Circumnavigation of Britain 2012 - attempts

[Mark R]

Another paddler sets off, this one is in a hurry...

http://joeroundbritain.wordpress.com/

[jamesl2play]

There are a few people making Cornwall look very small over the past few days.

Very impressed with the mileage being achieved.

[TechnoEngineer]

Another paddler sets off, this one is in a hurry...

http://joeroundbritain.wordpress.com/

Sennen to Polzeath, blimey!

[Taran Tyla]

Just noticed Martin is midway on another big crossing as he heads to Bardsey, the long way :S
http://www.martinkayaking.co.uk/

[Mark R]

Just noticed Martin is midway on another big crossing as he heads to Bardsey, the long way :S
http://www.martinkayaking.co.uk/

I did pretty much the same crossing when I went around Wales. One interesting (the only interesting) thing I recall about it is that halfway across, you run aground on a sand bank...

[nigelhatton]

I have just noticed the the homeseahome crew http://share.findmespot.com/shared/face ... z8mBtvF057 have commited themselves into the Hartland - Lundy crossing. Let's hope they have no problems later when the tide turns against the South Westerly wind at the moment. By my estimate I'd say they'll arrive at around 9:15pm.

[Mark R]

Looks like Natalie and Michal have made it, good effort - a night landing on Lundy.

[JP9]

well done Natalie & Michal,have a good rest.

[nigelhatton]

I will stick my neck out and say something was rather worrying for them on this crossing. I know the area well and the dodgy tidal stream at the south east corner. Glad they're on dry land but not sure how, if you get my meaning! ( for those of us that have been there a few times)

[Mark R]

My understanding was that you'd only paddled to Lundy once, and that was from Lee Bay, not Hartland. Am I wrong?

[Geebee]

We we're on the island at the weekend, we paddled out from Woolacombe on Friday evening, round the island Saturday, and back to Hartland Sat evening. I'd hoped to bump into some of the circumnavigators particularly Joeroundbritain just to check if he is actually human given the mileage he appears to be doing! I'm sure his blog suggested that Lundy to Freshwater West was a short day!! I think we might of crossed on the Hartland leg but we didn't see him.

There was no atlantic groundswell at all at over the weekend, and although the tides were pretty chunky, we found both crossings to be suitably pleasant, but then we hadn't been paddling for three weeks before hand!

Best of luck to all of them.

Glyn

[Mark R]

Look where Natalie and Michal are, right now...

http://share.findmespot.com/shared/face ... z8mBtvF057

[Bazza S]

Yesterday Justine was filming an interview with Harry Whelan at South Stack and Joe Leach paddled past below. He had paddled from Porth Dinllaen on the Lleyn Peninsula and arrived at Cemlym on the North coast of Anglesey.
Well done Joe.
Barry

[Mark R]

Picking up hitchers...
http://homeseahome.com/2012/05/13/673/

[jamesl2play]

Martin is fast approaching The Mull of Galloway (2pm Tues) That is not a bad effort considering the weather forecast.


24 hour forecast:

Wind
Northwesterly 4 or 5, occasionally 6 until later.
Sea State
Slight or moderate, occasionally rough in far north.
Weather
Showers.
Visibility
Good, occasionally moderate.

[Douglas Wilcox]

It looks like Martin safely landed at east Tarbert Mull of Galloway today at 1538 after turning back at 1438 from an attempt to paddle round the Mull against the flood tide and the wind! Quite amazing. A west going eddy will form at 1845 tonight and it will be less windy tomorrow.

Safe passage Martin.

Douglas

[SeaKayakingAnglesey]

I'm dropping Joe off at Cemlyn after a few days off ready for an early morning start on his crossing to Isle of Man tomorrow.

[Graham T]

It seems to me that all the paddlers circumnavigating the UK at this time are showing a lot of steely determination, alied to good detached decision making I wish all of them continued success and journey fullfillment, certainly from my armchair all seem to be cranking out the mileage in less than easy conditions.

On Joes web site any one know what the "weird creature" is ? indeed it does look weird

[carpyken]

Our poor John has been busy building sand castles all day, I think he's determined to do a few miles tomorrow though - weather permitting of course...

http://www.clockwisekayak.com/

Ken

[nigelhatton]

I have been following most of these round UK paddlers with interest. I have formed the opinion that John Willacy is going to break the 80 day record, Martin king is going to be borderline for his 100 days. Homeseahome have been more weatherbound than they would like to have been. And that if I started this trip today I would have given up in a week through tiredness, lack of enthusiasm and impatience. So this is why I admire these guys and tend to day dream about it instead and settle for my once nightly 8 1/2 timetrial.

