PADDLER 27
The headwind lashed at our faces
A CHOICE OF ROUTES
Halfway through our journey , we were to pass a small town where we could get supplies . The approach to Ellös was sheltered from the stiff westerly breeze off the North Sea only by a series of low islands made up of sand dunes , so the approach was significantly choppy , with no real wave pattern and confused water as the waves bounced off the inner island and harbour wall . So we were all glad to get into the harbour for a delicious pizza we hadn ’ t had to cook ourselves .
At the kayak centre on the first day , five young German men were planning to make nearly the same trip as us , but apart from the first day ; we hadn ’ t seen them , so while sitting on the harbour wall eating our pizza , we watched as , to our amazement , their two tandems and
one single kayak made slow progress through the same choppy seas that we had . We were impressed by their determination but were disinclined to follow , and having watched these young men overtake us and disappear towards the North Sea , we had a long discussion over the forecast and the wisdom of continuing south along the exposed west coast of the island of Tjörn towards our intended destination of Rönnäng .
It seemed sensible to turn round and stay in the fjord between the islands , as that was windy enough in places and after all , we were there to enjoy , not kill ourselves . When we returned to the kayak centre at the end , we were relieved to hear that our German friends had come to the same conclusion , having turned back and returned safely the day before we finished our trip .
Oyster beds at sunset
PADDLER 27