Kayaking from London to the Black Sea...
by The Adventure People on 14th February 2019
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What does adventure mean to you?
To me, it means being outside of my comfort zone and doing something different. It doesn't have to be abroad and can be close to home, but as long as it challenges me and makes me see something in a different way.
Tell us about your Kayaking the Continent adventure
My friend Kate came up with the idea when she was on her gap year a few years ago. She placed an advert online which I came across.. Over 80 women had responded but when I responded it turned out we went to the same school and lived close in Oxford. So we had 6 months to get to know each other and train as well as organise the logistics and sponsorship. In April 2018 we set off from Westminister Bridge in London and spent the next 5 months kayaking 11 countries and 5 capitals cities to the Black Sea in Romania . We covered over 4,000km in 150 days.
Had you kayaked much before?
Not much at all. Some on holidays, about 4 days the year before so had an alright level of skill. I had never been in a double kayak before. So during the 6 months before we set off, getting used to the kayak was definitely top of the list.What was the toughest part?
Towards the end, we had some really bad weather. We were really behind schedule because I had been ill. We had strong storms and headwinds so we covered less than 1/3 of the distance planned. Dealing with the frustration of that was so difficult and knowing we were so close to the end!
Best moment?
Without a doubt the people we met along the way. From the sponsors right away wanting to help and give advice. And along the journey, we had so many people who wanted to help us. So, so many would take us in, give us dinner let us shower and take us into their house or boat for the night. They gave us food and snack, absolutely incredible!What has been your best adventure yet?
Probably the five weeks trekking across arctic Sweden, solo. It was the most remote place I'd ever been. I spent 10 days trekking before I even saw a road. There was a period of 6 days when I didn't see a single person, just reindeers and started talking to them. Because I was completely by myself, no matter what happened, (my tent collapsed on me on my birthday), no matter what happened I had to get myself up in the morning, even if it was below freezing or raining. I got to the end knowing I myself had overcome these challenges. Knowing it was solely down to me, was very rewarding.Have you ever been on an adventure where you thought about giving up?
There are always moments when I think why am I putting myself through this, this is ridiculous, what am I doing here? On one of the early trips, when I walked 1,000 miles across Spain and France, it was still early days when I got shin splints and spider bites up my legs and arms, (turns out the spider had been in my sleeping bag which is pretty much my worst nightmare) plus I was stalked by heatwave. I was in the middle of nowhere and had run out of food and cash. I phoned my dad and said I don't want to do this, what am I doing? I was so tired and exhausted. But there wasn't really anything I could do. Then some people saw me, and turns out they take in walkers. So they gave me a place to sleep and dinner, they were like angles for me that day. It completely transformed how I was feeling, so I kept going and had a fantastic time. It was an incredible trip! There are always those moments when I feel tired and hungry, and a bit lonely, but it's getting past that moment that makes it worth it, and it does get good again.What do you like about travelling solo?
There's something about the self-sufficiency of it. Particularly with trekking, you've got everything you need in your backpack. Also getting to choose what you when you do it. If you're in a group you have to adjust to others and what they want to do. When you're by yourself I find travelling solo you're forced to put yourself out there to meet people. You're going to make more of an effort and I've definitely met more people that I would not have met if I was with other people.
Do you ever get lonely?
I don't really. I thought I would in arctic Sweden, but I was completely ok in my own head and space a lot. I did see people at the mountain stations. Also, I had a journal, camera and kindle to read. It was all the entertainment I needed really.What are some of your upcoming adventures?
My plans for this year is in March I'm going to Africa for a month! I'm going to road trip from South Africa, through Botswana, Zimbabwe, Mozambique and it's with one of my best friends. For summer, most likely Arctic Scandinavia because I completely fell in love with it. It'll probably be a 3-month solo trek about covering about 500 miles through Norway, Sweden and Finland.
Who's been your biggest inspiration?
Actually, it is one person in particular; Anna Mcnuff, an adventurer and storyteller. She appeared at a key moment when I was deciding whether to do a conventional career route with a summer internship like everyone was telling me I should be doing, and my other option was to walk 1,000 miles through Spain and France. I just felt really drawn to it. Lots of people said that's stupid how's it going to help your career? and then I stumbled upon Anna's blog and she was off on adventures and writing about it. I thought if she's doing that I can do it as well. so I did the 1,000 miles and that was a big turning point for me so I owe a lot to herDo you have any advice for people who want to start living a life of adventure?
Find something that scared you a little bit. Something that takes you outside your comfort zone. If it's something you can research and plan that will really help. Just get out there and do it. Find something that excites you, and follow it!
You can read more about Anna on her blog https://annablackwell.co.uk
