MORE than two months after kayaker Chris Allix left the Isle of Man for Monaco, the Mediterranean is now in his sights.
Chris, who is raising money for five children’s charities through the 2,000-mile trip, expects to reach the Mediterranean next week.
His aim is to reach Monaco by September 19 for the opening of the principality’s annual yacht show.
Adding to the unexpected sights he has encountered on his trip, when he arrived at the river on Wednesday he was met by a local taking his llama for a walk.
His adventures have already seen him trying to help a young deer, and a dog, stuck in the water.
Chris, of Tromode, said: ‘The sun shone most of the day but I had a head wind all the time and this increased in strength as the day progressed.
‘This became a problem towards the end because a strong wind opposing a strong current, results in waves and by the end I had two foot waves which reminded me of the Irish Sea.
‘This helped me with the home sickness because I do miss all my girls at ICM/Dominion.’
The following day he completed one of his longest paddles of the challenge, covering more than 60km travelling from Montelimar to Avignon.
Describing going down the river, he said: ‘I got back in just under the weir with strong currents over shallows, which was interesting, but later the river narrowed and became shallow resulting in a mini rapid lasting for over one kilometre.
‘I had great fun and would have loved to have done that part again, although I doubt the bottom of my kayak would agree.
‘This occurred several times but not for the same distance.’
Later that day he was on the River Rhone where the ‘water was crystal clear with large fish jumping all around the kayak’.
Chris crossed the Irish Sea on June 26, and after working his way south through England along its canals and rivers crossed the Channel at the end of July.
Since then he has been negotiating the rivers, and locks and commercial barges on France’s canal system.
He is raising money for Sailing for the Disabled (Isle of Man), Namaste Children’s Home (Nepal), Outward Bound Trust (Monaco), Encompass Trust (UK) and the ICM Charitable Trust (Isle of Man).
You can donate online at www.mantomonaco.com or drop in cheques to his office: Dominion Marine Corporate Services Ltd, 6th Floor, Victory House, Prospect Hill, Douglas.
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