1st January 2009
well we kind of survived new year, a little hung over!!!!!
sorting boats and kit was the name of the game again. There was also a really good chat with a guy called Pat who was skipper of the Tamar a local supply vessel he gave us loads of good information about currents on the West side.
The eveing was spend chatting to Lief Poncet a local sailing and kayaker the only person perviously to have manage to complete a circumnavigation and an alround great guy.
this is hopefully the final prep day with a hope that we will get going tomorrow or Sunday weather depending.
31st december New years eve
we spend quite a bit of the day sorting out our food supplies and packing them ito boxes to be sent to food drops, finding fuel and local information on local proceedures and tides.
We found someone from the camp who offered to repair Tom's boat so good news.
As a group of 5 with the other 3 kayakers we went out for diner before sampling the pubs of Stanley.
30th December
well on getting up this morning, not quite used to the timings and the sun rising at about 3.30 in the morning. We went and unwrapped the boats and give them the once over. Most seemed good unfortuately it looked like Toms boat had been dropped on the skeg box and had broken throught the hull so good glass work was going to be required.
We spend some of the day walking into town and checking out some of its history which was a great experence.
we have already experience the range of Falklands weather rain, gale, hail, sun with sun burn and thats all within and hour.
December 29th
Well after a long flight we arrived at mount pleasant airport. The quot of the day coming from the cabin crew saying there was a gail warning so please dont carry small children off the flight let them walk.
Chris from the other party had manage to get us accomodation at Hillside camp, so we are living in style with a good bed, lots of good food and fanstanic hospitlaity from the Camp staff.
Sunday, December 28, 2008
We have met up with the Chris, Rich and Tim, the party of 3 we have been sharing logistics with to get to and from the Falklands as well as sharing local information. Thier blog site is seakayakingfalklands2009.blogspot.com
It feels like Tom and I are in the departure lounge on Tracey Island our Flight number is 'Romeo Romeo 3210' with an hour and five mins till take off. Tom is on good form he has already been lynched by security for taking photos of sensitive places. Next stop Acension Island sometime early in the morning.
It feels like Tom and I are in the departure lounge on Tracey Island our Flight number is 'Romeo Romeo 3210' with an hour and five mins till take off. Tom is on good form he has already been lynched by security for taking photos of sensitive places. Next stop Acension Island sometime early in the morning.
Saturday, December 27, 2008
I am now on my way back to the UK to meet with Tom, after leaving my lovely dog Jet with my parents in France. Tom and I will be meeting up in the morning before travelling to the airport in the after noon.
We have come across a couple of websites one which gives a good insight as to what we can expect to see in the Islands once we get there. The other is a site which gives a 6 day forecast which will give and insight into what summer conditions are like in the Falklands.
www.weather-forecast.com/locations/PortStanley1/forecasts/latest
Fiona Whitehead
Friday, December 26, 2008
Wednesday, December 17, 2008
Sponsors
Expedition supporters: The Outward Bound Trust, Nigel Dennis Kayaking, Lendal paddles, Extrasport, Eureka, Johnson Outdoors and Tiderace Sea Kayaks.
Donations
The potential cost of flight and Course fee for a three week Outward Bound Classic course is £3400, This cost has already been reduced by The Outward Bound Trust who have offered to support each student with a 50% bursary towards each course fee.
To give money to support the Young People of The Falkland Islands attending an Outward Bound Classic Course please send to:
Global Kayak Expeditions
c/o The Outward Bound Trust,
Ullswater Centre,
Watermillock,
Penrith
Cumbria
CA11 0JL
(Cheques payable to: Global Kayak Expeditions)
To give money to support the Young People of The Falkland Islands attending an Outward Bound Classic Course please send to:
Global Kayak Expeditions
c/o The Outward Bound Trust,
Ullswater Centre,
Watermillock,
Penrith
Cumbria
CA11 0JL
(Cheques payable to: Global Kayak Expeditions)
Profile: Tom Parrick
I first started messing about in small boats when I was 11 years old, with friends on the river Thames at Benson in Oxfordshire. Our local (1st Benson) scout group fostered the activity and from then on I knew that all I wanted to do was paddle.
