The Levitation of my Epic Wing...

Just a few more pics from that kayaking weekend in the Esteros del Ibera…August 23rd 2011

Paddle demo, lose hands and fingers...

Paddle demo, lose hands and fingers...

Paddle demo, lose hands and fingers...

Paddle demo, lose hands and fingers...

Me and myself...

Paddle talk...

That's how NOT to paddle...

Topi and Freya

Thanks to Topi Medina who took all those nice pics!

Mark S. Peloquin from Bluewater Kayak Works installing an electrical bilge pump in my South American kayak

Mark S. Peloquin from Bluewater Kayak Works was so kind to extra fly over from Seattle to Germany to install in my new South American epic 18x sport kayak! He even left me an extremely well pre-prepared spare set for my spare kayak which will arrive next week! Thanks for your work, Mark!

The neatly handcrafted Bluewater Kayak Works electrical bige pump setup behing my seat.The backrest is mady by Snapdragon.

The Bluewater Kayak Works elctrical bilge pump batterie box

The Bluewater Kayak Works elctrical bilge pump switch is well hidden in foam under the deck of the dayhatch.

My boat name - en Castellan!The Bluewater Kayak Works electrical bilge pump outlet underneath.

The boat - again an epic 18x sport Expedition - the English side! The paddle: again an epic full carbon small midsize 205 cm 652 g wing - nothing less or else!

The secret is revealed – there she is!

The boat - again an epic 18x sport Expedition - the Castellano side! The paddle: again an epic full carbon small midsize 205 cm 652 g wing - nothing less or else!

The one of a kind epic rudder system- the one and only rudder I'd take on an expedition! There is no second choice. See my kayaking silhouette on the stern...

The new stern hatch cover of the epic 18x sport

The new bow hatch cover of the epic 18x sport

My boat name - en Castellano! The Bluewater Kayak Works electrical bilge pump outlet underneath.

The new dayhatch cover of the epic 18 x sport.The Bluewater Kayak Works electrical bilge pump magnetic switch slider on the deck

Bluewater Kayak Works bilge pump switch on the backdeck, batterie box in the dayhatch. Snapdragon backrest, Skwoosh gel seat pad, North Water cockpit bags and under deck bag.

The new epic 18x sport dayhatch reminds me of something...

North Water cockpit bags take all the safety hardware. The under deck bag takes my day snack food.On the top left the Bluewater Kayak Works electrical bilge pump hose going to the outlet.The sponge is an essential piece of kit to get rid of the last puddle in the cockpit.

What would a woman do without a skillful IT-guy on her side…

Thanks VERY MUCH to my partner Peter Unold, who had *almost* as much fun assisting me on the IT-side of my trip preparations as if he’d be joining me paddling himself…but unfortunately his business it-arkitekterne requires to stay present in Denmark.

But what exactly did he help me with?

I can list only a few things here now, but if you like to do a trip like I do and to publish it accordingly, *I* needed some assistance in “how to”:

- how to get a new Iridium Motorola 9555 satellite phone to work smoothly (the best on the market, but the handling is still not 100% foolproof…)

- how to install and use the X-Gate software from Global Marine Networks to compress the update email I’m sending daily from the field via sat phone modem

- how to use that same e-mail for a forwarding list to my inner circle contacts

- how to update my blogpostings automatically with that same e-mail, including a few days delay, a link to a google map and a daily changing headline (modified WordPress Postie plugin)

- how to forward my blogpostings smoothly and instantly with the header pic of the posting to both my Facebook friend’s page and Facebook fan page

- how to update my trip table automatically with that same e-mail

- how to set up an interactive Google trip map

- how to efficiently use my GPS with maps, make the maps visble on the computer, upload and download waypoints and tracks and link them to a Google map

- how to set up my Picasa Web Album, upload and edit all my old pics there, and to embed the uploaded pics into my blog postings

- how to organize all my press snippets digital here on Picasa

- how to use my new small video action cam, and how to download, basic edit and upload the videos to my you tube channel

- how to upload the existing big video files from my TV appearances to my website