Well done to all of you and if I'm around when JW is in Devon waters I intend to take him to a restuarant and offer any assisstance I can.

[PhilAyr]

I have been following most of these round UK paddlers with interest. I have formed the opinion that John Willacy is going to break the 80 day record, Martin king is going to be borderline for his 100 days. Homeseahome have been more weatherbound than they would like to have been. And that if I started this trip today I would have given up in a week through tiredness, lack of enthusiasm and impatience. So this is why I admire these guys and tend to day dream about it instead and settle for my once nightly 8 1/2 timetrial.

Well done to all of you and if I'm around when JW is in Devon waters I intend to take him to a restuarant and offer any assisstance I can.

Hi Nigel ~

I wouldn't want to make a prediction at this stage. As Mark said earlier, this guy is in a hurry ! ..

http://joeroundbritain.wordpress.com/2012/04/29/109/

Phil

[Summit to Sea]

Ken,
It looks like John has passed on your generous offer of Bed & Board in exchange for a 30 minute "The Journey so Far" at the SKEG.

Lincolnshire sausages for breakfast on Sunday?

[Curragh]

Joe left the Isle of Man this morning for Ireland

http://www.manx.net/tv/mt-tv/watch/5572 ... rd-attempt

[Jim]

I hope John isn't superstitious!

I agree he is on schedule, but nothing is in the bag until both feet are firmly ashore at the start point*, hang on, that's not far enough, at the point of origin. Especially not with the weather patterns we've had so far this year!

Jim
*a bit of Devonshire based humour that some of the northern based members might not get... :-)

[Mike Mayberry]

I have been following most of these round UK paddlers with interest. I have formed the opinion that John Willacy is going to break the 80 day record...

I don't want to "jinx" him in anyway but I've had the figure 65 days in my head ever since he left. I'm not a betting man but I considered going to see what odds we could get on a sub 70 day record by the end of the summer. It is impressive to se all of the paddlers progress and clear that not all of them have the same objectives. Some going as quickly as they can, others to only complete the journey, with all of them making good decisions.

Keep up the good work people and enjoy the experience :)

[nigelhatton]

I am going to make a prediction for John Willacy's total time. Taking into account the distance covered so far and the probability the weather will get easier I think 70 days to get back to the start. Perhaps we could all put our predictions down and the closest estimate wins a X prize, X meaning unkown not a kiss.

[Mark R]

I can say hand on heart that I don't care a hoot if records are broken or not. The UK coast is so, so much more than just a race track. It's all about enjoying an incredible journey safely, in whatever way works for the paddler(s).

[JP9]

I can say hand on heart that I don't care a hoot if records are broken or not. The UK coast is so, so much more than just a race track. It's all about enjoying an incredible journey safely, in whatever way works for the paddler(s).

I will have to agree with Mark, having the opportunity and the courage to go round mainland Britain and not having the time to enjoy the coastline and meeting some great people along the way.

[Graham T]

Some time ago I was fortunate enough to exchange mail with Paul Caffyn who advised that such a trip be done in such a way that it was enjoyed rather than perhaps missing the journey just so that it had been achieved. He suggested that if under time constraints to take it as a trip in stages much as I believe Mark R is doing although I doubt he meant it to take how ever many years Mark now predicts for completion.
Each paddler will have their own reasons and motives for sure of how and why they are undertaking the journey, but I would echo that what has stood out for me is the apparent cool headed decision making of each of them to be safe even those who have said they are in a hurry.
I am enjoying watching and learning particularly those who are perhaps in a hurry, when they share their thought processes as to why they have decided to sit on shore, rather than venture out, be it weather, the forecast, or lack of opt out points or how much gas is left in the tank.
I have my own unshared idea of how long JW will be to the finish but like Everest you have only been successful if you make it back down safely and I hope and expect them to all continue making sound safe decisions, while I learn more about the coast line around the UK what the people and places visited are like, not to mention Mr pie and chips wry sense of humour always worth a read

[Boots]

This is a great achievement to complete whether fast or slow, everyone is different lets appreciate that, each person has there individual goal, all need encouraging.I don't think anyone see s it as a race track but maybe a challenge and one I wish I had enough time to do, go fast go slow but enjoy............

Happy paddling, Boots