Paddle your way to happiness
To paddle, or not to paddle: that is the question: Whether 'tis nobler in the mind to suffer The waves and seaweed of outrageous fortune, Or to take up thy kayak against a sea of waves, And by opposing paddle them? (Sorry Bill!)
Of course the correct answer is to always paddle, be it paddleboard, boogie board or in yesterday's case the kayak.
It was one of those lovely ethereal mornings yesterday. Mist over the water, no wind and the only sound was the lapping of the waves on the beach. Once parked up I was soon set up, got my kit on and I was ready to go.
The slight problem I have with kayaking (or any other activity as mentioned in a previous blog) is my notorious lack of balance. This means that if I'm going to capsize I will generally do getting in to or out of the kayak, and this day was going to be no different with me going over both on egress and exit!
What was really great about going out yesterday was that I had absolutely no agenda or pre-determined route in my head. I was going out just for the sake of being on the water, not knowing if I would be out for 10 minutes or 4 hours.
As it turned out I was out for about an hour and a half, paddling from Lepe Beach down to the mud flats by the entrance to the Beaulieu River. It was so magical out on the water, just cruising along nice and slowly, no one else around, and the the sound of the seabirds to keep me company.
This was bliss. There are two incredible facts to think about; one - going out on the water or in to the forest can bring immediate peace to a troubled soul. Green therapy is amazing, and it's free. Secondly - the earth is 4.543 billion years old and you were lucky enough to be alive at the same time as David Bowie.
David Bowie has absolutely no connection to my kayaking I just happen to really like his music and am listening to it as I'm typing this. The Thin White Duke was a musical legend, with perhaps the exception of The Laughing Gnome. But that is whole other can of worms that I have issues with.
Any way, back to the song of the paddle. Having got to the mud flats and had a mooch about I turned about and made my return to Lepe Beach with no incident, but still enjoying the tranquillity.
It was then back to the beach, get the wet kit off and the car loaded up and head for home and a cup of tea a happier and more chilled out Phil.
Paddles Up!
Of course the correct answer is to always paddle, be it paddleboard, boogie board or in yesterday's case the kayak.
It was one of those lovely ethereal mornings yesterday. Mist over the water, no wind and the only sound was the lapping of the waves on the beach. Once parked up I was soon set up, got my kit on and I was ready to go.
The slight problem I have with kayaking (or any other activity as mentioned in a previous blog) is my notorious lack of balance. This means that if I'm going to capsize I will generally do getting in to or out of the kayak, and this day was going to be no different with me going over both on egress and exit!
What was really great about going out yesterday was that I had absolutely no agenda or pre-determined route in my head. I was going out just for the sake of being on the water, not knowing if I would be out for 10 minutes or 4 hours.
As it turned out I was out for about an hour and a half, paddling from Lepe Beach down to the mud flats by the entrance to the Beaulieu River. It was so magical out on the water, just cruising along nice and slowly, no one else around, and the the sound of the seabirds to keep me company.
This was bliss. There are two incredible facts to think about; one - going out on the water or in to the forest can bring immediate peace to a troubled soul. Green therapy is amazing, and it's free. Secondly - the earth is 4.543 billion years old and you were lucky enough to be alive at the same time as David Bowie.
David Bowie has absolutely no connection to my kayaking I just happen to really like his music and am listening to it as I'm typing this. The Thin White Duke was a musical legend, with perhaps the exception of The Laughing Gnome. But that is whole other can of worms that I have issues with.
Any way, back to the song of the paddle. Having got to the mud flats and had a mooch about I turned about and made my return to Lepe Beach with no incident, but still enjoying the tranquillity.
Paddles Up!
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