
Caz and I explored the island ; we were trying to get to an unusually shaped rock on one end of the island – we climbed higher and then lower over the island but could not manage to achieve our goal – it was great fun , though , and we had been surprised to find a small flock of sheep on one of the beaches – they were not bothered by us so we returned to our huge fire on the beach and supper was on the go . The fires are usually contained within rocks , and odd bits of wood get washed up or left by others for you to use . Gnocchi was on the menu , with cake and hot custard to finish . We rounded off the evening with chocolate and gin and tonic .
Another beautiful night sleeping out in the fresh air right next to the lapping waters and another morning dip before breakfast .
The plan for this day was to gather more fresh water , and even though we felt like we were very remote , we were , in fact , pretty close to small villages along the water ’ s edge . The other promise for today was ice cream , and after a pretty tough paddle into a fierce headwind , we certainly deserved it . A large hotel dominated the small village , and we were welcomed in for ice cream , albeit with our wet feet and probably quite stinky bodies . Water was found on the jetty , and we were then back on the water to our final destination .
CHALLENGING WATERS
12km was achieved that day with a cautious paddle across a busy ‘ shipping lane ’ – the only ships that day were leisure cruisers , but Caz and Mark guided us safely as the waters were quite challenging in that channel . It was not somewhere you wanted to fall off .
Our beach on this tiny island was perfect , with a readymade stone firepit and enough space to camp . Perched on top of the rocks was a lovely wooden built composting toilet with information about the locals who volunteer to build and maintain them , one of whom we were going to meet on this very evening .
CATXALOT SEAWEED
The WSA had arranged for Linnea from Catxalot Seaweed to visit us on our last island to talk about locally foraged seaweed and plants and incorporate those into a three-course meal . Linnea has a wealth of experience and a passion for all things seaweed and arrived by boat with pots and pans and fresh and partly cooked ingredients . The tide , such that it is , was out , so we paddled out to help bring everything in , including wood for the fire .
We immediately set off under her guidance to explore the island ’ s offerings of wild chives , angelica plants and small edible flowers . We were told about all the different types of seaweed , and we found ourselves knee-deep in the waters of the cove to find our specimens .
The food was beautiful , tasty , and healthy , and we all returned for seconds . If ever you are in this part of the world , do look Linnea up as she holds retreats and masterclasses locally on beach plants , seaweed , food and health , and coastal foraging . She was also incredibly entertaining with her stories and a lovely person to come and visit us – one of the trip ’ s highlights for us all .
It was so light after Linnea left , so we explored . The sun was going down on the other side of the island , so we planned our escape with Caz and went for a beautiful sunset paddle around the island – Mark stayed at camp and took photographs – it was an hour very well spent – I ’ m not sure I ever truly saw darkness at night on this trip , regardless of what time it was .
BACK TO GREBBESTAAD
We all slept well with full bellies , and for once , when we woke in the morning , the sun was not shining . It was slightly cooler , and the beach was not appropriate for us to have a proper dip , so we packed up camp and slowly paddled our way back to Grebbestaad , making a detour to paddle into the marina to see the town from a different perspective . A good paddle back into the headwind led us to our final beach stop – I don ’ t think any of us were ready to get off our boards and know that this part of the trip was over – a truly wonderful experience on the water for those last four days .
Mark wandered a few hundred feet back to collect the van , and with some good teamwork bonding , the van was loaded quickly . We walked back to our motel , and after sorting and washing the kit , we appreciated that hot shower !