The First Few Days

The trip finally got underway on the 20^th May 2009, I decided to change where I would be leaving from, the new location was Camber Sands in Kent, a few family and friends were there to see a nervous Vaughan off to sea.

A few days prior to my departure date I received an email from a gentlemen called Chris Millington consequently Chris came to see me off. Having a few nervous cups of coffee with my family and Dom, Chris started to explain how he was due to leave the Army the day after my departure. As Chris was also a kayaker I suggested that if he was at a loose end he was more than welcome to join.

With this conversation put to one side the trip was underway, admittedly a few tears came from my eyes, not because of fear, just pure happiness as the sun was shining, the sea was flat and the unknown ahead, the talking and planning of the expedition was all behind me.

My first lunch break was on a cove just around the corner from Camber, after landing I noticed how the man in front of me had no clothes on, then another and another and another, yes you guessed it, Vaughan, Forest Gump and Borris the bear had landed on a nudist beach, probably the quickest pit stop known to man I made a sharp exit leaving the naked men behind me. Later on that day I found out that my Dad had been following me up the coastline keeping watch, honestly when we met up a few hours later I found it hard leaving him on the shore.

The first night I received a call from Chris explaining his wife Jackie had giving him the go ahead, consequently my new paddling partner would be joining from Eastbourne on Friday. In many ways relief was felt on my behalf, I no longer had the worry of being on my own when paddling, or lugging the boat to camp each night plus I had someone to bore with my usual chit chat. Chris’ attendance on the trip also gave my family large amount of relief.Chris recently circumnavigated the Falklands in January and February 09 with Tim Carter and Richi Simpsom . This also gives me a great opportunity to learn faster and push my limits as I had an experienced eye watching over me.

The second night was spent on Eastbourne seashore, while relaxing in the sun shine waiting for Chris to arrive, I heard a shout “oh, you are in my spot” to which I replied “well it aint yours now love”. The shout turned out to be from a woman called Charlie we spent the evening chatting, to my surprise later on Charlie turned up with fish and chips.

Chris turned up ready to go, in many ways he was like an excited kid going on an adventure, maybe that’s what we all are, just grown men living boy’s adventures? I was amazed at the small amount of gear Chris had bought with him, a few days later I asked if we could spend some time sorting out which gear I could send back home, basically half of my gear was put to one side and sent back home, Chris still thinks I have there is too much, but I had to put my foot down on certain belongings like my music.