Shoreham On Sea.

We left knowing the wind was against us but persistence gave way. To scraped miles.
Into the wind and a massive slog. We didn’t stop anywhere till we got to Brighton. The Victoria buildings reminded me of nice days by the sea but this wasn’t one. We landed in the harbour for a quick pee break and a snack. There were new building developments going in.
Out of the harbour I could see Shoreham in the distance and carried on paddling. Gently cursing the wind under my breath. This was the first time I had done this and was quickly stopped by my conscience. Who am I to curse the nature of the beast.
We landed at Shoreham and lifted the boats up to a safe place.
Speaking to one of the RNLI guys we were invited in for tea. Yay for tea, how could I refuse. They were doing an exercise later and had just received a new inshore craft so were going to try it out. This was the first time I had seen a boat on the slide launch and it was amusing to watch.
We camped close to the building and had a relatively good sleep.

Newhaven

We were given a lift into Shoreham by Paul wife Julie and caught the bus. I had great fun in teaching the Lime and the Coconut song to his children. Hopefully I’m not hated for that. We a river back at Newhaven and put our Things together for the departure the day after.

Newhaven

We were given a night with Paul Krysik and his family. It was great to feel a little normality. Thanks to them for their hospitality. It was nice to speak with Paul and see his self made Shrike and taran. He had also made small boats for his children. They were amazing.

Newhaven

Checking the weather we decided to stay in the RNLI station again. 
My boat was being glassed by http://www.supernovasurfboards.com/ so I went there first thing and sanded the beast down. I’ve been to loads of surf shops but this is the best for real. Nice boards and Craig the boss is a dude. Thanks to him for sorting out the boat. Snoozing a little later I went back for a bit of a social. There was a surf babe there buying a beaut of a board and we all chatted for a while it’s good to find people who like the sea I’m new ish to surfing so learned some more about it.
Returning back to the RNLI station the supermarket called and Beanfeast in wraps was eaten.

Newhaven

Wow what a suprise today gave. A fast paddle with a tail wind and tide plus an unexpected meeting wits Craig the owner of http://www.supernovasurfboards.com/.
We got up extra early and we’re on the water by 630. Exceptional early for team katie and lee but the tide was just right and we wanted to avoid the bad weather.
Wow. I was noticing the difference in the weight of my boat now. It was lovely. We paddled off straight across the bat to the west side of Eastbourne. Landing for a pee break and something to eat. A quick call from a friend and some snacks and we were back on the low road.
Beachy Head wasn’t that great but the lighthouse looked cool and there was some ropes leading to it. The seven sisters were misleading as there are eight of them. We paddled on and landed in Newhaven there was a slipway and we pulled the boats up and the sky erupted. I popped in to the surf shop and explained what was going on. Wow what a nice guy. We went to the harbour and sorted out the shower code then back to the surf shop. Craig the owner had said he would glass the back of my boat that was getting thin. Again what a dude. While I was sorting out the boat Katie had gone to the RNLI station. Wahey what luck we would have somewhere to stay and keep the boats. Double bonus. What a great day.

Hastings

An amazing pizza today and taking England by storm in a 1066 reinactment wasn’t.
Now the wind is so flustrating we are so close but so far and don’t want to push it. A rough landing could break the boat or pushing too hard could result in an injury that could mess up our finale. Leaving Rye early enough to catch the last of the tide and avoid the river drying out and we were off.
We had every intention for a long day but our enemy the wind started throwing the toys out the pram. As we rounded the corner at Hook Ledge we found it again. The wind and struggled on a little to Hastings. The tide was low and would be turning soon. We landed and got the boats up to the high tide and decided to have a little snooze and some food. Looking out at the water we could see it wasn’t going to be on the water that afternoon. Katie went to explore and found the Commodore of the angling club. We were shown a shed in which we could sleep.
Katies parents turned up and took some of our kit we no longer needed and we met a lovely lady Rose and her dog Dorrathy she recommended a restaurant which was amazing. Thanks to her.

Rye harbour

The wind was definitely not our friend today. On a lighter note the weather was right up to the minute and we had an awesome meal brought to us by Katies parents.
We had a late start to the day as the range didn’t shut till after 430.
Well it was still windy and was nice to have a lie in even if it was baking in the tent.
I went for a little walk and ended up being a big walk to the shop for some needed supplies. It’s good to have some civilisation sometimes.
We watched some of the locals getting a boat non the water down the shingle. It was like a Chuckle Brothers outtake and almost painful to watch.
After we had lunch we got ready for on the water. This side of the Ness the water was calm but we knew it wasn’t going to be an easy one.
The tide was with us but we couldn’t feel it at all the wind was creating some awful chop as we passed the power station but we continued. Arriving 10 minutes early the range was still open and we had to tread water for a while. It was painful but we heard the all clear and we’re off.
Shiiiit this wasn’t going to be easy. The wind was right in our face and making a mess of the water with wind over tide. Occasionally there were breaking waved and I got drenched several times with waves breaking over my head. Low bracing with them all. This was getting ridiculous, the feeling of the home straight and we were nearly home was getting trashed with the wind and weather like a reminder that it isn’t over till I drop the lucky 10p back in Swanpool car park.
We kept on paddling almost waiting for the weather to ease. The beach was awful and a horrible looking landing all the way along.
There was a massive oh no suprise as a lifeboat RIB came our way. Oh no what was going on? Had Katies mum phoned and spoke to them? They came over and said they had spoke to someone’s mum and they were on a training exercise.  Phew at least they weren’t after us.
We paddled a bit further out as the waves were now breaking more frequently here.
As 7 o’clock appeared as if by meteorological magic the weather died down and we could paddle in some easy sea.
As we got closer to the river entrance and harbour we could see katies parents. Yay. As we landed there was the RNLI guys and one of the chiefs. We were welcomed into the station after they had had their debrief and ate a beautiful picnic.

