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Well it was promising to be the finest day of the year as I
drove along the multitude of chaotic roadwork’s making up
what I once knew to be the Esplanade of Weymouth sea front,
Clive J visible to my right making his way by paddle power
across the bay to our start point at Bowleaze Cove. The Sun
was rising higher from the horizon, the wind deciding to
have a Sunday lay in and the large silhouette of HMS Ocean
turning her stern in land and making herself power under way
to a day of aircraft operations. Today was originally
planned as a rather short trip to Osmington, just 2 miles
each way, but with one of the smallest neaps of the year and
Miss Jillybeans travelling all the way from Ramsgate I
decided to add the extra mile to Ringstead and give us the
chance for an extra stop.
Wyke Jon, providing me assistance on this trip, turned up
with his normal enthusiastic time keeping and at 1020 we a
party of eight, teased on to a beautiful Sunday morning sea.
Though taking it easy and chatting among new faces to one
another we made rather fast progress and 45 minutes later we
were sat on shore at Ringstead having a rehydration session.
We decided to make use of the break and I gave some basic
theory briefs on GPS and VHF, Clive J adding some useful
extra information at the end with knowledge gained at the
Coastguard visit earlier that week.
The mile paddle back to Osmington for lunch allowed two
groups of three to practise some rescue tows, one with a
fake injury, an assistant to support and nurture the
casualty and the third using winter tired muscles to pull
the first two away from danger.
Lunch was like a picnic on a summer’s day, even Sharon come
to the cliff top in the pub car park to say hi. However,
looking down on a steep cliff path whilst wearing incorrect
footwear, she decided a wave to the others had to suffice.
The remaining two miles back to our waiting cars was just as
pleasant and Stew was happy to attempt a roll before we got
out, however it wasn’t quite there so in with my bow and he
executed a lovely hip flick, unscathed.
A lovely paddle with great company, its practically a motto
for this Club. Well done to all that supported me on this
trip,
Dicky
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