Backpack Kayak

a Poole Harbour Microadventure

By The Bimbler

Kayak: a pointy claustrophobic boat prone to capsizing

Swimming Pool Toy: a primary coloured inflatable ring or animal fought over by toddlers in chlorinated water

Packraft: less tippy but slower than a kayak and most often found on brackish or river water occupied by overgrown kids

With the weekend weather looking promising I headed over to the River Frome in Wareham to try out my new Packraft.

By pure luck the tide was going out which made paddling downstream optional. After getting my head around the backpack being lashed to the bow (as it’s meant to be with these craft) I gently cruised past moored yachts and reed beds rustling with hidden wildlife.

Once out of the estuary I joined Poole Harbour which is the largest natural Harbour in Europe. With the tide carrying the packraft and the wind at my back I made easy progress and was completely alone until a seal popped up just feet away to check me out. We then spent 20 minutes playing a game which the seal enjoyed more than me… it’s called ‘when I’m getting my camera out you hide’.

A while later I spotted a deserted beach so headed for shore to make tea and top up on snacks. By the time I waded through the gloopy mud leading from the water’s edge to the sandy beach I really needed the sweet calories so sat down until they kicked in.

Deciding not to tackle the mud for a second time I washed off the Packraft and stowed it away in the mesh pocket of my backpack. Having a boat that packs away so small and weighs just 3kg can be useful so I decided to walk the foreshore, passing the time honing my tracking skills…

1) Sika Deer

2) Mute Swan

3) Lesser Spotted Bimbler

The scenery was stunning with reed stems from the estuary marking various tide lines along the beach

I could have stayed in this gorgeous wilderness for weeks…

…but instead headed inland on the most direct route towards my destination. Without knowing my exact location I used the setting sun as a compass until I reached the far shore. Now dark, I stopped for the night and quickly fell asleep, serenaded by the rare song of nightjars.

As dawn broke I made my way down to the shoreline making sure to leave no trace of my impromptu overnight stop.

Luck was with me again on this fabulous morning… the sea was flat calm and the scenery a picture of tranquility

so before setting off I brewed a big mug of tea and sat watching the day get brighter

the paddle across to Shell Bay was a joyful experience and in the absence of curious seals I played a new game…

‘Spot the Barrel Jellyfish’

I stopped counting after the 63rd and on arriving by the Harbour mouth, packed away my boat once more and headed off walking towards Swanage with an empty stomach but a head full of new memories.