Finished our adventure.
Teddies on Tour: Ireland 2017
Teddies on Tour will be a team of teddies circumnavigating Ireland. They will be escorted by a team of female Kayakers representing Norway.
Tuesday 29 August 2017
Finishing touches
Finished our adventure.
Tuesday 22 August 2017
80 km from Galway
Day 34 - 36 we spent storm bound in Castlegregory. Where being quite close to Galway we aren't too stretched for time and can enjoy the days on land. The first day we hitch into Castlegregory and get picked up by a nice family. One seat in the car. Frida an I got to know each other a little better as I jump onto her lap. He he. But we got into the village and have a look around.
Day 35 we were were relaxing in the tent and we were approached by a man Don. He had been following our blog, Kayaker himself and wanted to know if we would like to join him and his wife Lisa on a road trip to Killarney so of course we were in the car before we knew it. Lovely company and then we were invited back for dinner. It was lovely not eating a meal out of a bag.
The following day. Day 36 weather was still looking rough. So lucky for us we get picked up by Don and Lisa and get fed lunch and a road trip again to Dingle, their son Darragh joins too. We were really looked after. Thanks guys for your entertainment and hospitality. Was great to meet you and get to know you.
Day 37 looks to be a good weather window to cross the Shannon estuary. All plans in our head. Options for Kilbaha kilkee and Ross Bay. Westerly winds. So not really helping much but not a head wind so for us that's great. Was a little bit more lumpy bumpy than we had thought. The clapotous coming off Kerry head were quite intimidating. But we managed just fine and ended up landing in Kilbaha and having an evening walk up to the light house. Sadly we got there 30minutes after it had shut. But it looked cool from the 1.5m stone wall around it.
Day 38 we wake up and are almost ready to pack out things in the boat. Rain is hammering down on the tent. Finding every excuse not to go on the water. Ready and dressed to go. We decided if we wanted pictures of the stack at loop head they wouldn't be very good. So we had best wait a day for the weather to improve. So we head to the pub for cooked breakfast.
Day 39 kilbaha to Kilkee.
We get on the water after an wet rest day. And paddle out in the direction of loop head. Conditions quite interesting but looking forward to a tail wind after loop head. Coming around the headland we were averaging over four knots. Finally tail winds. Tide in the back. A nice gentle paddle into Kilkee. Coming to the opening of the bay we could just see a line of crashing waves. Oh no. How do we get in. After some discussions we find a line in. I went first. Rock hopping with surf. To then find looking from the other side if we had paddle 100 or so meters more there was a huge opening no breakers. But it did look like it being on the back of the wave.
Day 40 Kilkee to Mutton Island.
Calm day on the water today. Enjoyed a nice run up to Mutton Island. Full of rabbits. We are getting pretty near our goal. Let's hope the next few days go smoothly.
Wednesday 16 August 2017
Tent spots
Saturday 12 August 2017
Taking a different turn.
Sunday 6 August 2017
Head winds! We love them.
Day 18.. Pushing along against the head winds. Think it was our shortest day in distance with just 14km but we were probably still out there for our average 6 hours of paddling. We did make it to rabbit Island for lunch which was great and pushed along to a small cove where we camped. After watching the rocks to my right not get anywhere for a while it was time to call it a day. We camped near a small farm where two dogs joined us for the evening.
we decided to hit nearest land which was still a few hours away. Having woken up early there wasn't much movement in the bowels. Which meant for us both at some point during the morning there was a need for going to the toilet. Mm.. I was the first one to take a swim. Clipped my tow line onto my boat and indeed had a poo in the sea. Frida was a bit more reluctant and tried to hold it.. After many hours of pain in her belly and still hours from shore she gave in and took a dip. 38km into a Headwind was hard work. Our bodies very sore and blisters starting to brew. We made it to Pullen harbour.. Miles from anywhere it would be headwinds again the next day.
Wednesday 2 August 2017
Day 15 Garrylucas - Dunwoody Bay (training into practice)
Saturday 29 July 2017
Expectations - Positive or negative?
So this is it for me and Otto.
