Weather forecast

Call me impatient, but you know what I am like when it comes to weather and my anorak tendencies.

The weather forecast for the English channel is looking bloody good, I am a bit premature but see what you think, its looking like Wednesday or Thursday to me.

1 Week to go

Well, that's the last training session before the crossing of the English Channel.

I had a fantastic weekend training on the Menai Straits with Liverpool Canoe Club. On the Saturday we left from Beaumaris and headed NE around Puffin Island and back. I have anchored many a time off Puffin Island on Zuma but seeing the island from a Kayak was amazing. Sunday they took me to the Swellies and scared the life out of me with my first white water session, I took a dip a couple of times but I learnt so much.

Thank you the ladies and gentlemen at Liverpool Canoe club for their help over the last few months.

Now I am to rest for the rest of the week with no gym and no kayaking :) concentrate on my diet and prepare mentally for the challenge.

Kayak

All getting very real

2 weeks to go

I am getting that 'why did I say I would do it' feeling and starting to doubt my fitness.. But I returned to the gym yesterday for the first time with a strapped up back and it felt good.

I am hopefully away this weekend in Anglesey to get some sea practice in.

Thank you for the recent donations, It means so much..

Hilbre race

Well, I entered my first race on Sunday and it was very clear from the start that I require a few more lengthy sessions on the sea.

Out of 36 entrants I came 30th, one thing I learnt was preparation is key as a late night before and a week out of the gym due to a injury to my back a week ago in the gym led to my stamina levels being very low.

On a positive, I didn't capsize in quite heavy overfalls at the end of Hilbre Island.

I picked my new paddle from Go Kayaking today and I am itching to get out and try it out.. Thanks for the discount Go Kayaking.

Click on video below to see some of the 'race'

http://youtu.be/PeQ9aij3nNM

Less than 4 weeks to go

Its all becoming very real now and the nerves are kicking in.

Completed an 18 mile kayak up the Conwy River on Sunday with a sore back caused by lifting a little too much weight in the gym earlier in the day, but with plenty of pain killers I felt good and really enjoyed it.

I am going to stay out of the gym for a week or so until the 'ald' back is feeling better.

Go Kayaking in Runcorn have kindly helped with my purchase of a new paddle by giving a welcomed discount in return for advertising on the web site. Thank you Fran from Go Kayaking.

Nasty swan

Had a great kayak in the Bridgewater Canal today, completed my first 15 miles all be it in flat calm water.


Here is a short video of my encounters with a fearless swan.
http://youtu.be/e55jWe0m7l4