Seeking the Wolf

After my Greenland rolling course with Kayak Ways it seems I spent the most of July and August making paddles and practising rolling at my local bays.  I was still without a waterproof camera so we now skip forward to the end of August... 

Meeting up with Elan the plan was as follows; use the ebb to take us down onto Flatholm but attempt a ferry glide over to Monkstone Lighthouse.  It'll be a little fight with the tide but I've managed it before with Taran.  We aim to leave Flat Holm just short of low water to give us enough time to continue on down stream to The Wolves Rock and hopefully catch it just ever so slightly above the surface.

Leaving Penarth we paddle out past the Cardiff Grounds Buoy and onto the giant sand bank itself.  We brush past the fast flowing waters surrounding the banks and surf the tidal waves to keep us on track for Monkstone Lighthouse.

We land briefly on the rocks that the lighthouse endlessly guard looking back toward Penarth and Cardiff under dark shadows of a storm system.  

We hop back on the River Severn conveyor belt, which takes us now directly on to Flat Holm. 

We land beneath the cliffs we normally paddle amongst at high water.  Elan sparks up his trusty Jet Boil to cook us up a hot brew, but it's only a short stop as we have some business to attend to.  

The Wolves.  In the fifty or so times I have paddled past here there would normally be a shipping buoy and some rough water.  At spring low tides the rock does surface and for a while I've wanted to make a point of landing on the rocks.  Today wasn't a big spring.  Last night I did some old school tidal planning and calculated the rock may possibly only just be surfacing.  It wasn't worth the bother.  But the Mike Mayberry confirmed my calculations by adding there should be around 30cm/1ft of rock surfacing and to prove it we should go measure.      

Well he wasn't wrong but landing would be a little difficult....

But Elan wanted to measure.

 The tide was now on the flood and we arrived back at Penarth in quick time.

Just enough time for a few practice rolls :-)

Some Me Time

This trip was a while back so I'll try to remember what I can, so here goes...

End of May, a busy time of year in the garden, my business.  Everyone wants me at once, the phone doesn't stop ringing, endless unopened emails in my inbox, I've had enough.  Time for some 'me' time to recharge the batteries.  So decide to escape the rat run, turn off the work phone and get away from it all out on Flat Holm.

Sometimes it's just nice to get out on your own and sometimes it's nice to have some unexpected company.  Someone else had the same idea, and this is becoming a bit of a habit.

Hywel was unloading his kayak at the Captains Wife heading out for the same destination.  The conditions were perfect for a relaxing paddle out to the island.  We round the island and land briefly under the farm house on the south beach.  In the sun we bathe in the tranquillity of the island gazing over the mainland just a short distance away.  It's the perfect was to escape from it all and unwind.

We can't stay for long though, the tide is turning and it's time to return and re-join the madness.  We pass the Wolves buoy and negotiate a large container ship making it's way down the channel.

Of all the times I've crossed this shipping lane this is probably one of the closest passes I've made.  

Hywel offers to buy me a pint in the Captain Wife on our return, which reminds me I should return the offer on the next trip.  Back in work in the morning but feeling much more refreshed, just what the doctor ordered.

First Signs Of Spring

A large area of high pressure finally arrived at British shores bringing sun and light winds.  This would be my first paddle and exercise of any sort since my collapsed lung a month ago.  A relatively relaxed paddle out to Steep Holm is just what the doctor ordered.  What initially started off as just the two of us turned into quite a gathering.  In all there was myself, Elan, Jules, Taran, Gareth, Evans, Chris, Andrew and John.  We headed out to Steep Holm for lunch on the beach before returning via Flat Holm.

Holm of the Demo Fleet

There was to be a brief break in the winter storms this Saturday, an area of high pressure was set to pass over the country and gone tomorrow.  High water was around 1500 so I teamed up with Elan and Jules for a short afternoon paddle out to Flat Holm Island.

Elan was bringing the boats today, kindly supplied by Up & Under Outdoors Cardiff.  We had two Tidraces, the Xcape and XPlore, and a Valley Etain, which I paddled on the way out.

Arriving on Flat Holm On a sunny winters afternoon.  We took our break up by the lighthouse with the two wardens currently looking after the Island.  

Views over Cardiff.

On the return trip I swapped with Jules to paddle the Xcape.

 The sun went down just as we reached Sully Island so I got to make good use of my new camera.

Verdicts on the boats: Firstly it was nice to paddle two very shiny well made boats.  Mine has seen it's fair share of knocks and scrapes.  It was also nice paddling two boats that were more suited to my build, my boat is probably more suited to the larger paddler.    

