What a great day!

Today has been a great day. First things first though; Donations hit £2000 today! I am totally stoked. Special thanks to everyone who has donated, some pals I haven’t seen in a long time and some people I don’t even know personally – though I hope to rectify that at some point.

Also I received two books through the post today that contain handy information for the kayaker, both published by Pesda Press. The Outer Hebrides guide by Mike Sullivan Robert Emmott and Tim Pickering, kindly sent to me for nowt by Franco Ferrero. I only asked him for a couple of pages on the Minch crossings. I also received a copy of the Scottish Sea Kayak Trail by Simon Willis. Following Franco’s generosity, I had a pang of guilt and ordered one direct from Simon, who wrote a nice wee dedication wishing me luck. Simon’s been very supportive so far, pointing me in the direction of helpful people and things. If you’re a paddler you should listen to his stuff, he gets around the kayaking scene like chicken pox at a kids party.

I’ve also received contact back from some friends in some of the London Kayak Clubs. We’ll hopefully have stuff going on down there the weekend of February 12/13. More information to follow soon!

Also a mention today should go to Jamie Richards. He was put in my direction way back in 2010 by Ed Wardle (‘Hello Bears’ ring a bell anyone?). Now to be honest I have been sceptical of the title nutritionist ever since the crazy Scottish poo lady hit our screens years ago. I can’t go into that though, it wouldn’t be appropriate. What is appropriate though is that Jamie’s suggestions are sensible and adaptable to the real world.

For example; For years I have baulked at the concept of buying isotonic drinks. At home I mix pure fruit juice with water and wee splashes of salt and suger…works a treat.

So when Jamie suggested instead of expensive off the (online) shelf athletic recovery foods I could eat Peanut Butter and Jam sandwiches to do the same job I went all Jerry Maguire and said, “stop Jamie, you had me at peanut butter!”

The rest of his advice could be put in summary as, lay off the sweeties, eat healthy fibrous stuff and there is a reason Italians get fat – pasta. Maybe that’s a bit too succinct, but some of the stuff he said is working. I can paddle to Arran on next to no food, I don’t have any stiff muscles the following day and I’m feeling good.

I also went paddling today, not a big paddle, just a couple of hours out to Cumbrae then north into the water past a couple of buoys and east to the shore and south back down to Largs. I stuck plenty of wee sprints into it to tire myself and hopefully build a bit of strength into the old body.

Then once I was feeling pooped I stopped, called the Clyde Coastguard on the VHF and told them not to worry, I was deliberately going for swim. this is advice I took from a well known and respected Scottish sea kayak coach. Tire yourself and then swim, to show you can, after all who falls in when they are fresh? Have a look at the videos below of today’s session.

Some people have been asking will I have a Safety Boat. No. I don’t intend to fall in. If I do I’ll roll.

But what if you come out of your boat;

Well then I’ll get back in and have a play….

Hope you’ve enjoyed today’s ravings, thanks again to all of you wonderful sponsors no matter what you have given. Be it help, money or resources. You all count. Big Time!