Dungeness

Today i felt a bug loss.
What an amazing nights sleep. One of the best places I have slept. It was great and we managed to creep away early enough to catch some tide the wind hasn’t given up on being in our face yet. Radioing in to ask to leave we were given a green light and a good luck from the harbour master.
There was a little pull from the tide as we left and looking across to Folkestone and Dungeness. There is a military range and we landed to phone them. It had taken us a while to get to there and we were worried about getting through the range on their lunch break. We were told it was ok to go through and we re launched in some snotty break and we’re escorted through by the ranges and we’re doing about 2 knots an hour. Not a speedy progress but good enough to get through. We hadn’t had lunch yet as we intended to make it to the range and eat so we started to look for somewhere to land. There Was one long concrete wall with rocks and steps every now and then. There was a slipway and it was a bit too rough at this one so we paddled on to the next.  It was a little calmer and between sets there was some calm so I went in.  Great landing and no big bumps. Phew. Katie had a little bit of an exciting landing but held her own fine.
We stripped of and hung out the wet stuff to dry. A dry windless warm place was found and it was time to eat.
We packed up our stuff and launched, much easier than the landing. The wind was still being a pain but was dying down a little later on.
There is a massive drying out bay so we were paddling in some relatively shallow water all the way to the headland.
We landed and had a bit of a struggle with the boats up the steep shingle beach. We placed the boats in a point and placed the boat in some shelter created by them. The wind was pretty strong and the bungie straps held the tent well.
Much to my dismay I found I had lost my spoon. I don’t know if anyone else gets attached to simple objects but I’m gutted, it had been with me on many of my adventures and I always kept it on my deck.  Old spoon, a toast to you and your new life. I don’t know what has happen to it but if someone has found you I’m sure their love will never compare to mine.

Dover.

More headwind today. Leaving Deal a little later than desired because of shopping for a map, phoning the Dover harbour our plans.
The water at Deal was calm and the swell was minimal as we were out of the wind but the views were hampered by mist so no view of France. A short paddle round the headland gave us an awful headwind and the usual battle commenced.
At last the white cliffs of Dover appeared, no blue sky but it was there. We paddled towards the harbour. The VHF was cackling with traffic. I radioed in when I was a mile from the entrance and was asked to paddle to the harbour mouth. There was a ferry arriving and we were told to follow the sailing boat to the harbour. We tied the boat up to a pontoon and spoke to the harbour masters. We went and brought the elusive chart and returned to the RNLI station. The guys seemed friendly enough and we checked the weather.  Noooo a force 6 to 7 was expected. We decided to stay. The facilities were good and I had a quick walk around.
We moved the boats at one point and we met a lovely couple who own an old lifeboat from Weymouth. Local ish to me. Well we explained what we were doing and they said we could sleep in the front of their boat. Wow what an invite. We spent the evening chatting and laughing.  It was great to sleep in a lifeboat.

Deal

Harry and his wife Espie are great hosts and it was good to have some humor and alcohol. We were soon down at the beach and with two fingered waves from Harry we were off. Using the last of the tide to pull us around the headland past Margate and the other various seaside resort towns. He mornings paddle had started great with some fun lovely tail wind but as soon as we rounded the headland the wind picked up and soon it was becoming a slog battle into the winds.
We needed to get a chart of the next section so went to Ramsgate. There was a jobsworth giving us grief because we didn’t radio in saying it’s a working harbour blah blah blah, there were various rib boats going round so it looked like they were really paying him attention. Landing on the slipway Katie went into town to go find the chandlers.
I had found a new friend, some year 9 kid who seemed to have questions for everything. Katie returned and we found out the chandlers was closed. This was Sunday and there was a carnival going on. Noooo, we dried off out kit in the sun and ate lunch.
Back on the water we left late ish but the wind had died down enough but it was still a struggle.
Out across the bay and finding some sanctuary from the wind we made good progress to Deal.
When we landed there was some loud drunken sounds coming from the rowing club.  A quick conversation with the chairman and we had found a secure place for the boats and were invited in. They had had a couple of regattas over the weekend and had done really well.
We were writing up our blogs with the Internet and then a speachless was made we were included. Yay fame.
The drunken activities continued and we actual were invited to drink from the cup. I don’t know what it was but it was awful. At chuck out time there was plenty of chucking up from the youths and we played dodge the sick whilst leaving. The tent was put up on the concrete path at the top of the beach and I noticed I could see the light pollution of France. Wow what a feeling. This was definitely another step on the circumnavigation.