Kayaks had to be carried up a steep path from the river Lune to the Lancaster Canal 30 metres above before we could continue the next stage of our journey. The Lancaster Canal runs right through the old industrial heart of Lancaster and we found ourselves paddling amongst huge mill buildings that are at various stages of well deserved re-development. Unfortunately we had no time to stop at any of the fine pubs en route. I feel a return will be appropriate when we have longer daylight hours.
Finally the canal leads out into the beautiful Lancashire countryside and for the most part we were sheltered from the harsh prevailing weather.
Once we arrived at the village of Galgate it was time to turn right onto the Glasson Branch of the Lancaster Canal. It was to prove the most exhausting stretch. We were now paddling northwest right into the prevailing icy wind, and there were 6 locks to portage. Once we arrived after dark back at Glasson Dock we treated aching bodies to hot chocolate beside a nice warm fire in the Victoria Pub........... Perfect!
....... A warming glow .......
Last year's challenge was padded by the close proximity of 'John Mark and Robbo's Easy Drinking Whisky Co.' and their never ending supply of free samples, but I knew that this time they wouldn't be there. So imagine my delight upon arrival, at the sight of our neighbours for this year's festival weekend.
.......... and we all got along just fine, despite our differences (whatever they were).
From the mountains to the sea....
Among the greats of mountaineering that graced the BMC stand was Alan Hinkes who is the first British mountaineer to complete all of the world's 14 peaks over 8000 metres. Having marvelled at the views of South Stack and the sheer cliffs of Gogarth Bay, Mr Hinkes (left) enquired enthusiastically as to the nature of further adventures depicted in the 'Welsh Sea Kayaking' guidebook.
The reminiscence of his early days as an outdoor instructor in Northumberland included tales of paddling in huge seas and tide races around the Farne Islands and Lindisfarne. The subject moved on to future projects and the possibility of a sea kayakers guide to the shores of northern England and the Isle of Man grew with each golden sip of Orkney malt.
I was joined by my colleagues Tina (with whom I have done much of the training) and Andy (who has been rather secretive about his training schedule).
As I wandered around at the race registration area I became all too conscious of the whippet like and focused appearance of my fellow competitors. Undeterred, I completed with my preparations before meeting with Tina and Andy to take the short bus ride to the start at Nant Peris.
The first part of the course climbs the Llanberis Pass, a huge but steady climb of over 250 metres after which it is down hill all the way to Bedggelert, the half way point at 13 miles. It was at this point when an old injury sustained many years ago playing football began to make itself apparent. It had been raining heavily for the last four miles.
As the hill topped out I was soon off to a good pace again and soon approached Rhyd Ddu where Kirstine and my brother Chris were waiting. Their vocal, moral and practical support gave me a real boost. The weather had deteriorated considerably and I was thankful for Kirstine’s windproof top without which I would certainly have succumbed to hypothermia.
This was much needed as what followed was a painful and slippery descent into the final stages of the race at Llanberis. Once off the hill Colin and I managed to run some of the last mile to cross the finish line in just over 6 hours.
The conditions weren't ideal but we did get to see interesting patterns in the mist as it tumbled from Vale of York, over the sea cliffs and out to sea. 
Mid morning boating in the sea off Scarborough.
Breathtaking views over Flamborough Head.
Back at the Eddsfield the atmosphere in the 'control tower' was lively and friendly as folk were dropping in and making plans for their next flights. I had a wonerful flying experience and a great time amongst some lovely peple. 
Sean and I made our way to the point and got ready to put on at a beach beside a car-park the warden's boss turned up and told us that we weren't allowed to launch. He refunded our entrance fee. We didn't argue but instead looked for other places to launch.
Our search was unsuccessful. There was just too much soft estuary mud, which in places made for pretty circles around boat moorings. We decided that it was still early enough to go somewhere else and still get some paddling done so we headed north for Flamborough!
Our route started at a small cove with a lifeboat station and RNLI shop on the southern edge called South Landing.
Despite many preceeding days of calm weather it wasn't long before long we encoutered swell breaking on the reefs that extend a mile or so out to sea.
In the late afternoon sunshine we continued on our way from North Landing, along the coast towards Bempton where the tall cliffs play host to thousands of nesting seabirds during the spring and summer.
I joined some nice folk from Duddon Canoe Club on a trip round the island. We started at the public slipway on Roa Island and began to make our way northwest up the Walney Channel.