I paddled the Etain on the outbound journey, a boat I have paddled briefly before.  The manoeuvrability of this boat combined with the secondary stability is great.  We hit a patch of rough patch of spikey water around the far reaches of the island and the boat was happy to sit in it completely comfortable I wasn't going to be tipped in an unfamiliar boat.  A great expedition boat which is manoeuvrable and stable.

On the return trip I paddle the Xcape.  The first thing I noticed sitting down in the seat was the snugness of the cockpit.  The seat wasn't quite as comfy as the Etain but it felt like the boat was part of you.  Out of the Tidreace line this boat is geared more toward the novice.  It is very very stable, great for getting the SLR out of the dry bag.  What it had in stability however it lacked in excitement for me.  It does what it says on the tin, a great safe option, reliable, stable and a good boat for chewing up the miles.  It would be nice to compare it to it's more playful brothers.   

If you would like to try out any of the boats seen here, they are available for demo at http://www.upandunder.co.uk/ 

Autumn Paddles

I've not posted for a while and haven't done much paddling either.  Since my last post we've welcomed a new baby into the world, Alfie Yendle.   I've also been training for a new job and I've finally treated myself to a new SLR camera which has kept me busy on land.

I have however managed to tag along on some local paddles to keep my blades wet and my head sane.  I have a Christmas paddle to write up next and a round up of the last 12 months.  I wont be paddling now until the new year so happy new year to everyone and a belated merry Christmas.

Here is a short selection of pictures from the previous months, thanks for the company everyone who came along and hopefully see you on the water very soon...  

13th October 2013 - Llantwit Major to Ogmore-by-Sea

25th November 2013 - Flat Holm from Sully

1st December 2013 - Llantwit Major to Tusker Rock and return

Simon's Welcome Home - The Final Paddle

We found Simon where we left him in the Captains Wife car park Sully for the final leg of his expedition around Wales.  Today we would be paddling out to Flat Holm before finishing up at Cardiff Bay later that evening.  Jim and Chris were also joining up for the Flat Holm paddle while a few others would be meeting us on the other side of Cardiff barrage.

The sun was still out for this final leg but the wind had picked up.  We also had a long muddy walk to the waters edge.

Once on the water it was obvious this was going to be a bumpy ride.

The overfall's over the Wolves rocks picked up some impressive waves with the shallower waters.

We were making slow progress not helped by the conditions and for the first time missed the island and had to paddle back into the lea of the island to make the beach.

We only had time for a quick stop before making our way onto Cardiff bay.

The usual races picked up some choppy water in the windy conditions but in all it was an easier crossing than the first.

Two ships made a close pass, possibly the same one judging by the pictures.

Photo by Jim of me playing  a game of chicken with one of the ships near Penarth.  I won he turned first.

There was a bit of activity on top of the barrage as we closed the gap.  

A photo of me by Mike from the barrage.

Chris, Derek, Sean, Taran and Mike had all come along to meet us on the other side of the barrage for the final leg into Mermaid Quay.

After a bit of faffing, phone calls, emails and a 'risk assessment meeting' the barrage had given us permission to come through the barrage.  Chris Williams had also come out with his boat to see us through the gates.

In we go.

Top to bottom, Jim, Chris, Me and Simon.

Out of the barrage gates Taran, Mike, Chris and Derek were waiting with a bottle of bubbly to congratulate Simon on his efforts.

Passing the champaign around, photo by Derek.

Pepper, Mikes dog also came along for the ride.

Mike and Pepper.

Approaching Mermaid Quay we could make out the crowds of people waiting for Simon to the sound track of his brothers band playing on the quay.

We paddled in in fashion with Simon at the head.

The atmosphere and cheering plucked a chord in everyone's hearts out on the water as we watched Simon climb ashore to hugs and handshakes from friends and family.   

Mike captured the scene with this short video.

We climbed ashore to join the party, while Chris climbed up in his usual fashion.

Out boats were securely locked up thanks to the Cardiff Aqua bus allowing us to use their pontoon.

Simon's brother Stephen fronted the band playing on the quay and Simon's Sister Kelly made all us paddlers some food, washed down with a couple of pints to celebrate Simon's achievement.

Left to right, Chris, Mike, Pepper (the dog), James, Me, Simon and Taran.

We had to eventually make our way home however and leave Simon to carry on the celebrations with his close family and friends.  As soon as Jim could find the change for the parking that was...how much is it for two boats in Cardiff city centre these days?

Congratulations to Simon for his amazing achievement, it was a bit of an emotional night had by all and I was honoured to share a part of it with you.

You can read more information about Simon's adventure here... WalesOnline and donate here... Simon's Just Giving Page