St Brides Bay

Some nice weather arrived early spring for a gathering at St Brides Bay Pembrokeshire.  After meeting up with Andrew, Tori and Mo at Martins Haven we leave a couple of cars there and head on up the coast to Newgale to meet the rest of the gang, Paul, Sean, Katie and Gareth.  

We push off from the fossilised remains of an ancient forest, recently resurrected by the harsh winter storms at Newgale.  Ice cold surf breaking over the bow refreshes the senses and reminds that despite the sunshine it's still early in the year.

We paddle on south blinded by the sun keeping a relatively safe distance from the crumbling millstone grit  and shale cliffs where rogue waves catch us off guard.

Above, Sean paddling past the huge sandstone Monoclinal fold formation known as Sleek Rock just before Broad Haven bellow.

We land through the shallow waves at Little Haven finding a seat in the sun for lunch.

 Above left to right, Katie, Me, Paul and Gareth and bellow, Me Paul Tori and Gareth.

 Bellow all the gang sat around for lunch from left to right, Gareth, Andrew, Sean, Paul Tori and Katie.

Today I had the pleasure in borrowing Mike Bells (Cedar Boats Europe) carbon fibre Greenland splits.  In the slightly choppy conditions they remained on the deck after my first taster near Newgale, but from here on in I stuck with them and finally gained a fondness for the Greenland ways.  As for build quality, Mike's attention to detail make these paddles structurally and aesthetically pleasing.  

From Little Haven we take a slight de-tore off shore to Stack Rocks.

 Katie having a quick go of Mike's paddles and a chance for me to take a photo of them in use.

Back closer to shore we stay close to the Old Red Sandstone cliffs where the shallows provide a playground of gullies and obstacles to paddle around.

We take another brief stop at St Brides Haven where we get the chance to rummage through Sean and Mo's repair kits to make best of what we could of my broken footrest.

Cable ties and duck tape are a kayakers best tools, job done.

Back on the water we leave the security of the shore once more to cross directly over to Martins Haven.  I decide to pick up the pace here to see what these Greenland paddles are capable of and soon find myself and Andrew had quickly left the remainder of the group behind.

We settle in at our final destination at Martins Haven and wait for the rest of the group to arrive.  A bull seal plays hide and seek close to shore whenever I lifted a finger on the camera shutter.

Katie, Tori and Paul paddle into the beach and Gareth, Sean and Mo set off around the corner for a quick adrenaline fix on the Jack Sound tidal race.  

We pack up the two vehicles and head back up the road north to Newgale where our day began for the remaining cars.  The sun sets over the not to distant Ramsey Island in the west bringing a close to yet another great day on the water, thanks for the company all.

Back in the Wild West

I have left it too long to get back out to the west of the country.  I had a job on in Camarthern Friday so it wasn't to much of a drive before I was parked up along side Taran at St Brides Haven.  The forecast for the weekend wasn't looking promising however, between force 4-6 with gusts and a 3m swell with spring tides.

We were up for an early start, playing it safe we though we would stay in St Brides Bay aiming to go from Solva back to St Brides Haven.  taran had a quick roll to get him in the mood. 

 I should probably explain that thing on my head.  It seems bandanas are the fashion with a few kayakers, so I dug out this old Bonjovi one I had from my first ever gig year and years ago.  Even though it makes me look like a complete arse and would probably be fitting with an eye patch, it works.

 We head out of a calm flat bay wondering what lay around the corner of the natural harbour.

We approached Black Rock marking the entrance to Solva harbour seeing that the conditions looked quite big.

A big wave approaches almost completely submerging Black Rock.  It was quite comical we both just turned around...I don't think so.  My VHF has had enough use a couple of weeks ago.
We drive by Broad Haven shortening the trip, maybe we could punch though the surf.  It never looks that big until you sit on the floor!

Looking at some of those waves we decide to play it safe again.  Even if we did manage to punch through the breakers there would be no coming back if it turns out rough on the other side.  We could both do with the surf practise anyway.

Some cracking pictures, thanks Taran.

Packing up the vans in the car park I meet Marcus who has commented on my blog previously and been meaning to join us for a paddle locally.  A convoy of cars with kayaks then passes by, I wounder where they're heading.

We drive back to St Brides Bay for a third attempt of making something of the day where we catch up with Bath Canoe Club and Sea Kayak Guides who are based in St Davids.  They kindly offered us to join them for a night on Skomer.  We decided to join them but paddle back later.

Punching though the surf at St Brides Haven I take a big wave just as it breaks full force in the chest...ouch! timed that one wrong.  The swell was pretty impressive out of the bay sending clouds of spray up as it crashed into the red sandstone cliffs.

It was a nice experience being surrounded by another 14 paddlers, some nice boats too.

That was until someone recognised 'Mayday Stuart'.  Not bad twice in one day.

Approaching Musselwick Sands the conditions turned perfect.  I was a bit anxious about landing in the surf with an audience, although it seems I wasn't the only one as a few tumbled over.

I managed to pull it off, best landing yet!

Carrying on our trip hugging the cliffs looking out for every rock hopping opportunity.

The wind picked up as we rounded Wooltack Point crossing over Jack Sound.  The tide had just about turned, I couldn't help thinking what it would be like in half hour or so after it had time to pick up momentum.

The first rafts of Puffins were soon spotted once we were over the sound.  No chance of getting close though with a convoy of 15 paddlers.

We paddled into North Haven, the sounds of seals basking on the rocks signaling our arrival.

A few curious heads pop up to investigate.

We land on the beach for a quick break and exchange thanks and farewells.  Would anyone notice if I just slid off with the Alaw Bach parked up next to my boat?  Boat envy is a terrible thing, I'll get one some day.

We were followed from North Haven almost all the way back by a couple of playful seals trying to touch the sterns of our boats.  I finally managed to snap a shot at one as she surfaced.  Mid crossing we spotted some fins in the distance, a pod of three or four porpoises maybe.  Then another just ahead.  I reach for the camera and it popped up alongside my boat within reaching distance.  Amazing, and unusual for a Porpoise to get so close.

Its still a little lumpy as we cross straight over to St Brides Haven but the swell was nothing that it was earlier.  A few Gannets fly overhead but no good shots unfortunately.

We land and dry our kit in the last of the days sun, Taran cooks up some nice jacket potatoes in his van for dinner.  A slow start to the day but couldn't have asked for ending.  Thanks again to Bath Canoe Club and Sea Kayak Tours for letting us tag along for a great adventure.