|
Sandy is Back
in India
extracts from Sandy's blog
.... fishermen have wielded lumps of wood menacingly at me
and forced me on their boat. Today they ran me over, damaged
my kayak and physically restrained me to their boat while
ripping gear off my kayak.
A friendly local helping
Sandy earlier on the trip
17 May, Chennai to Pulicat
Island, 47km, The crew from the RMYC helped me launch in the
morning and then I had company on the water as far as Ennore
port with the police boat and a yacht from RMYC. Tonight the
adventure-nature crew are camping at Pulicat with me on the
beach. It feels like a warm send off from my adventures in
Tamil Nadu…thanks so much all of you for your kind support
of my expedition. Tomorrow I cross into Andhra Pradesh.
18 May, in India you never
know what is gonna happen. The plan was to paddle into a new
state, what I got was taken by uncomprehending fishermen back
to Pulicat after paddling a long way! Major stressful day,
got scared enough to set off PLB at one point, good side though
is a night in a fishermans home. Thanks Kathiravan and family
and to all the other phone support for my mini crisis! Feeling
Fried by India today.
19 May, Pulicat (Tamil
Nadu) to Vadapalem Village (Andhra Pradesh) India Fishermen
2, Sandy 0.
Long story but second time in 2 days that fishermen have wielded
lumps of wood menacingly at me and forced me on their boat.
Today they ran me over, damaged my kayak and physically restrained
me to their boat while ripping gear off my kayak. I am taking
time out now to repair damaged kayak and dented courage. Day
ended hosted at Armogan lighthouse and up the lighthouse trying
for ph signal with the police. Tomorrow going back to Chennai
for a rethink! Thanks for the counselling Jehan Driver! You
are awesome! Thanks Navaz for being calm and clear and sorting
out the immediate problems:) thanks to everyone else who tried
to help too!
May 20, returning to Chennai
to make kayak repairs, having Andhra Pradesh police for security
along route is awesome. Thanks to Les Allen kayaks who have
given phone support for how to repair Skeg and to Baroda Polyform
in Gujarat and my friend Rustom for express posting the plastic
welding kit that I need. Thanks to Mumusamy in Vadapalem and
the Andhra CSG Police for transport arrangements. Thanks to
Navaz for phone support, translations and hosting me again.
Thanks to Jehan and Quest expeditions for behind the scenes
logistics! Thanks to Nanda and Electronic Lab for PLB repairs.
And anyone else I have forgotten. You are all amazing.
A big crowd gathers nearly
everytime Sandy lands
******************************************
Jason Beachcroft
has been paddling for over 16 months
but Sydney and the finish
is in sight.
Jason launched at Rose
Bay Sydney at 9am Saturday 12th of January 2013
Yesterday
On Deal Island and here I'll stay till the next weather window.
Beautiful place. Thanks to Fiona, Mick, Ali and Tully for
the refreshments. Never actually been inside a lighthouse
before. Very windy at the moment and going to get worst before
it gets better. But yesterday was one if the most pleasant
paddling days I've had in months.
Tuesday
At Killiecrankie. Watching the weather like a Sea Eagle. Thanks
to the Friends of Bass Strait Islands for a lovely dinner
on Roydon Island.
Sunday
On Roydon Island. Quaint little hut. Friends of Bass Strait
Wildcare Group are here working on Box Thorn for a couple
of weeks. Still beautiful country.
Friday
At Whitemark on Flinders Island. There has been some progress,
some currents and a generally strong NW too. But the area
is magnificently beautiful too. I know that I'll be back here
again.
|
