Solway part 1 - Silloth to Bowness (and back)

Despite protestations over an early start to catch the tide, four of us made it out on Saturday 17 May. Jasper, Andy, Ian and I launched at 08:00 from the Silloth RNLI lifeboat ramp three hours before high water (HW). With cunning use of a newly acquired admiralty chart and tide tables we had worked out that we would be carried with the incoming tide up the firth, that we would stop for an early lunch at HW (however far we had got) and return to Silloth with the outgoing tide.

Our sources of local knowledge were otherwise engaged - Kevin and Mike couldn't make the trip this time - but things actually went to plan. An entertaining paddle around the sand banks gave a feel for the differences in tidal flow between the channel and the flats. Our mid-morning malt loaf stop (essential) on the sandy flats near Morricambe Bay saw us moving boats every few minutes in an attempt to keep ahead of the incoming tide. As we paddled, I amused myself and probably irritated everyone else by shouting out the ground speed reading from my GPS every few minutes - we actually raced along at 7 knots at one point albeit briefly - probably averaged 4.5 and covered about 20 Nm all in . NE force 3 meant a head wind to start but a welcome push from behind on the way back.

During lunch on the beach at Bowness-on-Solway Andy outlined his vision for a better Britain and Jasper enjoyed his sardines - I would vote for them both.

Each trip out presents opportunities for reflection - it is gradually sinking in that we need to be continually mindful of paddling as a group and of ensuring that we are all, if not in the comfort zone then, enjoying the adventure zone!

The early start had not been sooo early - in fact we all had an hours extra sleep due to the fact that I hadn't initially adjusted tide times for BST and we didn't need to be roused from slumber until after 5 a.m.! Hopefully Jasper has some photos on his James Bond wrist-mounted spy-cam - watch this space.

Oh...some more reading recommendations:

Reeds Practical Boat Owner Small Craft Almanac 2008 - lots of lovely info about tides. Go on, ask me a question about neaps in Wilhelmshaven or St. Malo.

Another favourite which seems quite pertinent to our intrepid exploits is:

The Ascent of Rum Doodle by W. E. Bowman - originally published in 1956, I think, but a classic and well worth a read. A tale of mountaineering daring do that epitomises something of the British explorer tradition. Well worth a read.

Ever onward...