Log Entry 15th October 2009

Over the years, and well before we acquired Lara, I had often thought about canoeing/kayaking as a suitable form of aquatic escapism. This was fuelled in no small part by a copy of the book "Canoes and Canoeing", published in 1962 and written by one Percy Blandford. It's a very typical example of those older style British texts, easily recognisable due to the fact that irrespective of whether one is engaging in carpentry, paddling a canoe or anything else for that matter, one must be suitably dressed in the correct clobber, usually collared shirt, tie and a buttoned jacket. It's one of the reasons we English once upon a time conquered half the world, attention to detail, standards, tea out of a proper cup and saucer and all that.


Yes Mr Blandford has a lot to answer for, for it was from this book that I lofted a line drawing and even got to the stage of constructing the frames for one of his Gannets. (I'm guessing that PBK 56 refers to Percy Blandford Kayak no 56).

Unfortunately that's as far as it got as I lacked the confidence and enthusiasm to complete the project due to my distinct lack of carpentry skills. Never make the mistake of mentioning these projects to a work colleague, unless you are sure you will finish it. Otherwise you will be subjected to years of "Have you finished making your canoe yet?" questions, accompanied by a smirk, because the enquirer knows damn well that you've given up.

Suffice to say, I'm not a traditionalist in any real sense of the word, and certainly don't need to be dragged kicking and screaming into the 21st century environment of CAD design, high tech Gen2 polyethylene plastics and U-V inhibitors. Hence I purchased one of these on Saturday past.

Pamlico 100 - Wilderness Systems Kayaks

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Reckon the last laugh is on you, Roy.

Log Entry 1st October 2009

Not a lot to report this outing, some video footage rather than photographs as I wanted to try something a little more ambitious regarding a trip record.



Left Wynnum around midday for Peel Island in a N/NW 10-15 knot breeze. Sailed around the northern end to take advantage of the wind direction which enabled us to track a nimble running-reach, gybing as we rounded The Bluff. Spent a couple of hours in Horseshoe Bay eating lunch. The water was a bit cold for a swim and with the breeze picking up we decided to head back around 4pm. As the wind had veered around to the N/NE and was now blowing 15-20 knots we returned along the same track, using the outboard to get us back around The Bluff. The 15-20 knot wind coupled with a one metre swell was not in itself dangerous, nonetheless made it quite difficult for me to raise the sails standing on the pitching deck. As a result I fell over twice smashing upper arm on something that later resulted in a huge bruise.

Boat fairly screamed along on the reach home, very exhilarating, particularly with the bow plunging into the swell throwing spray all over us. The sun set with us still about an hour from home but the wind eased and we enjoyed a beautiful dusk sail tracking beacons until we arrived back at Wynnum.

Night-time has to be my favourite time to sail. Difficult to explain why. As the darkness descends, the the water and land merge into the same dusky grey, the stars start to appear and beacons flash their presence here and there. Mesmerising - a sense of being alone without being lonely - I think.