Wrist has taken a turn for the worse. And knowing the weather, conditions and area coming up on this trip, it would be nothing short of dangerous to continue. Also the chance of really injuring myself permanently was to great.
Yesterday was a hairy day, and after going a while agains rather sizy swells and strong headwinds, I felt a pop of pain in my wrist and I lost all feeling in my fingers. It wasnt like they were sleeping. I could actually not feel what they were doing.
This was kind of the last drop. And once finally on land I let the girls know that this would be where I leave them. I think we all felt that this was the right decition on that moment, even though it was hard and sad.
Now, I would like to give the biggest thank you for all the support and concerne ive gottn throughout this trip. I feel so blessed and cared for. This being from other teams going aroung Ireland, new and old friends, colleagues, total strangers and family. Without you all I would never have been able to get as far as I did.
I finnished 1/3 of this trip. And feel quite proud of that. Of course I am gutted and in quite a state at the moment. But I know I made the right decition for the team, and most of all for my self. I do not want a lasting injury when this is over. I know I did the best I could under the circumstances. And I really am in so much pain at the moment that I almost feel a little bit of relief now that the decition has been made.
Now the expectation I had for myself and for the trip, they changed almost on a daily basis for me. The outdoors never care about your pride or ego. It most sertainly do not care where you want to land and how long you have planned to paddle that day. So expectations for me was changed with great force. So did the insight to own abilities and paddlefitness..And I will leave here feeling quite defeated..But most of all blessed. Blessed for all I have seen, blessed for all I have learned, blessed for the people I have met..MOST of all the two girls I have had the honour of spending two weeks at sea with..They are the strongest and most stubborn pair of girls I have ever met. Qualities that makes me sure of their ability to succeed in this adventure. The teddies continue, one man short. But I believe more capable and stronger than ever.
I love you ladies dearly, and cant wait to follow and support - even though it will be from land this time.
I will travel home to Norway on august 2. And hopefully find a small comfort adventure (involving legs this time, as they are still working fine) to pass the time while I wait to go back to see and support them again.
Ireland we meet again - And I will get around in the end!
Thank you all
-Vibeke
Thursday 27 July 2017
Rest days.. Day 16
Monday 24 July 2017
Almost in Cork day 11
Great slip way next to the rnli station and we had a great night sleep on grass.. After the horrendous sand flees everyday at Tramoure.
Friday 21 July 2017
Day 8 - Trouble in paradise
Although I am enjoying every minute of this adventure, I will have to admit that I have had quite the challenging first week..There has been some expected issues, and then some quite unexpected ones.
For me, maybe the biggest challenge is to get enough food in me. I have never been a "breakfast person" and I hate eating when on the move..
These were things I knew beforehand, and had spent a lot of time thinking about. So I tried to find sollutions where I brought food and supliments I knew I would enjoy as much as possible. I have to admit what I missed the mark on was the lunches. Maybe the most important meal for fuel. And also bars dont go down to easy on the move.
After the disastrous crash the other day, I have very much realised that these problems are not to be taken lightly. I thought I could push it, and restock on land. I could not. With the problems I have in my wrist and well..Everywhere..My body was working overtime. I could have put myself and my friends in a really dangerous situation, luckily it only ended with a slight scare. And a very huge load of hard work. for them..Now the shame of that no energybars or food can fix. I have to admit I was crying my eyes out, really feeling the stress of holding my team back and making such a stupid mistake.
I am just so blessed and lucky to be here with such understanding and patient friends and SUPER strong paddlers. That not only wants the best for me, but also do everything possible to help and be supportive.
The group dynamics and just the whole learning experience of doing something like this in a group with 3 totally different girls. It might just be the biggest learning experience for me. Like Ash says...Vibeke..Just get over yourself...Come on..
A welcome, nice and positive learningexperience. The quality these two girls posess are nothing short of amazing, exciting and inspiring. Lucky me!!
Now, second problem was much more expected. Blisters. Of course I would get blisters. And they would be hard to heal, as you just keep paddling.
