Paddling wasn’t allowed here in Scotland during the first lockdown, and as much as I tried to keep focussing on the Doughnut, not the hole, do workouts and challenges and run, it was starting to get to me.
When things started opening back up, you were allowed to paddle again using your own boats, but not access clubs, for example. My boats were stored with Forth CC, so couldn’t use it. All around me, people were getting back on the water.
(At least that was my perception. I just want to acknowledge that it is a priviledge to be able to do recreational sports, let alone paddle, let alone own a boat let alone store it at your home.)
Lizelle, who I’d only paddled with twice before, took a pity, got in touch and let me use a demo boat she had at her house (A Think Eeze).
Conditions required an early start, which was absolutely phantastic and meant we got to see and paddle with a pod of dolphins. It would have been a special paddle any day, let alone after months off the water.
‘I feel so much better after a day with an early start on the water, sunshine, lovely people and dolphins! Lots of them.
Also: I mean... I was treated to rusks by Lizelle, posh pancakes by my flatmate Saoirse and scone-muffins by Hanna. How could this not be a good day?’
