Although this is a solo kayak trip, there are a number of people who have helped get me prepared or have been influential in my development as a both a kayaker and a person. They’ll probably get regular mentions in my posts and I know I’ll summon them often in my mind as I ponder the many decisions to be made on the trip. I have given them all “author” access to write posts of their own. Whether or not they do is up to them. Maybe if I malign them enough they’ll be prompted into action to put the record straight.
- Wendy – my wife. She and I started our sea kayak journey together with an excellent and very enjoyable five day course at Glenmore Lodge. Although she no longer kayaks, and we finally sold her boat last year, she still supports me in my exploits. She often gets roped in to dropping me off or picking me up from some remote spot.
- David – the wise sage and chairperson of our local sea kayak club. On our three man trip around Ireland he was the leader and the “grown-up” of the group making the final tough decisions on when it was better to remain in the pub (or, more often, wet tents) rather than head out onto the choppy seas.
- Paul – camper extraordinaire. We met soon after we’d both started kayaking and progressed through our sea kayak leader awards on the same courses and assessments. Paul’s main goal from a kayak trip is to camp in great places and to always have enough G&Ts and snacks to see him through to the finish.
- James – the “real deal” solo adventurer. We first met on a trip round Jura which included three days stuck on a windblown beach. Since then I’ve had the pleasure of accompanying him and his partner (now wife!), Fiona, on a number of Scottish island circumnavigations. He is the oldest person to have completed a solo, unassisted ski journey to the south pole and will soon be departing on the fifth of his significant adventures to be undertaken on each of the seven continents – a solo cycle trip across Africa.
- Jacqui – SarcoidosisUK Patient Ambassador. A long time sufferer of sarcoidosis who devotes much of her time to help others understand their condition and assist them in getting the right support. She runs the regular support groups in Scotland and NI, two of which I have attended.
One Man And His Boat 