The beauties I now posess on my right hand....Oh wow...And then camping on beaches with loads of sand. Sand is clean, so not at all the worst thing. Only..You are not supposed to have grinding micropieces of sand and shell into open wounds for days. They will get infected if you are not careful right away. Which I was not. Enough....So one day I woke up with these swollen fingers I could not bend. Open soars and it all was just looking rather grim.
Luckily Frida is an excellent field doctor, and we also got sponsored with some brilliant first aid kits. So my suggestion as to what to bring first aid wise to a longer paddling trip would be: A flush surringe (this is to rinse sand and other grim stuff from soars and scrubs), anticeptic creams, variety of plasters and gloves (no matter how warm the weather), and anti inflamatories in pill form.
These little blisters are not to be taken lightly! They could easily ruin your whole trip!!
Third problem came completely out of left field..Tendonitis in my wrist...REALLY?? I have never in my life had anything like that. I have paddled on longer trips. I have paddled hard..I have trained..I have had amazingly physical jobs. Never before have I had any problems with that before...Just my luck!!
So when we decided to have a rest day I thought it best to go to the pharmacy. Try and get something for the pain and the wrist. The ladies behind the counter were just adorable. One of them kept staring at my arm that was very red and swollen..I showed it to her, and had her feel it grind and squeek whenever I moved the hand.
Scuuuuse meeee...Got anything for this maybe miss? Girls chuckling in the bacground..I tried my most charming Norwegian-Irish in the hope I would get some helpful advice..and maybe even some juicy pills. They oh my dear-ed me for a while before they suggested to go to the local family practice down the street.
Brilliant advice!! Got to see a doctor straight a way..
I told him what we were up to, and he looked at me for a while..Sighed..And said I had left him in a little bit of a spot there...
He didnt really want to give me anything as he wouldnt want to help me ruin my arm and hand..On the other hand he said he could see I would just continue anyway, so he felt he needed to try and help me as best as he could.
So got something for the swelling, painkillers he refused to give me. Said if i were to continue against his better judgement, he hoped the pain would stop me before anything got ruined in there. Fair enough..I rather liked that actually!!
So here we are then..Bad case of Tendonitis..The wrist will not get better as long as i keep paddling with it like this...And might likely get worse..He thought...
But then..I cant really quit now because someone thinks that. I have to keep trying atleast. So thats what I am left with really. Kind of between a rock and a hard place.
I do want to paddle on. I want to get around. I want to continue with the girls and will do whatever possible to be able to. At the same time, its a hard enough trip being fit and well..And the last thing I want is to be the reason for the other two not to get around. Also I never again want to put them in the same situation as I did the other day. So whats the best thing to do right now? I have no idea what so ever. Its all I can think about really...
But right now I think I will try to continue. Give it another week and see how the progress is, how my wrist is holding up and how I am affecting the girls. As the group will be my number one priority always!! Worst case I will have to go on land. Travel a week up the coast and wait for the girls. It would be devastating..But it would keep me with the girls. And Ashley really have me thinking..What are you really doing this for? It would still be an acomplishment..Even tho ive missed 200 km of the 1600 we need to cover. All of this have made me feel a lot more happy and optimistic. And ive reconsidered my whole reason for being here and doing this.
What a learning experience this all is!!!
Interesting days......
-Vibeke
Thursday 20 July 2017
Day five and six!
As we got around hooks head the sea fog came in and the visibility was low. Time to trust my navigation skills and follow a bearing 280 degrees for an hour and we should hit land... And we did.
Vibeke' she energy levels getting lower and lower and she also squired a pain in her wrist resulting in her not being able to paddle.. Especially in a surf as her hand was hurting. The beach didn't look for away so frida rated up and I started toeing them into the beach. Yes towing two fully loaded kayaks was not easy. Going at about one and a half knots not too quickly but faster that what we were paddling with an injured paddler. After about thirty minutes the beach wasn't looking much closer. And it was time for me to give up my super hero badge and asked frida to drop forward in the contact tow and paddle as well. She then replied.. But she did just pass out a few minutes ago. With me to just reply. Ok just lay her on your back deck then. So she did where Vibeke was sound asleep until being woken up by the occasional breaker.
