NPearson

We'll be gong to this on Wednesday - anyone else? https://www.northernforestcanoetrail.org/event/paddling-film-fest-concord/ Nick

The Hermit island trip that I ran last year seemed to go down really well. The format worked; Travel Friday night to a campsite in Maine with a beach then do day paddles with Saturday evening at the campsite. Travel home Sunday after a short paddle. I plan to arrange another similar weekend in May/ June of this year and wondered if anyone could suggest alternative locations. Are there any other beach-front, tent-friendly campsites that you could recommend? Nick

Fantastic! I mountain biked out to Drake’s Estero a couple of years back. It’s stunning. Last year I paddled at moss landing, just south of Santa Cruz, there were otters!

Pearsons will bring gluten-free sweet potato Mac and cheese

Keep me in the loop, you can get to some unexpected places on a very high tide

Hi Kurt, I have about 5 years worth of Ocean paddler magazines that I’d be happy to give away, would you be interested? Nick

I have about 5 or 6 years worth of back issues. Anyone want them before I send them for recycling?

same answers as David, Pru, Andy, Jonathon, Bob & Beth. especially Beth

Both Pearsons will be there, we’ll confirm food contribution later

Count us out. Not for reasons of weather or conditions- but we’re away in Maine for NYE and I think it’ll be too much of a stretch to get to the put-in on time. Nick & Ali

Keep me in the loop. Thanks nick

Reply from one of the visitors was a lukewarm "lets see how we feel". So count us out I think. sorry! Nick

Understood. I've e-mailed them to see if they're up for a Saturday paddle. I'll let you know Nick

Hi Pru, We're keen to join but have visitors... ...both of whom are sea kayakers - but both will have just got off a long-haul flight the night before. Put us down as 4 maybes, but don't wait for us. Nick

Ha! Off-topic, but I have #29! Is yours from the original mould (i.e. does it have the P&H logo mouldings in the deck behind the cockpit?) Nick

Sorry we missed it (busy with visitors from the UK) - sounded like quite the adventure. For the record, I never thought it was safe to go back in the water...

Seven brave NSPN-ers journeyed north for a weekend at Hermit island (a location that is neither an island nor does it have a hermit). Hermit island has a lovely (if somewhat pricey) campsite that even comes with its own beautiful empty sandy beach. We were very lucky with the weather and even the headwind we encountered on the Saturday morning paid off with a tailwind home after lunch. Our first paddle took us 5 miles north up the coast to Malaga island where we stopped for lunch. We took the 'inside passage' on the way up, through some shallow sections that clearly dried at low tide, as far as Malaga island - a reserve that welcomes day trippers and has a rather chequered history. On our return journey we could took the 'outside passage' and got fresh views of the islands that we passed on the way up. Our return trip was strongly wind assisted and took us through some exposed skerries where some of us indulged in a bit of rock gardening. I even managed to get a bit of kayak sailing in - which is still rather alarming! We enjoyed dinner and drinks on the beach where we were rewarded with a fantastic sunset - its a real treat on the east coast to find a beach that faces west, Some of us ended up as dinner for the local mosquitoes though (bring insect repellent next time!). On Sunday we went south into the swell and chop around the headland for some more 'sporting' conditions. Our lunch spot was yet another beautiful empty sandy beach where we were lucky enough to get a visit from a rather inquisitive seal. Its great to have a location like this less than 3 hours drive away. worth another visit I'd say

Hi John, My plan was to cook at the campsite, I'm sure someone will be going into town though Nick

What’s the ‘whale welfare’ advice on this. If you’re paddling and get an unintended close encounter with a whale, that must be fabulous. But if (as discussed here) you see a whale and jump in your boat to paddle near it, is that ok? Does this alarm or distress the animal? What is a safe distance?

On the subject of cetaceans, we had a very close 'swim-by' from 3 porpoises in Gloucester harbor on Sunday - a real thrill

Just a reminder about next month's Hermit island trip Hermit Island Paddling weekend A new early-June trip exploring an interesting bit of the Maine coastline This trip will be based out of Hermit Island campground - a nice looking site, right on the shore The plan in:- Drive up Friday night - car camping day paddles Saturday & Sunday, drive home Sunday The campsite is right on an interesting bit of shoreline so there's a short carry to the put-in. Alternatively there are other options nearby (Popham beach for example) http://hermitisland.com/ no reservations are needed. The campground fee is $43 per site per night. Payment is due upon arrival. They allow 2 adults per site Also, Importantly, You should know that, despite the name, Hermit island doesn't have a hermit and isn't an island PM me if you'd like to come Nick

My Romany has the standard glass seat with padded back rest - Its fine but I find that it does pinch me on the bum sometimes. My new Explorer has one of these:- https://www.kiwimultisport.co.nz/product/bumfortable-kayak-seat which is the most comfortable and supporting seat I've ever had in a kayak. You're also slightly lower in the kayak too which I guess helps with stability a bit N

I've just posted a new trip on the calendar - Tailored for us poor weekend warriors who aren't free until 5pm on a Friday The meet will be a car camping/ day paddles event based out of a campsite that is right on the shore . All details on the calendar posting, PM me if you're interested in coming Nick

I bet surf’s up at Hampton beach