I studied Adventure Tourism Management at Birmingham College of Food, Tourism & Creative Studies where residential courses to Anglesey Sea & Surf Centre introduced me to sea kayaking and I developed a more serious interest; playing in the tidal races, rock hopping around the coast and surfing on the beaches and Stanley Embankment.
Paddling with Inspirational People/Coaches
First expedition (with University team) undertook paddling and white water rafting in Nepal. A self funded four-week trip, on the Trisuli, Seti and Kali Gandaki rivers, making improvised camps on the riverbank.
Four vacation summers were spent working with Maine Island Kayak Company. Coaching and Guiding parties of all ages on trips up to one week around the islands and spectacular coastline in Casco Bay. Surfing was good, fresh off the boat lobster even better!
Second expedition; On leave from MIKCo with two colleagues. A four-day sea kayaking trip from Petite Manan, Maine northward across the Canadian border to Lubec. Seals played along with us. We watched ‘The Old Sow’ – a famous large whirlpool (but didn’t go in).
Based in Aberdovey, Wales, I now work for The Outward Bound Trust and am reacquainted with white water paddling although a mini expedition to circumnavigate the Isle of Anglesey was impossible to resist! OB has also allowed a three-month secondment kayak coaching to OB Hong Kong.
Third expedition: Joined Fiona Whitehead’s circumnavigation of the UK and Ireland from Baltimore in SW Ireland to Tarbetness on the East coast of Scotland. A two-month trip and a very steep learning curve! Then paddled solo from Tartbetness down to Inverness along the Caledonian Canal to Fort William on the west coast.
And now the Falklands…
Expeditioning & Exploring new and different places is a recurring affliction; one great beauty about sea kayaks is the perspective gained from sitting at water level highlighting the massive spectacle of the coastline coupled with the ability to take a much closer look.
The Falkland Islands is geologically wide-ranging with a great diversity of wildlife, flora and fauna. The findings from our expedition will have much value to the local community. The coastline and tidal activity promises to be a truly exciting challenge.
Initially we look forward to the trip but equally we shall be eager to share our experiences with other enthusiasts on our return.
I studied Adventure Tourism Management at Birmingham College of Food, Tourism & Creative Studies where residential courses to Anglesey Sea & Surf Centre introduced me to sea kayaking and I developed a more serious interest; playing in the tidal races, rock hopping around the coast and surfing on the beaches and Stanley Embankment.
Paddling with Inspirational People/Coaches
First expedition (with University team) undertook paddling and white water rafting in Nepal. A self funded four-week trip, on the Trisuli, Seti and Kali Gandaki rivers, making improvised camps on the riverbank.
Four vacation summers were spent working with Maine Island Kayak Company. Coaching and Guiding parties of all ages on trips up to one week around the islands and spectacular coastline in Casco Bay. Surfing was good, fresh off the boat lobster even better!
Second expedition; On leave from MIKCo with two colleagues. A four-day sea kayaking trip from Petite Manan, Maine northward across the Canadian border to Lubec. Seals played along with us. We watched ‘The Old Sow’ – a famous large whirlpool (but didn’t go in).
Based in Aberdovey, Wales, I now work for The Outward Bound Trust and am reacquainted with white water paddling although a mini expedition to circumnavigate the Isle of Anglesey was impossible to resist! OB has also allowed a three-month secondment kayak coaching to OB Hong Kong.
Third expedition: Joined Fiona Whitehead’s circumnavigation of the UK and Ireland from Baltimore in SW Ireland to Tarbetness on the East coast of Scotland. A two-month trip and a very steep learning curve! Then paddled solo from Tartbetness down to Inverness along the Caledonian Canal to Fort William on the west coast.
And now the Falklands…
Expeditioning & Exploring new and different places is a recurring affliction; one great beauty about sea kayaks is the perspective gained from sitting at water level highlighting the massive spectacle of the coastline coupled with the ability to take a much closer look.
The Falkland Islands is geologically wide-ranging with a great diversity of wildlife, flora and fauna. The findings from our expedition will have much value to the local community. The coastline and tidal activity promises to be a truly exciting challenge.
Initially we look forward to the trip but equally we shall be eager to share our experiences with other enthusiasts on our return.
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