Seal'ed with a kiss - Winterton to Great Yarmouth sea paddle
Published: April 2009 | Written by: Bob Bertram
Saturday was really warm and sunny so what should I pack for the trip the next day?
Well, I packed just about everything. Wet suit, dry suit, thermals, shorts, you name it, I packed it. Just as well really because Easter Sunday was cold, misty,damp, grey and reasonably windy.
We assembled in Asda's car park at the unearthly hour of 0815 then drove to Winterton for the put in. Trevor seemed to show a penchant for roundabouts even then! There were seven of us hardy souls, Alan, Paul, Rob, John, Keith, myself and Trevor from the Dereham club. By the time everything was unloaded and the shuttle done and dusted it was nearly 10 o'clock before we got on the water. A nice chap who was a volunteer with the Winterton Coastwatch took details of our trip to pass on to the Coastguard etc. Nice to know that someone was looking out for us even though we consider ourselves to be self sufficient.
Once on the water we started to see the seals. Over the whole trip I lost count of how many but the highlight was the youngster who took a shine to Alan. It followed Alan for some distance and kept nudging or kissing his stern! At one point, I thought the seal was going to leap on to the back deck of Alan's kayak. The antics kept us amused for ages and after a while we just drifted with the tide whilst Paul took numerous photos. I assumed, for some reason, that the seal in question was female and that Alan was wearing his "herring" flavoured aftershave!
Eventually, she gave up her amorous advances and we continued to Yarmouth using the 2 knot tide, stopping briefly for a bite to eat and a coffee. Then onward to Britannia Pier where we drifted around for a while, seemingly encircled once again by seals although not quite as close this time after which we paddled back the way we had come for half a mile or so to our landing place. A long walk across the dunes carrying our kayaks and kit then the reverse shuttle, (with another roundabout moment), for those who had cars still at Winterton.
All in all, a most memoriable day despite the miserable weather. It is one that will remain with me for a long time.
Good company, a fair tide and that amazing young seal. It really made the day.