Week One Complete!!

We did indeed get stuck in Coverack for a day. With big swell and big winds the RIB got moved out of the bay into the harbour for safe keeping.
We set off on Friday morning for Porthleven but large chop that had not yet dispersed from the previous night put paid to kayaking about a mile out. With myself and the kayak loaded up Dan took us expertly around The Lizard and, wouldn't you believe it, as we pulled into Porthleven the winds dropped off and the sea flattened out!
After pasties and a good night sleep we set off from Porthleven on Saturday, Penzance bound. Conditions weren't ideal but weren't bad so we decided to give it a go. We made great progress to Praa Sands and then got a tad mullered by the off shore winds. After a cheeky 1 mile tow across the bay into the more sheltered Mounts Bay I paddled hard for St Michael's Mount. In strong headwinds I made it to 1 mile outside Penzance harbour. At this point the wind really picked up and made any further progress impossible. With aching muscles from a hard days paddle Dan piled myself and the kayak into the RIB for the last time and we headed into harbour. It may not have been the finish we were all hoping for, but we made it in - safe and sound.

At the end of this first week it seems like a good time to do a bit of reflection, so here goes...........

This project was ambitious from the start, and it has certainly tested limits both mentally and physically. There have been ups and downs, and I'm sure there will be more as we head into the second week, but it's all worth it. What is has done is reaffirm how lucky I am to have such wonderful people in my life. Without Mum or Dan this project could never have gone ahead. It is a team effort right down to the core. I truly have amazing friends and family. Dan, Kerri and I are a tripod that I'm sure will be found in the same nursing home when we are old and knackered comparing notes on practical jokes played on the unsuspecting staff, I will always be grateful for their love and support. Also my Mum is amazing! She gives so much and asks for so little in return. She is a fantastic parent and also a tremendous friend. This project has also given rise to new friendships, and that is always lovely!

A lesson I have learnt is that it is important to focus on the good, the bits you can do or have done, and not necessarily the bad. I am a great one for cheering on others and berating myself for not doing better. Yes, I may have finished paddling just 1 mile off the finish line but hey! I got to within 1 mile of the finish line -that means a previous 7 miles of paddling that day and I am proud of those previous 7 miles. There were those along the way who were quite rude about our efforts (the campsite owner who declared "kayaking doesn't take it out of you!" was a particular favourite) but in the main people have been fantastically friendly and helpful. 2 campsite owners gave us discounts because they felt the project was worth supporting, people like that are the ones worth remembering. Kayaking does take it out of you. In this past week I have done 46 miles powered solely by my own physical strength (and a little bit of tidal lift!), that's no mean feat!! I'm proud of myself and I am very much looking forward to seeing a chiropractor!!!!

So here we go, 2 days without paddling (but plenty of packing, re-packing and faffing!) and then it's island hopping time! Again each day is sea dependant, safety is paramount, but we hope to make it to each of the inhabited islands of Scillonia. I'll keep you as posted as I can!

Sara x