Wasn't the best situation to be in. The thought was there ready to make an emergency landing on the rocks. But steady wins the race. We kept the pace down and carried on. The river coming out and wind waves blowing in there were some interesting conditions.. I almost went over.. Waves pushing me one way and the raft of kayakers pulling me backwards.. I took the biggest deep breath ready for that roll.. Turned out my very low low brace saved me.. That was a close one.. Steady through the surf and eventually we made it to the beach.
We were amazed we made it to the beach all of us exhausted.. Camp went up quickly and food in the belly. Best night sleep for us all.
Day seven
Day seven we have had a rest. Hitch hiked to the nearest town. Vibeke had visited the doctor for her wrist and had some great advice from the pharmacy.now we are enjoying a cold beer in the pub hopefully ready for more paddling but less action tomorrow.
Monday 17 July 2017
Day four!
Sunday 16 July 2017
Day one!
After an hour or two of complaining they started popping their heads up to say hello. It was amazing.
We haven't had much practice together so finding a pace that suits everyone has been difficult but I am sure we will come closer together as the days go by.
- Ashley
Thursday 13 July 2017
Tomorrow is the day we have been waiting for.
Tomorrow we will be setting off for our adventure around Ireland. Setting out from Dun Laoghaire harbour and heading south. Both teddies and ladies have butterflies in their bellies.. We can't wait. Follow our track by using the link. http://share.findmespot.com/shared/faces/viewspots.jsp?glId=0BpiI4h1Zbk7nzLJ96BDbFHonoqF2bo93
Wednesday 21 June 2017
Three weeks to go!!!
The next time we see each other it will be in Ireland on the 12th July ready to set off for our adventure around Ireland.
The last 8 months has been a long process of training, organising, preparing, getting ready and now time is closing in on us quickly.
The nervous, anticipation and excitement are all building up inside us. We are very grateful for all the help we have received. Friends and family, sponsors and businesses that have help us out this far thank you very much!
We will be starting our trip clockwise around Ireland from Dun Laoghaire on the morning of 14th July. Weather permitting of course.
We hope to continue raising money for Barnekreftforeningen throughout our trip.. it is possible to donate here:http://minaksjon.barnekreftforeningen.no/barn-i-sentrum/5-5237
We will be keeping blogger and facebook uptodate as often as possible so keep watching.
- Ashley
Sunday 7 May 2017
Vibeke: First solo multi-day trip
Having only paddled 18 km I was disappointed and a little bit discouraged. I had planned quite a long trip, and this would make it hard to reach my imaginary end goal. But setting camp was fun. I had never done this on my own before. And found it quite rewarding. Unpacked in the lovely sun. Hanged my paddle gear for drying. And got ready to cook my evening dinner. Only......No matches...How will I light my cooker without matches??..aaaah sandwiches for dinner. Oh well...Let my support group know I was safe on land. Had a few supporting words and went to sleep in my tent.
I had the biggest smile on my face all day. I was quite nervous about this one part that people kept telling me about. Known for its rough conditions and no landing spots. But I got there and it was completely flat. Sparkling water. And I could use the whole day for sightseeing and practicing my navigation. I had promised myself a long lunch break when I got this area out of the way, and I found a fisherman who kindly donated his lighter so I could light my cooker.
But I did feel like in those scenarios it was kind of nice being a solo paddler as you can set your own pace. I was in no hurry. I was just getting to this one place on the map that marked a camp spot. Only..Turned out there was no camp spot. That was when I got really tired. How far did I need to go to find one?. And what was the best tactic now? Ended up paddling for another 5 km before I got lucky and found a perfect spot. 55 km done. Perfect day. Great paddling. My confidence grew!
But after about two hours of rest other people started to come to the island. Barbecuing, drinking beer and playing loud music. I started to get unhappy. This did not feel like the wilderness experience I was hoping for. So I decided I've come this far, might as well paddle all the way home. Once the decision was made. I packed my boat in a hurry, and set off. It was a slow paddle. But I kept imagining my shower and bed, so it kept me going. Another crossing of a shipping lane. But timing was perfect and I just managed to set foot on land before it got dark.