Kayaking around Ireland for Parkinson’s - Week 5 (May 3- 9)
Belfast Lough → S. of Arklow
Distance: 152.5 nautical miles / 282.4 km
Total (this trip): 511.4 nautical miles/ 947.11 km
Paddling days: 7
Weather days: 0
Longest day: 30.4 nautical miles/ 56.3 km
(the second map is my total progress including my 2023 trip)
@aclima_norway @chmarine_ @icom_UK @realmealuk @adventure.ie @fuelforeffect @kokatatusa @teamfoxmjff @paddleandpitch @kayakcarriersystems @greatoutdoors76 @RockpoolKayaksofficial
Kayaking around Ireland for Parkinson’s - Week 4 (April 22 - May 2)
Magheroraty → Belfast Lough
Distance: 126.5 nautical miles / 234.27 km
Total (this trip): 385.1 nautical miles/ 713.2 km
Paddling days: 6
Weather days: 1
@aclima_norway @chmarine_ @icom_UK @realmealuk @adventure.ie @fuelforeffect @kokatatusa @teamfoxmjff @paddleandpitch @kayakcarriersystems @greatoutdoors76 @RockpoolKayaksofficial
Kayaking around Ireland for Parkinson’s - Day 34
Crossed Dublin Bay this morning and cleared the shipping lane, talking to Dublin VTS on the radio. I had to hold at Dublin Bouy #3 to wait for a cargo ship to pass.
Met up with writer friends @yvonne.gordon and @miachristinagram on the other side for coffee, snacks, and banter. (they took the photos of me leaving the harbor).
At Bray, I was joined by Séamas, who I’ve trained with in West Cork for the rest of the way to Greystones.
I’m now past the built up areas where it’s hard to find camping. Looking forward to getting back in my tent.
The east coast is 100% tide dependent, with southbound paddling windows only when the tide is ebbing down the Irish sea. I’m lucky with the weather this week (it’s never this good), but I’m also lucky that those windows are in the middle of the day this week. So, I don’t have to start early, finish late, or break up the day. I call these 9-10AM starts and 3-4PM landings “gentleman’s sessions”
@aclima_norway @chmarine_ @icom_UK @realmealuk @adventure.ie @fuelforeffect @kokatatusa @teamfoxmjff @paddleandpitch @kayakcarriersystems @greatoutdoors76 @RockpoolKayaksofficial
Kayaking around Ireland for Parkinson’s - Day 34 - Back in the Republic of Ireland after getting around the North in less than a week. Crossing Dublin Bay tomorrow morning.
Now, paddling schedule is dictated by the tides, going with the ebb down the Irish Sea. I’m making the most of some phenomenal weather with a possible finish in a week’s time.
Will have a lot to write about when I get home, but for now I’m focused on munching those miles in sunshine, calm seas, and fair tides.
@aclima_norway @chmarine_ @icom_UK @realmealuk @adventure.ie @fuelforeffect @kokatatusa @teamfoxmjff @paddleandpitch @kayakcarriersystems @greatoutdoors76 @RockpoolKayaksofficial
Parkinson’s - Day 31 - Short hop today to set up for a big push tomorrow.
On arriving in Newcastle, the folks at @southprom cafe put me in touch with the Newcastle Yacht Club where I could store my boat and sleep in the clubhouse.
Nextdoor, the RNLI lifeboat station was celebrating their 200th birthday with food, cake, and moving speeches. I was introduced as a special guest. Their crew and friends gave generously to my fundraiser for the Michael J Fox Foundation.
After the party, we plotted my course for tomorrow at the chart table aboard their all-weather lifeboat.
The hospitality and “craic” I’ve experienced in my short stay in Newcastle has been incredible. Everyone insisted they want nothing in return.
So, I’ll just say: Support the RNLI, give generously to your local lifeboat, and help each other out on the sea!
@aclima_norway @chmarine_ @icom_UK @realmealuk @adventure.ie @fuelforeffect @kokatatusa @teamfoxmjff @paddleandpitch @kayakcarriersystems @greatoutdoors76 @RockpoolKayaksofficial
Day 30 of kayaking around Ireland for Parkinson’s. Secluded beach on the Ulster Way. Not many quiet spots to camp until I’m past Dublin.
@aclima_norway @chmarine_ @icom_UK @realmealuk @adventure.ie @fuelforeffect @kokatatusa @teamfoxmjff @paddleandpitch @kayakcarriersystems @greatoutdoors76 @RockpoolKayaksofficial
