Pintail

Physiotherapy? (Apologies, Leslie: I could not resist. You probably need someone with two degrees -- metallurgy <and> physiotherapy?) What about simple manipulation (metallurgical physio., then...)? Good luck with this: it might not be such a bad thing, though?

(Damn computers! I had just written a fine report -- if I say so myself -- and promptly <lost> it all, every single word!) Four of us convened in Lanes Cove on Saturday evening and got on the water around 1900 (7pm) to what looked set for a magnificent sunset: Elizabeth Williams, Lorri Anderson (new to the club; but not to paddling), Mike Habich and your scribe. After deciding to go to Essex Bay for the moonrise, we set sail (no, not literally: we set sail in a manner of speaking!) for the Annisquam to look at the sandbar, being massively exposed (due very low water, due full moon the day-before). There were masses of late beach-goers still frolicking around on the sandbar, some taking photos of the sunset (emulated by some of <us>, I believe) and we greeted a few, cheerily (who wouldn't be cheery, on an evening like that one?) As this small group paddled relaxedly up (along) Coffins beach, we watched a glorious sky over calm waters, as the last few boats on the ocean returned, presumably, to their moorings in the river. There were a few fireworks, which was a mild surprise, and, as the night progressed, they seemed to spring up all along the north coast! Anyone have any idea as to the reason for this? Simple exuberance on the part of the natives? We paddled over more sandbars that have become quite pronounced at the entrance to Essex Bay as the almost-full moon was rising over our communal right shoulder. Inside the bay, we landed to the left on a sandy beach, where we watched a second moonrise (it had disappeared behind the beach cottages and the bulk of the land), Ursa major overhead (no, that's poetic licence: it was in front of us, in the north, halfway up the sky) and, everywhere up the coast -- more fireworks! After our sojourn on the golden sands (more creamy-grey than anything -- in daylight!) we launched ourselves into the darkness (really quite <light> -- more poetic licence, this!) after deciding to route direct back to Lanes. A slight breeze had sprung up, which pleased us for creating enough bumpiness in the water to make life interesting. We saw little bio-luminescence -- more so, as we approached the cove. Anyway, all traffic had disappeared, leaving us sole proprietors, seemingly, of the ocean -- until we were almost literally <in> t he cove, when a small motorboat appeared behind us, showing no lights. It was by now almost 2300 (11pm) A wonderful evening on the water with really good company: I hope it was a warm welcome to the club for Lorri? (Did I forget anything?) PS: As I was tightening the final strap on my boat, being the last one in the cove, I glanced upwards at two airliners obviously routing for Europe: there, between them, I watched a disintegrating meteorite (space debris?) -- so bright, so well-defined! An auspicious, brief moment, I thought...

Mike, I may have a local friend join us: she is supposed to be joining NSPN...not sure if she has yet done so or not, though...

Apologies for the late post; but are there folk who would join me at Lanes Cove on Saturday (after work, for some of us) for a relaxed evening paddle? I didn't post this earlier because I misunderstood the moonrise time, thinking it was very early-morning; but...it isn't! Moonrise on 1st August is around 2045 and is just one day after full moon. Last time we went down to Rockport, so perhaps we'll go across to Essex Bay or Cranes Beach... I suggest meet-up at 1900 in the cove and expect to be off the water by 2300 or whatever suits people (I mean paddlers). It seems possible that this could be subject to thunderstorm activity.

Matt, baaie dankie vir de video! Excellent; but you sure know how to make a person homesick! (Blerry homesick!) (Nou, waar de fok is my passeport, ek sê?) PS: The name Dreyer is <quite> common in RSA -- slight difference; but not much...(it's Afrikaans)

Nystrom: godfrey dot Christopher gmail -- impossible "private message" you as a guest!

Katherine: you will...you will...

I am in complete agreement with you, Rob (for once, admittedly) Josko: lighten up, old chap -- as Rob points out, above, you did start all this. For as long as I can remember, Leon Granowitz has been a stalwart of, and contributor to, this little club (which I know means a lot to him). In fact, I know of several enthusiastic, current members who owe their membership entirely to him for having introduced them...

Gary, you only apply 303 <three times>, during the summer? Good heavens, man: I use the stuff almost every time I paddle! Truly. ;^) And if <that> doesn't much help my (hatch cover) life expectancy, then I'm in total agreement with the wise BN. I experience exactly the same symptoms: cracking and a falling out of the centre of the cover -- and yes, they are expensive. (Gary: this is why I carry my boats upside-down) Is anyone else interested in this topic of conversation and desirous of joining in? If you have Valley hatch covers, you <will> need replacements -- sooner or later...

