MJ's little flock

[MaryJanet]

I

MJ!!! And you live beside the sea! I am ashamed of you girl. I thought every true blue Aussie child knew how to paddle a kayak. Just joking. I hope you have a wonderful time & don't get beached again.

There's a photo of me at the wheel of a tall ship, looking for all the world like I know what I'm doing: wind in my hair, rugged up warmly, head up, eyes on the horizon... When I don't. (I've no idea where the photo is but if I ever find it, I'll share it.)

I should be better at kayaking. But I can't go in a straight line. "keep your eyes on your destination" they say. Doesn't help. The kayak turns and takes me with it, i have to crick my neck all the way to keep my eyes on my target!

But I'll enjoy it even if it does turn out to be another one of my maritime disasters.

 

[Ribh]

I

There's a photo of me at the wheel of a tall ship, looking for all the world like I know what I'm doing: wind in my hair, rugged up warmly, head up, eyes on the horizon... When I don't. (I've no idea where the photo is but if I ever find it, I'll share it.)

I should be better at kayaking. But I can't go in a straight line. "keep your eyes on your destination" they say. Doesn't help. The kayak turns and takes me with it, i have to crick my neck all the way to keep my eyes on my target.

I grew up with boats so I just shouldn't cast aspersions. I think I'm one of the few Girl Guides to get their Bo'suns badge. I could sail & row almost before I could walk. Not so long ago I took a friend's sailing dingy out with OD aboard & shocked everyone because handling a boat is still 2nd nature. Not quite as lithe & limber as I once used to be but I still know what to do.

I'd love to see that picture!

 

[MaryJanet]

I'm extremely impressed!! What's your top tip for numpties in kayaks?

I grew up with boats so I just shouldn't cast aspersions. I think I'm one of the few Girl Guides to get their Bo'suns badge. I could sail & row almost before I could walk. Not so long ago I took a friend's sailing dingy out with OD aboard & shocked everyone because handling a boat is still 2nd nature. Not quite as lithe & limber as I once used to be but I still know what to do.

I'd love to see that picture!

 

[MaryJanet]

D

Notch and Donk.
View attachment 2466521

Coop cleaning.
View attachment 2466523

Donk's tail is gorgeous!

 

[Ribh]

I'm extremely impressed!! What's your top tip for numpties in kayaks?

It's all about balance. Get that right & the rest should flow ~ but you need to be super relaxed for that to happen & I'm guessing you get pretty tense. You need minimal movement too ~ which is about balance too. it shouldn't require a lot of exertion; you're not racing, just the wrist flicks required to paddle. Like most things it requires practise to get the hang of ~ & then you wonder why you found it so difficult to start with!

The 1st time I went abseiling getting over the initial lip was a nightmare; I'm terrified of heights, but the fastest way back up was to come back up the rope. For the life of me I couldn't do it! It wasn't till I saw someone else manage it I realised my angle was all wrong & after that it was easy~peasy!

 

[RoyalChick]

The 1st time I went abseiling ......

I cannot process this phrase, it is shrouded in mystery.
Why were you in the position of abseiling in the first place? Were you trapped on the roof of a burning building? Escaping from jail?
But then the mystery deepens. The 1st time? That implies there was a 2nd and maybe even a 3rd time. None of the reasons to find oneself abseiling would seem likely to repeat themselves. Or were you captured and had to escape jail a second time?
I am left with the conclusion that you somehow thought it might be fun.
I am seriously worried for your sanity!

 

[MaryJanet]

I cannot process this phrase, it is shrouded in mystery.
Why were you in the position of abseiling in the first place? Were you trapped on the roof of a burning building? Escaping from jail?
But then the mystery deepens. The 1st time? That implies there was a 2nd and maybe even a 3rd time. None of the reasons to find oneself abseiling would seem likely to repeat themselves. Or were you captured and had to escape jail a second time?
I am left with the conclusion that you somehow thought it might be fun.
I am seriously worried for your sanity!

My thoughts exactly! Such a deep mystery. But I'm confident there's an explanation beyond our ken RC.

 

[Ribh]

My guide company was being trained in mountaineering skills. I did quite a bit of abseiling @ one time ~ yes for fun! We used to go into the Royal National Park in Sydney in summer & throw a rope over an 80' waterfall with an overhang. The rope would fall short so you would drop the last 6' or so into the pool @ the bottom. Super fun! I learnt fast I needed to go early as I was one of the lightest abseilers & once the rope got wet I didn't have the weight to force the rope through the crabs. with the overhang there was nothing to push off against & I'd get stuck 60' up jiggling like a spider & going nowhere!

 

[MaryJanet]

W

My guide company was being trained in mountaineering skills. I did quite a bit of abseiling @ one time ~ yes for fun! We used to go into the Royal National Park in Sydney in summer & throw a rope over an 80' waterfall with an overhang. The rope would fall short so you would drop the last 6' or so into the pool @ the bottom. Super fun! I learnt fast I needed to go early as I was one of the lightest abseilers & once the rope got wet I didn't have the weight to force the rope through the crabs. with the overhang there was nothing to push off against & I'd get stuck 60' up jiggling like a spider & going nowhere!

Wow! These are fascinating new layers in your history!

I'm very grateful for yoyr kayaking advice, which I will try my best to implement.

 

[Ribh]

W
Wow! These are fascinating new layers in your history!

I'm very grateful for yoyr kayaking advice, which I will try my best to implement.

I always liked being in nature. I camped & caved & hiked ~ not that I'm so very sporty but I would do those things because it meant I could be somewhere quiet & pretty.

As for the kayaking, the less movement the better ~ which is why I said balance is everything because you shouldn't have to move a lot if you've got it right. You sit still & let your wrists do all the talking. Someone in your group should be able to help surely...