Having recently got back from a rather long road trip I took the time to look through my blog & can't believe just how much I've done in the last couple of months let alone the year.
Without doubt the highlight for me has to be completing my solo navigation of the beautiful Welsh coastline.
So this brings me to the question of what to do next year?
I've been here before, the nervous anticipation of announcing a paddle that's going to set my nerves on edge though ultimately bring wonderful memories.
Back in 2010 I set myself the challenge of paddling out to & around Flat Holm Island whilst wearing a wedding dress. Not a huge challenge but I was much less experienced back then & I was very nervous of the challenge.
This year I challenged myself again with what seemed a crazy dream to paddle right around the Welsh Coast. I remember sitting at the computer grinning & thinking 'shit, now you've done it' as I clicked the 'make live' button on my charity web page.
So here I am again, apprehensive & wondering if I'm biting off more than I can chew?
But isn't that the point of life, to live by our memories & learn from our experiences. Better to live with a little fear than stagnate though life never experiencing it wonders. Live life for the moment & run like hell from the bailiffs when the time comes.
So what is it I got in mind? Well if you haven't recognised the image above then its the outer Herbrides. I'm thinking of circumnavigating the main chunk running from the Butt of lewis in the North down as far South as Berneray, around 300 miles.
Its still very much in the planning stage at the moment but the idea seems sound enough. I'm hoping to have a paddling partner or two on this expedition & have asked a couple of friends if they fancy it, so I'll see how that pans out. They were interested but agreeing dates is an interesting challenge & I know that not everyone has such a flexible work-life as me. I'll keep my fingers crossed as it'll be wonderful to share such an experience with friends not to mention having someone to tell me to get out of the tent & go paddle when its a bit choppy :)
I now need to look at the access & exit points & do some research into the tidal flows around the Islands. As always the weather is likely to be an issue & I'm concerned about surf landings on the west coast, especially as I'm planning on doing the trip around mid March. The tidal flows in the Sound of harris look interesting too & will need some thought.
So here we go again, that dreaded moment when I click the 'make live' button :)
