The Paddler Autumn/Fall issue 2017

ThePADDLER 64
for a hostile port researcher on landing and
welcomed by a mob of youngsters and the
media. It does help to know the language and I
leave with a helping hand and a news piece by
an eccentric journalist in the local paper. All in a
day’s work.
Before we wrap that chapter though, I should
inform you that some prankster stole my spray
skirt. Now this isn’t the kind of thing you
account for. Broken paddle – sure, losing
bottles – yes, drowning a mobile or two – why,
not? But someone taking off with a Seal
Extreme Tour Spray Skirt in a country where
nobody has a kayak to match it and you can’t
find a replacement for thousands of miles, just
takes the cake. I have another small channel to
cross to get into the island of Bombay
(Mumbai), one that can get turbulent and see
some big container ships. To run or not to run
(without a spray skirt) is the question. I run.
Welcome home
Having squandered a month in the reckless
pursuit of the sea, it feels good to return
home. The fishing village of Uttan has been
alerted to the return of the prodigal
son and asked to come celebrate. I’ve
barely walked 10 metres on the beach
before I’m garlanded twice and the
topic of a town hall meeting by the beach.
The local politician is expounding on how
vision and resilience has helped this son-of-anon-fisherman
map the country’s coastline. I
could correct him and tell him how it was