The Paddler Autumn/Fall issue 2017

Mark took one for the team and went down to
the sea at 05.00 in the pouring rain. It was
possible to launch, but where would we head to?
We might get a few kilometres further north,
and find a place to land, but then what? We
certainly weren’t going to make the Devon
border in the few days that we had left. So we
called in quits, 220km into our journey around
Cornwall but still an annoying 115km to go. A
few good weather days would see us finished.
We left with the wild idea that August bank
holiday would deliver a balmy summer delight.
I’m sure Porthtowan were pleased to see the
pop-up village depart.
Counting our blessings
Unbelievably, eight days later, I was back in
Porthtowan, sleeping in yet another car park.
Mark and I had watched the intervening weather
Adrenaline and
cold wet bodies fuelled a crazed run up the beach,
with the loaded boats.
forecast with amazement. Three days of calm
winds and sunshine were beckoning; this trip
could be finished, albeit minus half the team. After
being driven to the beach and tipped into my
(now much lighter) kayak, we launched at 07.30.
As I slammed down off the back of the miniature
clean surf, it was a joy to be back on the sea. The
Devon border seemed to be achievable.
This stretch of coast is filled with appealing
gullies and I managed to persuade Mark that we
had time to explore a few. There is also the
delightful pair of islands called Man and his man,
and the less imaginative Gull Rock #4. We
watched the top of the Atlantic swell rolling into
Perranporth and Holywell. In the shelter of
Newquay harbour, we waited for the afternoon
tide and spotted the resident seals. It was quite
clear why they were resident: mackerel. They
were being fed from the tourist boats!
ThePADDLER 43