Risen from the almost dead

Anyone following my blog may have thought I went into the afterlife.  I haven't paddled in just over seven weeks,  since December 16th.  I have a good excuse.  Its been very windy around here since.  I can recall only one day that I could have paddled but did not.  I should also confess that I've been seduced by the fatbiking craze!

Finally, today the wind lay down and it was sunny.  It was cool but not freezing cold.  I asked the retirees without success.  Brian and Clyde went fatbiking.

I couldn't pass up the opportunity so I went by myself.  The conditions made it an easy choice.  The only issue in going alone for me is - no one to take pictures of.  It was going to be ...

... landscape shots only.  You can't always get what you want.  Nevermind!  Here I paddled around the Rock of Ages and looked out before exiting.

It was cool, just 0C.  There is, for all intends and purposes, no snow on the ground.  Most unusual for February 7th.  In the shadows, protected from the glare of the sun, water run-off stays frozen to the cliffs.

At Topsail Beach there was only one small patch of snow, maybe even just ice, on top of Topsail Head.  I stopped for a break and snack but did not linger so as the cold couldn't penetrate my bones.

On return I paddled inside of "Harald Bluetooth".  Paddling south I had to squint into the sun but on the return north I had the sun behind me.

It was a slow relaxed paddle that felt like a long lost friend had been found.  I'm back in the game.  A couple of years ago Dean and I paddled almost every weekend over the winter.  Too late for that now but I certainly hope to be a bit more regular.

I am BACK!!!