Well what a fantastic day for a BBQ the rain let up for a short while, just long enough to get out the BBQ, and the umbrella helped to prevent the coals going out…
This was our first BBQ with the club, there is one arranged each year along with other fantastic trips that we have been able to take part in. But… Each year, just as we (the Pagett Family) plan on setting out, something has prevented us from joining in. Last year something got in all our way (Covid19) and so this year we weren’t letting anything stop us. The rain was light as we packed the car, but we carried on…
On arrival at Bracklesham Bay the heavens opened, but we continued onwards, where was everyone else? In no time Steve and Will turned up, followed by Stephen and Kate. So onwards to the water…
The sea was so flat, just a gentle swell under the boats and ripples where the rain hit the water. Steve and Will shared a brolly which was ingeniously attached to Steve to allow paddling (my apologies I don’t have a picture). Jon was on the way so we waited while he got on the water… And so we set off.
The paddle was uneventful on the way out except that, because it was so flat, we could easily paddle for a decent distance. As we neared our destination (picked, at random, in the moment) we spotted a Seal in the distance. Before we knew it it was swimming around the boats. A beautiful Grey Seal. It spent some time with us inadvertently herding us into a tight (but socially distanced) group. It bumped up against the underside of Daniel’s boat and played tag with a chord that Jon had trailing in the water.
We spent some time mesmerized by our encounter and then, the spell was broken. We set back for our BBQ. As we paddled back my stomach was rumbling, how had we paddled this far? Eventually we arrived but so had a downpour.
Undeterred by the rain (after a little discussion) we all set up our respective cooking apparatus…
Thanks to Kate for the photos:
A day I won’t forget in a hurry. I look forward to next year’s event.