A cold crossing to Cowes

 Miserable weather at the weekend, but we paddled from Lepe to Cowes and up the Medina to Newtown. The wealth of Cowes Week seems to have by-passed most of the river front. A gentle paddle, the most exciting water the wash from the Red Funnel Cat.

On the way back this ship was behaving strangely, making unexpected manoeuvres, a lifeboat was in attendance  maybe it had engine or steering trouble. 

We kept well clear, although it did turn and pursue us at one point on the crossing. Back at Lepe we met the New Forest Club doing a skills session. Tempted to show off, I got out of my cockpit to paddle side-saddle and promptly fell in, stiff with the hours in the cold rain. Luckily my self-rescue worked first time, in fact the sea was a good deal warmer than the air, but thank heavens for drysuits!

A Bow Rescue on the Tavy

 Low water level at the weekend, but Saturday was a delightful warm spring day as we paddled the Tavy.

 Despite practising the bow rescue on a regular basis, how often do you use it in real life? Liz had rolled ever so nicely on a feature upstream, at another spot mine had deserted me when an underwater rock swam into view just in front of my eyes. This little shoot was harder than it looked with something of a twist and no-where to put the paddle. Most of us ended up with unexpected rolling practice. This time Liz was in trouble.

 Steve powers in...

 Liz pops herself upright...

 and paddles on happily. What was her husband doing? He had the camera out!

Between the features there was plenty of time to enjoy the scenery and sunshine.

My recovery, it did not feel like slow motion when I was under the water.