Post by chris329a on Mar 23, 2011 19:07:03 GMT
As the fish are still on holiday still in the Solent I decided to have a quick day trip to the Isle of Wight to relax.
Just before I set off, I decided I'd better ring Solent Coastguard to let them know what I was up to, then headed off from Hillhead.
The trip across was very uneventful and enjoyable. I did chuckle though when they announced on the radio that there was going to be a controlled explosion near Calshott as I was originally going to be going right past that at that time.
Headed for Osbourne House (I think?!) and found the only spot to crash land......just before I landed, this moron decided to use me for target practice...
Landed safely.
After a quick lunch, headed back trying to use the sail as best I could (not very well though!) Next this bloke aimed for me, but as I had a sail too we were equal....well only as far as Solas are concerned!
Headed out to Bramble Bank for a butchers to see if anyone was fishing.....but no-one there. Then I got a call from the Coastguard asking if I was ok. I asked why and he said someone had been watching me from Cowes with his binoculars and saw me "drifting out to sea"! I explained that I was, but that's generally how you get home! Perhaps he wasn't used to seeing someone leave the Island before ;D Maybe it was when i stopped paddling to film this? but glad I phoned it in or would have wasted their time.
Then I heard another call on CH16 asking someone to move out of the blast zone near Hurst Spit as they were in the way
As I was in the middle of the other shipping lane, this was headed straight for me - nothing like a bit of motivation!
Due to my Brambles diversion, headed back against the wind and tide for some exercise, and arrived back to the usual torrent of questions from the public including the funniest one of "Are those arms at the front for finding your way home?" - he meant the fishing rod holders, at the BACK?! haha. God knows what he thought they did?!
Anyway, 9 miles done, avoiding WAFIS, working boats and shipping. All in a days fun in the sun
All good practice for paddling over in August with others to meet on the East side in one big huge coincidence that isn't an organised event
Just before I set off, I decided I'd better ring Solent Coastguard to let them know what I was up to, then headed off from Hillhead.
The trip across was very uneventful and enjoyable. I did chuckle though when they announced on the radio that there was going to be a controlled explosion near Calshott as I was originally going to be going right past that at that time.
Headed for Osbourne House (I think?!) and found the only spot to crash land......just before I landed, this moron decided to use me for target practice...
Landed safely.
After a quick lunch, headed back trying to use the sail as best I could (not very well though!) Next this bloke aimed for me, but as I had a sail too we were equal....well only as far as Solas are concerned!
Headed out to Bramble Bank for a butchers to see if anyone was fishing.....but no-one there. Then I got a call from the Coastguard asking if I was ok. I asked why and he said someone had been watching me from Cowes with his binoculars and saw me "drifting out to sea"! I explained that I was, but that's generally how you get home! Perhaps he wasn't used to seeing someone leave the Island before ;D Maybe it was when i stopped paddling to film this? but glad I phoned it in or would have wasted their time.
Then I heard another call on CH16 asking someone to move out of the blast zone near Hurst Spit as they were in the way
As I was in the middle of the other shipping lane, this was headed straight for me - nothing like a bit of motivation!
Due to my Brambles diversion, headed back against the wind and tide for some exercise, and arrived back to the usual torrent of questions from the public including the funniest one of "Are those arms at the front for finding your way home?" - he meant the fishing rod holders, at the BACK?! haha. God knows what he thought they did?!
Anyway, 9 miles done, avoiding WAFIS, working boats and shipping. All in a days fun in the sun
All good practice for paddling over in August with others to meet on the East side in one big huge coincidence that isn't an organised event