Progress was swift on the rising tide as the imposing industrial skyline of Barrow-in-Furness loomed out from the misty morning.
This is locally known as 'The Big Shed'. This is where BAE Systems make 'Big Things'!
The North End is a perfect quiet spot for a lunch break.
As the tide falls, water ebbs to the west into the Irish Sea. The resulting tiderace is perfect for a spot of surfing before heading off to explore the west side of the island.
The west side of Walney has some good surfing spots but there is little more to expolre than miles of sandy beaches.
Peter's briefing was a short sermon, the kind that may have kept me interested in going to church. As we paddled north along the promenade wafts of doughnuts, chips and pies flowed strongly on the gentle south-easterly breeze.
Glen was mezmerised by the whirling lights and almost became caught up in the giant wheel on Central Pier. Phew Glen , that was a close one!
In the meantime Mark was trying to work out how to get his kayak onto the 'Big One'. In the meantime my mind was on supper. The weather had been kind - Peter's guidance was spot on, and we even found a wonderful Fish and Chip shop just across the road from where we landed.
I don't take part in events like the Macclesfield Half Marathon all that often because I enjoy running on my own (or with a couple of friends) so much. But running with 200+ people on a pleasant autumn morning in the rolling Cheshire countryside has been great (if slightly painful) fun!
I was joined by 2 colleagues Tina (left) and Tony (right) the picture above was taken before the race!
This picture (above) was taken a good five minutes after we had all finished. The smiles gradually returning, once painful memories of the last hill begin to fade. There are more pictures of Tina, me and Tony on the official race photos website.
........ This is definitely the place to find religion!
There was enough swell to make the rockhopping interesting......
....... light winds and plenty of sunshine for a perfect paddling day.
We spent the following day wandering round Reykjavik exploring the towns many delights. The next morning Pat, our guide met us at the guest house 101 where we were staying but as we boarded the flight to Kulusuk in Greenland he told us that he had to attend to a serious problem at home and would have to leave us with a replacement guide.
The approach to Kulusuk gives stunning views of mountains, glaciers and sea littered with pack ice and icebergs.
It was as we made further preparation that Pat dropped a real bombshell. There would be no replacement guide for us. If we were to continue this trip, it would have to be on our own. Having come all this way it seemed impossible to turn back at this stage. Pat furnished us with a shotgun with ammunition and some other bear deterrents. All of this was highly unnerving. I found that sleep was hard to come by with one eye open for Polar Bears. Arctic foxes were a bit of a nuisance. They would steal any food not stored away inside hatches and also liked to chew almost anything made of rubber.
On day 5 we arrived at the settlement of Tinetiqilaq with views of the Greenland ice cap the fjord here is fed by 3 huge glaciers and the sea is littered with impressive ice, huge structures, and all of them mobile.
We found a beautiful ice laden bay in which to camp for a couple of days. with splendid views across the cluttered waters to the ice cap in the distance. The nights were never quiet because the sound of icebergs cracking is like thunder, a kind of constant grumbling.
The following four days were dogged by unsettled weather. We pressed on through to another system of fjords. Although it rained at times there were never any strong winds and the rain was never all that heavy. Temperature inversions created layered cloud and mist structures - quite atmospheric.
Weather improved as we drew closer towards our return to the Kulusuk area and it was good to dry out some damp kit beside a driftwood fire. The next day we took a route which was exposed to the open sea. Real Atlantic swell and choppy clapotis gave us some interesting conditions, possibly more than our hired boats were intended for.
In the last couple of days we explored a glacier that meets the sea with huge ice cliffs before returning to Kulusuk to dry out our kit and enjoy the warmth and comfort of the Hotel Kulusuk.
My late (11am) start did me no favours so I walked quickly along the steep paths through the woods. The steep ascent soon rewarded me with excellent glances through the trees to views up the Onde valley.
I was pleased to find a varied selection of plant life in the woods including Hostas and Orchids.
Once out above the treeline the Alpine meadows are strewn with collages of flowers and grasses patrolled and scrutinized by Buzzards and Alpine Choughs.
As I neared Tete d'Aval,which is the lowest of the peaks at 2698m the prevailing weather to the north began to look a little suspect so I quickly descended back the way I came.....
...but not before taking a couple of photos to the south down the Durance Valley towards L'Argentierre La Besse...