- how to connect and charge all my electronic gadgets for my trip form my new Brunton solar panel and storage batterie

- how to select, install and use a good quality unlocked android cell phone to be able to be used with South America’s sim cards

- how to use skype via the cell phone and to use it as a modem

- how to find, download, unzip and print big picture map files in matching pieces and make a homemade map out of it (Ronya Poster Printer)

- how to print a screenshot from the computer

- how to use an e-book reader, upload heaps of books without making it even heavier – to eventually carry it on my trip – and to read it while I’m paddling (stuffed in an Aquapac) long quiet boring stretches of coastline! (I was training to read while I’m paddling by reading while I’m driving my motorhome long distance…)

- how to install and use a new multi device printer, fax, scanner and copymachine at home…

- how to install a new TV…(well, not really trip related…)

- how to install a new landline phone and internet system in my house…

- how to service my computer in general and to get rid of multiple bugs…

- how to store data online rather than on the computer (Google storage and Dropbox) which may break or get stolen on the trip – and how to eventually get as fast as possible a new compter set up – just in case…

- how to backup my website regularly

- how to efficiently use my existing x-mas shop cashier combined with my inventory spreadsheet to make things in my shop to run as easy as possible for my managers (that was quite a job…)

- how to learn 1000ds of computer details here and there…

- how to create a fee list for all his services – just in case *you* like to ask him in detail how to do this and that… ))

- Thanks very much Peter! Muchos besos! -

Last chance to buy great stuff NOW!

I will be able to send things when I’m away through my helpers in Husum, but it would be nicer to do it myself now…thanks to all you guys for ordering so well! I think I sent out about 20 parcels so far…my garage space is getting a bit more empty again!

Here is the list of my kayaking and outdoor kit yardsale

It’s a mix of “dear old friends, too good to throw away”, “doubles and triples”, “very good – but I have better ones”, “can’t use them all” and “I simply have too much” kit.

Please feel free to browse through the list, see the pics, find more details about the items on the web (before you ask me…), and see the price new and suggested price now.

Please tell your friends about the sales list! It may be updated from time to time, I’ll give a note here when I’m adding new stuff!

Please send me an e-mail or give me a call if you like and need something!

Payment: Advance on my account or Paypal button, or cash on pick-up, shipping expenses are paid by the buyer.

My Rockpool Underground Prototype Greenlandstyle rolling kayak is for sale!

It was specially made for me by Aled Williams, former co-ownder of Rockpool Kayaks, now owner of Tide Race. Unfortunately, it didn’t make it beyond the prototype version due to the unlucky split of  Rockpool Kayaks. Please have a look at my sponsor’s website here.

The boat was originally born white (as seen in TITS III), but I painted it solidly in shiny black.

I sold it three years ago to Peter Unold, who enjoyed it’s rolling abilities until now.

Peter asked me now to sell it for him.

It is one of a kind kayak you’ll never see and get again!

The bottom has my website painted in white letters, nicely visible when rolling…

It has footpegs and Greenlanstyle deck bungees and toggle loops. No bulkheads or hatches, but a solid foam block as seat and backrest to prevent it from being filled up with water, just in case.

The price is 1800 €

I’m featured in a new book from Spiegel Online, written by Stephan Orth and Antje Blinda:

“Sorry, Ihr Hotel ist abgebrannt”

You may like to check it out! It’s fun to read! (In German)

For all my readers on this world not being too happy to read my website and blog in English only:

My webmaster (Thanks, Derrick!) installed a new translation plugin on the top right side of my page! You simply click on your language, and magically it gets translated to your selected language!

It’s powered by Google translator, and does the job as good as Google translator gets…well, it still sounds sometimes a bit funny, at least when I translate my English written stuff into German…

But it may be helpful for all those readers who are not fully fit with English! For sure I’m thinking about my South American trip…and I will learn at least a bit of Spanish!

Andre Janecki, and old friend and great photographer I met in Australia, was at Kanumesse on a special mission – please check out his website

http://www.hybridfoundation.org.au/