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In April 2008 Patrick Winterton set out to follow the route of the Irish monks from Ireland to the Faroe Islands. His route started from his family home in mid Wales, negotiated the south coast of Ireland, past the Fastnet Rock and the imperial Skelligs before picking up the route of the missionaries legendary journey at Brandon Bay.
Slow progress past the surf bound headlands of the south west and the contrasting Aran Islands. Pushing through the mist that sat heavily on Conamara, past the rich piratical history of Clare Island and eventually to the waters of Donegal and the Malin Head tiderace. After a wind driven crossing to Scotland plans came to an abrupt halt near Oban. A hop, skip and a slip on slimy green rocks put him out of action for a month.
The plan had been to paddle as far as Stornoway on the Isle of Lewis where Patrick would team up with chauffeur/slalom paddler Mick Berwick. Even using four wheels and a ferry to get from Oban to the Hebrides the injury put them a full three weeks behind schedule. Darker nights were balanced out by warmer seas, but the chances of getting a suitable weather window to make the crossing were slim to nil. They made it as far as North Rhona before pulling the plug. Even so they got into deep water and had to call out the RNLI as the return journey to the mainland turned into an epic. Humbled certainly, but a long way from being put off. There is little doubt you learn more from getting it wrong. They feel and hope they’ve learnt enough to get it right next time. They need to. With a 60-70 hour crossing they will be a long way out of the RNLI’s range in some of the Atlantics deepest and fiercest water.
Patrick will restart his journey on June 4th from the same slimy rocks that took out his lower lumbar spine last summer. All being well both he and Mick should meet in Stornoway by the 25th June, ready to make an attempt on the crossing at the first sign of stable weather. Latest News from Patrick & Mick Many thanks to all of you who have entered the competition and made such generous contributions. It makes the pain and tedium worthwhile. The leg from Oban to Stornoway was a bit of an eye opener as it was almost exactly the same distance (320km) as from North Rona to where we expect to land on the Faroes. It took nine days of paddling 35 km per day into a fresh head wind at an average of just 4 kmph.We’re unlikely to start the final leg with a northerly forecast but if it changes while we are out there our predicted average of 6 kmph is unlikely to be achieved. If conditions are tough we will almost certainly adapt an 8 hrs on 4 hrs off routine. Bear this in mind if you’re going to submit another competition entry. Please note that the time spent on land at Butt of Lewis and North Rona will not be included but all the time spent at sea (paddling or resting) will be counted. Thanks again, hoping to restart 28th June PREDICT THE TIME TAKEN TO PADDLE FROM STORNOWAY TO THE FAROES AND WIN £5,000 WORTH OF THE BEST SEA KAYAKING EQUIPMENT
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