Have you ever had that thing, when you suddenly discover a whole new way to experience a place?
That’s how it was one sunny weekend this June when Erin Bastian rounded up seven people for some boat-based sea kayaking off the south Cornish coast.
It was one of this year’s improbably hot spells. For three days we launched from the Blue Linnet to kayak in and around the Helford; rock hopping, seal spotting, beach swimming, creek paddling.
The sea kayaks meant we could glide past cormorant nests on exposed, rocky shores and drift silently up tree-framed inlets as egrets took flight.
We picnicked on beaches and spotted wild campsites, swam from the boat before breakfast and jumped from the wheel house roof, plunging into a glassy sea.
There was SUPing, snorkeling and even diving for scallops – a mini foraged feast.
Meals on deck meant always eating with a view; the parade of boats in Falmouth Harbour, the breadth of sea and sky at Helford Creek.
In this liminal space where sea meets shore, and in these small craft, the best way to navigate was via OS Maps. We searched on our phones for places I’d only read or heard about.
The Manacles
Frenchman’s Creek
Then we paddled there – slow, tranquil, human-powered explorations.
These kinds of times are ones to be treasured. Days of finding new ways to experience a place, of making discoveries, and of opportunities being seized.
Of paddling, swimming and laughing. Of meeting people you’re pretty darned sure you’ll adventure with again.
Days of seeing all you can see and doing all you can do when you GetOutside.
The Blue Linnet ‘crew’ featured skipper & owner Gary (huge thanks!), Jo, Lucy, and ace adventurers Erin Bastian, Jonnie Miller and Anna Blackwell.
Erin and Jonnie were our kayaking guides and, although this was an informal trip for friends, Erin also runs kayaking trips with Evoke Adventure.
They range from days out in Devon and Cornwall, via legs of a 300km Coast 2 Coast anti-plastic pollution paddle across England, to circumnavigations of Menorca.
Belinda Dixon 