<With all due respect, all you're doing is driving people away from NSPN> And with all due respect from me, too: how <on earth> do you reckon <that>?

I have already bought two Sealect covers from very nice people in Michigan, called Riverside Kayaks -- found them per eBay. Very good sellers: I wonder whether they would be interested? I have not used these Sealect hatch covers <yet>; but anything will be better than the life-expectancy of the original Valleys...I have to buy new ones every two-three years, I would say, whilst the Kayaksport ones on the little, black rolling boat have been in place for -- perhaps five years -- perhaps more? Everyone knows I always use plenty of "303", so it isn't for lack of <that>! Therefore -- I am thoroughly interested in any group buy. Ossipee? Now that could be worthwhile, couldn't it? Little transportation to take into account, perhaps...?

Oh! Apologies: Katherine referred to there being two reports -- now I see there <ARE>, indeed, two reports -- oh, dear. How stupid of me. I had no idea -- I think that the website is often slow to upload and, in frustration, one hits the "enter" button more than once -- I apologize, Katherine, for denying you, elsewhere! (Didn't you say the same thing, recently?)

It seems that the "designated person" (she didn't necessarily agree to the task, mind) is not going to rise to the occasion, so I shall write this small trip up myself (Gosh, KR: it was very hard work <posting> the trip, so now you make me do this, too?) Ten of us collected in Lanes Cove between 1800 and 1830 (six and six-thirty for those for whom this is difficult) -- it would have been more; but someone had to cancel (SnoocLa), one had said he was a "maybe" (Nosaj) and one simply failed to show (We did give you an extra quarter-of-an-hour, NasYcnan -- you were missed and I think we all have seen your Facebook post) Curiously, several of the company had already been out on the water, practising whatever...Strokes? Rescues? Expedition ergonomics and group management, perhaps? No one told <me>!) After a quick referendum, we turned right out of the cove and set forth on calm waters for the lost city of Rockport and were treated to a subtle and delicate sunset, rather than a dramatic one. There were a few people out on the rocks, east of Lanesville, enjoying the evening and, since Phil, Lorrie and I could not resist some <little> rock-play en route, we were even afforded an opportunity to observe natural history for ourselves. It was a thoroughly peaceful paddle northeastwards, around the corner and thence downhill to our destination (Well, it <is> downhill, isn't it? You can see it is on the maps -- oops: I mean on the chart!) A solitary sailing yacht was making for anchorage in front of us, off Front Beach, where there were a dozen or so yachts "over-nighting". Did we see any other traffic? Hardly a thing! We paddled into the old harbor just about at full darkness and at low water. Moonrise was to be at 2107. The <intention> of this jaunt was apparently to feed on ice-cream on Bearskin Neck; but -- as far as I can make out -- only one or two of our company actually indulged(?) Some of us munched on jerky, energy bars or other nourishing goodies, while the natives wondered aloud whether this was an invasion! Our arrival <had> caused some consternation among the populace! (Perhaps it was merriment?) It was nice and dark for our return and one or two paddlers broke open their light sticks with which to adorn their bows -- very pretty, they were, too. About fifteen minutes into the return trip, I remember saying to Katherine, paddling next to me: "We should be seeing the moon any moment" -- and behold! Up it rose, over our right shoulders, all red and smouldering! Gorgeous. It was short-lived, though, as it disappeared behind a high layer of cloud; but it did reveal itself again, later, once we had rounded Andrews Point. We had absolutely no problem with visibility: it was a bright night and we were accompanied, also, by plenty of phosphorescence, all the way. Along the north shore of Massachusetts and the New Hampshire coast, we could see fireworks everywhere; but those in Gloucester harbor were just a glow over the hump of Cape Ann. It was around 2300 when we arrived back in Lanes Cove, where the tide was now at high water: no lugging of kayaks back up the sand... I think everyone enjoyed themselves: it was the first time that two of us had ventured out at night and I know <they> enjoyed themselves. Thank you, Katherine, ShariG, the combined team of Allens (Lorrie and Phil), the combined team of Williamses (Beth and Bob), Sherry Smith, JaniceC, and JudyW, for a marvellous evening on the sea! (What did I miss?)

Sorry to hear of your defection, Al; but we have no choice in the matter, have we? (Have fun in Ireland!) Nancy, I have seen jelly fish in the area previously; but not this season -- I don't think there is anything particularly unusual in the occurance, though...

