Farewell Pumpkin

Thank you to Sandie Wainwright, who sold me Pumpkin all those years ago

Today I sold my little orange slice of pumpkin, a Diesel 65 white water fun boat. I’m sad to see her go. As my dear mentor and friend Dave Butler once told me I was never a white water paddler. But I did love that little boat and every time in her was fun.

Brian Wenlock, Sue Couling and me, petrified

This picture was taken on Llangedwyn Bridge over the River Tanat with two dear friends, Brian Wenlock and Sue Couling. They had both volunteered to help me on my first leg of a momentous (for me) journey: a circumnavigation of Wales. Our boats were lined up on the river bank below us. The river was in spate and I was terrified.

Before this photo was taken I said to them: “You do realise I’m a terrible apology for a white water paddler?” Neither of them were bothered. They gave me no excuse to back out. That says everything about them. I hardly knew Sue yet she was extraordinarily generous with her time and expertise and became a great friend.

Brian was someone who gave with both hands to everyone. He enabled people. What Brian gave me personally was hours of patient, reassuring guidance on sea and river. Sue has been my sea mentor and generous guide especially on my kayak Circumnavigation of Wales which I completed in …. and for which I was awarded Sea Kayaker of the Year, something I am unashamedly proud of.

Of course almost all the circumnavigation was in a sea boat but there was one more white water section. On a later stage of the journey Dave Butler bravely put his hand up to lead me, Matt Dunn and daughter Amy down tthe Dee from Llangollen to the Boat House pub at Erbistock. I say bravely because Dave had already discovered that I am neuro-diverse to the extent that a command to go left, or keep right, has zero effect. This can be challenging on the river.

Matt and Amy didn’t need leading but I did, I followed Dave like a tail follows its mouse. I can’t find a single photo of that trip, one of the prettiest river trips possible.

Once under the Froncysltte Viaduct you shoot through steep wooded valleys where only kayaks, canoes and wildlife go.

Selling Pumpkin feels sad, parting with memories of special days enabled by dear friends. But it went to the best of people, a young woman called Hannah who is a coach with her local sea scouts. Pumpkin, now re-named Invincible 4 has already been launched on Hannah’s local water as I write.

Now this is why an ode to a little white water boat is appearing here in 77 Islands. Selling her is all part of a big plan for 2026.

I have already paddled to and slept on 10 islands this year. Blog to follow. That brings me to 63 islands. 14 to go. I really don’t see why I shouldn’t finish the project by the time I am 78 on October 31^st 2027.

This is one of the 10 paddled to and slept on in 2026. So beautiful. But where is it?

I don’t want to hurry it. Every island now feels like it should be stand-alone important. In …. When I started circumnavigating Wales Brian wisely told me “This trip is going to be all about people, the people you paddle with and the people you’ll meet.” He was right.

It’s been the same with the 77 Islands project even though I have paddled and camped many of the islands solo. This year I’m hoping to paddle with people who mean a lot to me, starting with Alan Kimber and Andy Ravenshill on Jura next week, wind permitting! Please wish us luck.

and if this isn't the same island...then where is it? blog coming soon, tho I dropped my phone in the river by mistake and have lost lots of lovely photos...maybe I'll get to go back!

I want to pick up an island camp with all of my grandchildren, if I can. I’m hoping to paddle the Thames to Silvertown, an island that is significant to my partner Col. And I would like to finish, to sleep on island number 77 with my sister Jen.

The thing is, Jen lives on Vancouver Island. That’s fair enough, she’s Canadian. But it’s really expensive to get there and that’s where Pumpkin the white water boat comes in. I visited Jen in May and when I got back I decided I wanted to go back. So I started selling stuff. From clothes I hadn’t worn for a year to a white water boat that I hadn’t used for a year. Selling Pumpkin has brought my travel fund to an amazing £984.89.

Canada in the fall? Never did see that. Could be good!

Pumpkin has gone to an excellent home and I’m celebrating.

In the meanwhile thank you for reading my blog. I hope it will sometimes inspire you, especially you really really old people like me, to follow up on the things you dream of doing. And thank you also to everyone who has kindly contributed to Aban, the Inverness charity that inspires and supports youngsters to get out into the great outdoors.

Happy Paddling Hannah and Invincible 4!