Gale 8 gusting 9

Luckily we were on dry land.

Some of you might recognise this corner of the Lakes; so accessible, yet so well hidden.

The wind whipping the spindrift off the ridge. Walking today was like paddling; tough going head-down into the gale, difficult to maintain the transit across the wind and then being pushed only too fast over the snow on the downwind leg, a low brace would have been handy on occasions.

The most fun that you can have on dry land?

Lunching with limpets (bernique!) at the Needles

Monday 6 February, it was cold, calm and misty as we paddled from Keyhaven to the Needles.

Only a gentle swell disturbing the water.

The calm was deceptive, landing at Scratchell's was out of the question due to the swell,

but the flint lines in the cliffs were as spectacular as ever.

We shared our lunch spot between the Needles and Freshwater with the limpets.

You could see where they had been grazing the algae at HW, some seemed content to have stayed very close to home.

Whilst others had made long treks to distant lands and back. The tide meant that we had to wait until 16.00 for our trip back. It was a gloomy dusk and we headed straight from the lighthouse to the beckoning light of Hurst Castle lighthouse, making satisfyingly fast progress directly downtide, and then gliding close to winter waders as we threaded our way back to Keyhaven. We had had the water to ourselves apart from a fisherman checking his crabpots, the birds, and a passing porpoise.

Winter Weather on the Thames

The briefing by the trip leader prior to our paddle from Putney to Wapping and back. Be careful what you wish for. . . . just a week ago I was lamenting the lack of Winter, and here it was, cold hands, cold feet.

Down the Thames under a wintry sky.

Darkness came very early under that leaden sky,

as we pushed onward down the Thames with the last of the tide.

On the beach at Wapping waiting for the tide to turn, luckily the Prospect Of Whitby had its access steps to the river open and we could retire into the warmth, hot chocolate was much more popular than a cold pint.

Once the tide was running nicely with us we set off upstream. Snow started,

flurries at first,

heavier and heavier,

finally settling on the boats. On the stretches into the wind, the flakes stung the eyes, we couldn't see much, but once clear of the Clippers in the Pool of London, we had the river to ourselves.

Eventually, we arrived back at Putney.

So, so cold loading the boats and slipping out of the drysuits. Mid winter madness? or was that what was afflicting everyone except us, watching Celebrity Whatever and missing out on the snow and the river. Now there was just the drive home!

January is at an end

Leaving from Southsea -free parking on the sea front at this time of year- our course was almost due South, leaving Horse Sand Fort to Starboard, Horse Elbow Buoy to Port, circling the Warner Buoy, as the CG helicopter circled us and ending up here. A fine view of one of the less sung corners of the Isle of Wight, a short section of rocky coast and usually in shelter, but with a tide that sets strongly, sometimes even violently along the base of White Cliff. The tide was with us all the way so we averaged nearly 5kt.

Our landing amongst the Bembridge ledges, a short walk from the 'Crab and Lobster'.

On the way back the wind died completely leaving an oily calm in mid-channel.

Crossing from the Warner -my favourite buoy with its upright shape and comfortingly friendly groaning whistle- to Horse Elbow in the picture above...

...continuing home, leaving Horse Sands well to port, once again the tide was with us all the way. Sixteen miles in record time and warm enough for a roll or two and a balance brace before landing. Will February bring the frost?

Whiling away those long winter nights

Out on the water.

Even if the weather does not look so appealing from the hearthside,

it is always good once you are out on the sea.

Or the drier (sometimes) alternative, out on the bike, that's not me below, but I am the first to ride into view. A gentle ride because of the conditions; freezing all day, then thawing as we rode, giving a thin layer of liquid mud over hard frozen ruts and puddles. A lethal combination. Thanks Simon.

Post Xmas paddle

Nice wintery light as we set off,

and some nice waves to play in.

More details here.

Where can you...

Where can you paddle into the rib cage of a wooden ship,

come alongside a lightship,

paddle under...

.. a submarine,

and past the pride of the Royal Navy?

Portsmouth Harbour on a Winter's day.