As far as I recollect, from many years ago, when we used to paddle down there, you need to drive slightly northwards (actually westwards), past and beyond the town landing and dock, there is a small beach access, available for put-in, straight onto Wellfleet Bay (or whatever it is called). Parking is easy (or was) and quite secure. Have fun: it is a beautiful place!

This should be termed a Level 3 trip, for anyone's interest; but I think that we have all paddled together in the past, haven't we? Right? I am guessing we may paddle roughly eight miles (statute), whether we go down to Rockport and back or whether we go and rollick (frolic?) along the shore of Coffin's Beach, etc. Bring a snack: we shall stop somewhere en route (when the pleas become loud enough!) The emphasis will be on having a jaunty, gentle evening -- few are in great shape at this early stage of the season.

Lights, lights? What for? To see where you're going, Meneer Coons? Lord, how scary is <that>! No, seriously, of course you should bring a headlamp for getting off the water; but, for general night-time paddling, I do not personally like their use: always people forget that, when addressing a paddler next to them and their headlamp is <on>, say, they shine the illumination straight into that person's eyes. So -- whilst paddling -- I do not like any lighting that is not discreet. Far better to have one's eyes well-adjusted to the dark. However, that said, one <should> carry some identification for any encounter with boating traffic (we never <have>, previously) -- a headlamp is perfect for that, if waterproof -- and perhaps a light-stick or two, in case the group needs to keep track of folk (think emergency). Ideally, and in my opinion, the group should be close enough that each paddler knows where his or her neighbor is. Al, do you feel I have cast enough light on this subject, for now? Moonrise is at 2107 that night: let's see if we can have a good evening on the water. I may not be <early> at Lanes Cove, but let's be prepared for a beach meeting at 1900, shall we?

Ssssh, everyone: I think someone got up too early this morning...let her sleep some more...

what about seven pm -- 1900 launch? what about seven pm -- 1900 launch? what about seven pm -- 1900 launch? what about seven pm -- 1900 launch? hmm...hmm...(discreetly clearing throat)...Katherine: does that answer you adequately? Hello, hello? Do you read me? ;^)

What about a full-moon paddle on Friday 3rd July (a day or so after official full-moon, I think) Any interest? Likely to be Lanes Cove, I daresay. Definitely laid-back and not too energetic (well, the season is young, isn't it?) If the weather is fine, then this might be a good opportunity for anyone who has never paddled in darkness previously (and who fancies the idea, of course!)

Leon, thanks for the laugh! Phil, thank you, too: I do know how useful is Aquaseal and did think of that; but finding the exact offending spots is sometimes problematic. I think that the years (and rescue practice) have simply taken their toll! I do have another ocean-cockpit skirt, but that one is a <bit> tighter on my burgeoning waistline! Michael, I have never heard of "Never Wet" (is that right?); but, mindful of the warning, I might give that a miss -- thanks, old bean. Brian, thank you, too, for having chipped-in. I <can> actually live with the ingress of seawater -- it isn't <that> bad! I <do> tend to spend a lot of time upside-down! (Whether accidentally or intentionally, who can tell?) (Health advisory: this practice is good for the sinuses!) There: I think I have addressed everyone? Oooooh: news to report: if anyone (else) is looking to practise their rescues or rolling, then Essex Bay is warming up very nicely! Water temperature yesterday was glorious! It was lovely to have been on the water -- despite all those warnings of serious weather -- it never materialized, around here, although there were one or two charlie bravos around (cumulo-nimbus) that sailed on by...

Has anyone else ever wondered about treating neoprene (as in sprayskirts) with Scotchguard to prolong their life and/or improve their waterproof-ness? Has anyone actually <tried> this? Does it work? (Or <should> it work?) TIA!

Aaaaaah! Many thanks, Brian: up to your usual, thoughtful standard of response! I am well-advised.

Gene, with all due respect, who said anything about wanting a hard finish? Not at all. I always thought that the intention was to get the wood <impregnated> with oil, hence the dilution with turpentine. If left to its own (pure) devices, surely linseed dries to a thin, "plastickey" crust on the surface -- almost useless?

Paul, I am going to call you "Speedy Gonzalez" in future! Thanks for the immediate response, old pal! Actually, there really are no dark spots -- it is more a case of my having graunched the edges from time to time and of covering places where the varnish had worn away from rubbing against decking or suchlike. I had decided that an oiled finish is really nicer-looking and have just re-done my Sawyer, which was oiled from new (I do not employ pure linseed; but dilute it roughly 50% with turps.) Thank you!