Unfortunately, this trip has gone rather wrong before it has really started. On arriving at the coast after paddling down the Cam and Ouse, my phone kept reporting, “No signal”, so I assumed that there was no network coverage.
The forecast sounded terrible, but I didn’t phone the coastguard as all I could have told them at that point was that I wasn’t on the water and I had no plans to paddle for several days. However, I did phone home from a landline, explaining the situation, and so I was more than a bit surprised when the coastguard turned up at my tent saying they had been looking for me.
It turns out that I was in coverage, but the phone had broken, and of course, with hindsight, I should have let the coastguard know where I was. On or off the water.
I’m now carefully proceeding, ensuring the CG always know where I am, carrying three new phones on three different networks, and feeling very red-faced and disappointed that I have unwittingly become a drain on the resources of one of the charities that I had hoped to support during this trip.
Good luck with the trip, we will follow your progress with interest. Living near Norwich we visit & know Cambridge very well. Nice touch starting from there….very different. We paddle a Romany Surf and a Rockpool Alaw Bach.
Hope the weather Improves.
Frank & Sally
Do you want to borrow a VHF radio? I have a spare I can loan to you, if that would be helpful and you let me know a delivery address.
Hi Mark,
Thanks for the generous offer – I have two DSC VHFs (and a PLB) with me, but they were off while I was off the water.
I think you’ve done well considering the weather. Your tale is not unlike that of Geoffrey Hunter. Early contact with CG might not be a bad thing. I’m a regular sea paddler on the coast of N.Essex. If you email I’ll send you my mobile number should you wish to use it. Otherwise I’ll try to give you a wave as you pass by. Good luck.
Thanks Tim – I’ll send you an email.
Guy
Hope the weather doesn’t get you. It will get better at some point, or you will just harden up. It’s a great trip, so enjoy every minute of it. Wish you luck and good fun.
As for the incident, take it as great PR:-) But of course, no more searches wanted or unwanted.
NAtalie
Thanks Natalie,
Its amazing what you can get used to with the weather 🙂
I really enjoyed your and Michal’s blog last year – a big influence on me.
All the best,
Guy.