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.