[pe2-image src=”http://lh6.ggpht.com/-7oOczqHFN6c/UX0ihgOeGPI/AAAAAAAAU-M/nM8iZ4REPQI/s144-c-o/P4210006.JPG” href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/112133179186774955122/SouthAmericaSection2Stage14Colombia2BoarderPanamaToBoarderVenezuela#5871887448142649586″ caption=”Sunrise on an early morning start” type=”image” alt=”P4210006.JPG” ]
Pos: here
Loc: Laguna de Navio Quebrado
Acc: tent
Dist: 33,9 km
Start: 5:35 End: 13:30
At least this night’s sleep was better, it was not too hot any more this late, different to last night where the sweat was running down in streams in the wind free piscina.
I was up and ready to launch with first light, when the police came again for – what for? To see me launching? Well, good bye! The surf fortunately had calmed a lot tonight, and the sea was calm and it was no wind – yet. The good progress went down soon, as the wind lifted. I still had hope to read Riohacha tonight! But different to the forecast staying around 10 knots today, with gusts to 12-14 knots, it was eventually continuous 15 knots with higher gusts, and the sea was across the lagoons quite littered with low breakers.
I was fighting for a long while, and even thought it was fun playing with the low breakers, as I couldn’t get away from them anyway. But my speed dropped and dropped, down to 3 km/h eventually the last few hours, still I kept on paddling…I had energy left after the good sleep, and it was not too hot with the wind. Different to yesterday, where I was paddling while burning up and being tired to death.
At some point I realized I’d not make it to Riohacha today, but had to go to shore soon. As I needed more water, I waved my coast guard boat, and they tried to pass me one of my bags via a long stick. But as that required again to stay parallel pointing into the waves, it was not working despite I almost caught the bag.
They eventually decided to get the rescue ring, tied it to a long rope, clipped my water bag on the ring and threw the whole thigh into the water for me to catch. Just that the untangling of the rope took them about five minutes…should such a ring with a long rope already attached not be a basic equipment on a coast guard boat? If the guys yesterday would havefallen in, they would have taken some time to do the job…but at least they found ring and rope…
But as soon as I fished the ring and unclipped my water bag and had let go, they noticed they were hauling up an empty rope…the knot got lose of the ring…this was not me, guys! I just unclipped my water bag…thanks!
I paddled off, as it was really not my business now to fish the ring out of the water…but it seemed they soon got it back via the hook. Good practice today for a serious case, guys!
I paddled past a few houses and a public beach spot before I found a private spot where I felt all right to put up camp after the long hard wind fight. I was hoping I was far away enough from the bunch of kids following me easily for a while, as I was not paddling faster than them walking…
But I was just ready making camp, when the four kids came curiously along. No problem, but I was just about to shower and change…I had to entertain them for a while, and as soon as their attention was rather on the coast guard boat out there, I hide behind a cactus bush and did my job. Soon the whole family came, obviously being Indians and only the kids speaking Spanish. But all friendly, and eventually I had my privacy again – besides my watch dogs still floating around out there? Why? Sure, the waited for th police taking over…
They soon came around 4.30 pm, trying to tell me to move a kilometer back to where all the people are…more safe there…I actually just feel great out here, thanks! No way to break camp again and to paddle just a single meter back…the officer spoke good English and rather seemed to be interested to have an easier access for a bit more conversation…my poor coast guard guys were still bumping up and down there in the waves…aren’t they not sea sick yet? Why aren’t you not going home yet? Thanks to both, coast guard and police, to look after my safety!
6 comments on “Sun 21/04-2013 Day 460”
Well, Ricardo, have a look at Day 462, it explains a lot. Don’t think Freya is quite herself at the moment. When you are worn out, the littlest things can really get you. And being used to German efficiency for near on 50 years, it is hard to take stuff in your stride when you are knackered, physically and mentally. She’ll perk up again with some rest.
Every one should bear in mind that the navy is providing Freya a free service to secure her safety. It is not a military excersice. The navy chaps being selected by reason of what is being requested may not be the cream of the navy force but surely they are trying their best under not so easy circumstances by trying to keep a big overboard motored boat under strong winds, choppy water in shallow water, steady. Whomever has maneuvered a Cigarette type boat with three outboard motors or even two in shallow and choppy waters as described by Freya will surely understand.
Thumbs up for all the Colombian Navy crew assisting Freya in her endeavor to transit safely along the beautiful Pacific and Caribean coasts of Colombia.
I wonder what these sailors charged with Freya’s safety would write if they had a blog about their adventures. I doubt that they are in this situation by their own choice. I am sure they are doing their best under these circumstances. I am glad no one has been hurt.
I agree, Ricardo. They try hard to help and for no charge!
Who said it would be easy to circumnavigate southamerica? . The local navy and police of all countries visited made big efforts helping Freya as much as possible. That why, in my opinion, the daily reading of “thanks to coast guard” followed by a large “but” and plenty o critics to them is not fair.
The wind has really been kicking your bottom this week, hasn’t it. Sorry to hear that.I’m glad that you were still able and energized enough to still make some fair mileage today despite the hard wind. I know you’d like to have gotten a lot more though.I agree in that it sounds like the coast gaurd boys need to be a bit more prepared in their efforts.You’re giving them good training as well.Maybe it will pay off for them to be more prepared in a real rescue effort.Its good and I”m impressed in how you still find your friendliness in meeting the locals along your way,the kids and family, even after such a tiring day.And still thanking the gaurd and police,though I know You wish you were safe enough to go it all alone.Good for you.Rest Well. Safe Paddling
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