round the Isle Of Wight

[richi]

Had wanted to do this for quite some time and had been planning and preparing all week.Launched at Keyhaven at 0545 Saturday.The SPTW front hatch completely full.

 

 

paddled out through the estuary and was at Hurst for 0600,beautiful flat sea.The tide helped me scoot along at 7mph and was at the Needles by 0700 even with a short stop at Alum bay

 

Through the Needles and out came the sail,it was so peaceful with very little boat traffic.I was paddling as I was sailing to gain extra speed.

 

feathered up a few mackerel for bait to use at St.Catherines trench.

 

Soon the Needles were in the distance

 

 

Rounded St.Catherines and the mackerel could be clearly seen darting about on the surface.Headed off towards the trench

 

Couldn't find any pot bouys out there and wasn't game to anchor in such a notorius spot so decided to move on.

 

with Ventnor in the distance kept going,by this time I'd decided to have a go at going round in under 24 hrs the sail being a great help to the paddling

 

 

 

The tide was fierce here with huge pot bouys getting dragged under.

 

sailing onwards,me not him!

 

 

Shanklin

 

 

Sandown where I met Ollypolly for a chat at Yaverland Slip,nice to see you again ,Olly I'll be back

 

After a chat with Ollypolly launched again and headed round Culver Spit,it was a bit choppy going round the spit

 

 

 

And onwards towards Bembridge

 

 

there were a lot more boats on this side of the island

 

 

one of them was a Trident

 

 

met Lozz just before Bembridge harbour and gave him the mackies I had caught earlier for bait.

 

Onwards

 

and onwards

 

hovercraft launching

 

 

past Cowes and the wind was full in my face and the going got tough.This was undoubtedly the hardest part of the trip with fatigue on top.Had to take continual rests along this stretch,it didn't help matters that I switched the GPS off and went up the Beaulieu river

 

Finally made it back to Keyhaven after 26 hours asbsolutely shattered

 

65 miles my longest paddle yet.still need to work on the fitness.

[OKreally]

That's phenomenal mate!

 

I've sailed round & that was hard going!

 

Enjoy your kip

 

Andrew

[richi]

That's phenomenal mate!

 

I've sailed round & that was hard going!

 

Enjoy your kip

 

Andrew

 

 

thanks Andrew,IOW radio have picked up the story and want to cover the next circumnavigation then maybe I'll have a crack at the channel next year

[YakDiver]

Well done Richi you deserve a medal

[richi]

Well done Richi you deserve a medal

 

thanks YakDiver!

 

medal,that's a good idea! does one have to apply for an OBE?

[OKreally]

That's phenomenal mate!

 

I've sailed round & that was hard going!

 

Enjoy your kip

 

Andrew

 

 

Richi

 

The channel is kids stuff compared to the miles you put in! Irish Sea perhaps...good fishing on the other side?!

[richi]

Richi

 

The channel is kids stuff compared to the miles you put in! Irish Sea perhaps...good fishing on the other side?!

 

 

so many options,I will definately be doing a real epic trip or two next year

 

I'll be going in to serious training over Winter

 

the Aussies loved the report----here is one reply made me laugh

 

 

What a great read,

 

If nothing else I now know there the Isle of Wight is…

 

I done a Google Earth on it and followed you around using your description.

 

I then plotted it……..100 fuc*&%g km…

 

What a top effort…..and you want to WORK ON YOUR fitness…

 

Well done and a top effort.

 

Bloody poms beat us at the Olympics and now this.......

Edited August 26, 2008 by richi