We've had a rather nice weekend in the Lake District, attracted to the area by the "Ravenglass Seaquest" sea kayak orienteering event organised by Annette and Phil of Blengdale Runners. We "raced" on the Saturday, camped at the very pleasant site in Ravenglass and then had a gentle potter on Wastwater and some sight-seeing on Sunday.
The format of the race was a bit different from the original Seaquest devised by Peter Roscoe and run each year at Fleetwood. Rather than a set course to be completed as quickly as possible, the event was a number of check points in the tidal sections of the Esk, Mite and Irt. Points were awarded for each check point, with the more distant points scoring higher. Times were used as a tie breaker and penalty points were taken off for exceeding the three hours allowed for the event. Money raised from the event goes to the RNLI.
Lojska and I managed to be the double boat with the most points, coming joint third overall. We had a good deal of fun and our thanks go to the organisers. We hope to take part again next year.
Preparing for the start:
One of the first check points:
A bit wet and miserable during the first hour:
But it brightened up later:
The railway line (La'al Ratty) by the Mite:
Heading for the finish:
And still cheerful:
Our route:
The campsite at Ravenglass:
The Ravenglass estuary at low tide (Sunday morning):
Paddling on Wastwater:
The benefit of an early morning paddle is that this normally busy lake is empty of other people:
It's never too early for the swans to come begging for food:
And the ferry starts quite early, to the delight of the boys:
The Perception Horizon has plenty of room for the four of us:
All told, it was a pleasant little pre-breakfast paddle.
