Xmas party on Lough Gill! This was a nice trip and good fun at times 🙂 Dave G. and I drove up to Hazelwood to meet about 16 other kayakers and we all went out to Church Island for a Christmas picnic and a game of kayak polo.
The day was overcast but quite nice. There was a bit of wind but nothing too strong – it was cold though. Hazelwood is beautiful and the trip out from there to the island is gorgeous, passing “Monk’s Island” on the way.
I’m not sure what the point of Monk’s Island is – it’s mostly man-made, but there is a tree there that has obviously been growing for a decade or two. The land is essentially one huge gabion with some natural rock and soil beside it. Maybe it’s being preserved in some way, but it seems very heavy-handed if so!
The sub-group I ended up paddling with on the way out did not know where the landing point was and got mislead by another kayaker in the distance who turned out not to be with us at all! We went half-way round the wrong side of the island before figuring it out!
We stopped for lunch and a campfire – more goat chop from Dave for me, as well as some mulled wine 🙂 . After we ate, there was a game of kayak polo organised. I’d never played and did not relish the idea. I was determined not to capsize and therefore to probably stay on the fringes. However that changed once we started – it was great!
We used a quarter-filled 1.5l water bottle as a “ball” and some reed-patches as the goal areas. Getting into close quarters to intercept and tackle people was a lot of fun. It reminded me of good times from the past (maybe bumper cars?). It was very good-natured and energetic and everyone seemed to be enjoying themselves.
It was a good workout too – I was very warm by the end of it, despite very nearly capsizing at one point; only staying up by pushing on the bottom of the lake!
Everyone had decorated their boat and brought a Krist Kindl present. After the polo we landed again and prizes were given for best-decorated boat, and the presents were handed out. We had more food and then headed back to Hazelwood.
On the way back I got a strange twinge from my left elbow along my underarm to the back of my armpit. It subsided after a while, but it was unpleasant. I figured I’d done something during the polo, as there was a lot of sudden acceleration and turning needed. (Over the few days afterwards the point on my elbow was sore and inflamed, but it calmed down to normal with no issues).
Dave and I drove into Sligo to meet Stuart again and I bought a set of neoprene seals for the drysuit from him (€30, which seems like a great deal). We headed back to Mayo after that and I had a cup of tea with him and his daughter Emma before heading home.
Highlights Gallery
Preparing to lauch at Hazelwood Alan R.’s deorated boat My decorated boat Ducks at Hazelwood The best-decorated boat! Monk’s Island
