A fun afternoon on the Humber, another circumnavigation of Whitton Island using the last two hours of the flood for the outward journey and the beginning of the ebb for the return trip. This time in the fast boats. With that easterly breeze it was always going to lump up a bit on our way back. Another 34km covered. Interestingly we recorded a top speed of over 17kmh, 8.5 knots.. you've got to love that tide assist.
Really nice to catch up with dear friend Jacqui, it has been too long. We headed to Whitby bright and early, arriving at 8am so we could progress up the river on the 10am HW tide. I've paddled this many times over the years but have never ventured further than the tidal, today we paddled all the way up from the harbour, to Ruswarp, portaging the weir, and then onto Sleights. About 13kms covered.. Jacqui is a very strong and technical paddler, she made advancing back up under the town bridge, against wind and tide, look so easy.. Quite novel paddling from harbour to the furthest possible on this little spate river and then back down to the sands by the shore..
What was supposed to be just a simple paddle turned quite eventful. South Landing, to the Head and then back down into Bridlington for coffee and bacon butties. Amazing views of the pod of dolphins in Brid bay, 8 in total, they put on a wonderful display, some jumping clean out of the water.... Then down to see the kites at Sewerby. Finally landing in Bridlington to be interviewed by Look North regarding the discharge of sewage in our rivers and seas. Thankfully the journey back up to the Landing was less eventful.
A lovely evening to paddle home from work. And unbelievably I found my water bottle that I lost a year ago 20 kms further up the river... The water in it was still clear, a good scrub and it will be as right as rain...
The circumnavigation of Whitton Island - Humber. We've done this journey several times in the sea kayaks but never on the SUP's. Todays settled conditions and tide timings meant we could give it a go. Launching from North Ferriby it was just over 28 kilometres in distance but with plenty of tide assist both ways we managed it all in just under 7 hours.
Wilfholme Landing to Brigham and back yesterday, a distance of about 18kms. Cold and misty to begin with but it soon warmed up.
An overnighter in the van with Fi and the cat at Filey last night, it really was so cool and Phoebe Cat did amazing. Then a quick little fool about in Filey Bay this morning followed by coffee and bacon sarnies at Country Park, quite a bit of surf on but launching on my own I did not venture far. Then home to dump the feline, swap boats and get in a quick 10km up the river. So nice to be able to wear shortie cag and neoprene again…
Back at it. Light enough for an after work evening paddle. A personal beasting up the river against flow but with a little wind assist. Beverley boatyard to Wilfholme. A not too shabby 9 kms in less that two hours.
A couple of hours in the open boats. It was a bit nippy but once on the move we kept warm. Wilfholme Landing to Hempholme Lock & return, a nice easy 8kms.
A solo run up the river on the paddleboard today in cold but benign conditions. Wilfholme to Brigham and back, a distance of about 17kms.
