Holidays

A few days off work beckoned.  I joined the family mid week who were already at Fishguard, West Wales. 

On arrival I shot up the road to Strumble Head to check out the conditions.  The race in the background of this picture was very impressive.  A strong northerly wind and big swells I was mesmerized at it's power and so glad I wasn't down there.

I followed the coastal path for a few miles to take in the fantastic scenery.

This was only my second time to Stumble Head.  The last time was a couple of weeks ago down on the water.

I was tempted to wait around for the 'twilight' pictures but promised I'd be back for the kids club at the holiday park.

After a day spent with the kids in the rain the sun finally made an appearance late afternoon.  We all went down to Pwllgwaelod and while the kids paddled in the shallows I had a play in the waves.

Further out the swells were fairly massive and with the onshore wind made for some intimidating water.  I caught a few good waves then made my way back to Fishguard.

As this was the only full day I was here I stopped off at Fishguard Old harbor for a quick paddle in the last of the light.  Again further out in open waters the swell and wind made for some choppy water.   

I did a little rock hopping between the sets...

And a little exploring.

Then just took in the fantastic views.

Friday and my short stay comes to an end.  The rest of the family head home early but I wasn't in a rush.  So me and my little boy Zakk headed back up to Strumble Head for a walk along the coast path.

Strumble light house.

 Zakk taking the awkward way over every gate.

We got out the rug and Zakk had a play with his toys while I sat back and took in the stunning scenery.  Not much paddling but who cares I had a great time.

Chasing Horizons - Paddling North Pembrokeshire

FRIDAY 23rd MARCH 2012

A trip to Pembrokshire has been well overdue so it would seem silly not to take advantage of the unusually hot weather for the time of year.  I had arranged to meet Taran at Dale, Milford Haven in south Pembrokeshire, the plan was to drive the one van up north to Fishguard and paddle back over the two days. 

I couldn't wait to get on my way and arrived about two hours before Taran.  I made use of the time and took to the water.

There was a little swell entering the huge port of Milford Haven so I had a little play rock hoping along some of the cliffs.

Heading back toward the beach I could see Taran hadn't arrived yet so I set off again exploring the surrounding waters.

SATURDAY 24th MARCH 2012

It was dark by the time we arrived at Pwllgwaelod on Dinas Head so spent the night in Tarans camper.

Morning arrived and the conditions looked promising.  The forecast came over the radio before we left, force 3-5, 6 at times, moderate seas.  Time of departure 8am, three hours before the turn of the tide, which meant we would have to round Strumble Head against the flow.  

The south easterly wind certainly became evident when we left the shelter of the bay.  We crossed straight over Fishguard Bay arriving on the other side flying along over 7 knots into a fast flowing counter eddy that runs along Pen Anglas head. 

Dramatic steep cliffs and rugged headlands finally give way to a view of Strumble Head lighthouse.  We pass through the inner island under the lighthouse access bridge and come across our first taste of rough water for the trip.

Looking back on Strumble Head.

Rounding Strumble Head our destined targets came into view on the horizon revealing the scale of our trip today.

After linking successive headlands with a mix of calm and rough water we take our first stop at Abercastle, a small sheltered fishing harbor.

Leaving the harbor we take a brief moment to explore some of the caves at the harbor entrance...

 ...before setting off again, chasing the horizon.

Each headland brings it's own dramatic natural architecture.

On the open water between headlands we were often joined by Fulmars, beautiful birds and experts on the wing, gliding effortlessly inches off the water around our boats. 

Huge swells role in from the Irish Sea, ramping high up the cliffs.  

Passing the old quarry building atop of Abereiddi one of the towering swells randomly breaks way off shore on our line of pass.  That was enough to intimidate me in this unknown territory.  Amusing as it was it would have cleanly wiped us out had we been ahead of ourselves.

We study the maps and take advantage of a last possible landing before rounding St Davids Head.  After all the tide was at full flow and it can get absolutely huge off the head, especially as it was wind on tide.

Taran taking a moment to bask in the unusually hot sun.

The scenery along this stretch is dramatic to say the least.  Huge cliffs rise steeply out of the water, my pictures don't do it justice.

Our speed picks up as we near St Davids Head.  I'm sure I spot a fin some distance up ahead, but then put it down to my imagination, must have been a wave.

Then alongside a Porpoise (relative of the Dolphin) breaks the surface breathing out a spray of air.  Then another and another, a pod of Porpoise, wow.  This poor effort was the best I could capture on camera.

Picture by Taran
We round St Davids head, the water spikes up a bit but on known territory now we feel at ease it wasn't big today.

After a brief meeting with another group of kayakers we take advantage of another safe landing at Porthmelgan.

Time presses on and we need to get through Ramsey sound before the tide turns at 16:00.  We head straight across Whitesnds Bay, past the jagged rocks of Carreg-gafeiliog and into Ramsey Sound.

We enjoy the calm waters sheltered in the narrow sound.

Rounding the end of the sound we paddle out into the exposed south facing side of St Brides Bay.  Swell and wind create some confused water along this stretch and we hope to take a short cut through the island of  Carreg yr Esgob.  Moments after this picture above a huge swell smashes side on through this small gap forcing us to take the long route around the island.

Exposed to the huge swells we paddle through some of the roughest water of the trip.

We were both glad to finally make it through to the sheltered waters of Porth Clais on the northern end of St Brides Bay, our camp for the night.

We were both looking forward to setting camp and getting out of our wet kit and into some clean dry clothes.  Sadly my dry bag with my clothes in had let in the small amount of water that had come through my hatch , but was enough to completely soak all of my clothes.  I tried to dry what I could with my gas stove to no avail and ending up spending the night in my damp clothes I wore under my dry suite.

Camp at Porth Clais

26.10 nautical miles (48km/30miles)

Total time 8:43:22

Moving time 07:40:32

Stopped time 01:02:50

Moving average 3.4 kts

Max speed 8 kts

Glam Boaters Weekend

SATURDAY 20th AUGUST

I haven't been to the club for quite some time now but I decided to join up with Taran and the rest of the gang in Pembrokeshire.  I arrived at Newgale camp site early Saturday morning, it was wet and windy, typical Glam Boaters trip weather.  There was a strong southerly force 5-6 wind blowing so the decision was made to head on up to Newport sands out of the face of the wind.

The sea state of the sea looked much more slight up here, still gusty but much flatter.  Dinas Head was barely visible through the rain and low cloud.  The group consisted mainly of novices some not yet ventured out on to the sea before today.  The plan was to head along the cliffs of Dinas Head taking in some caves and rock hopping.

We launched from Parrog, which previously served as an active port which supported the shipbuilding industry during the 19th Century.   The old port dries out at low water but it is possible to paddle or walk your boat up through the shallow stream.

 There was a mix of sea boats and shorter river boats, Richard here is in Tarans old Piranha.

Before long we were at the foot of the cliffs making use of the swelling conditions.  Andrew the club founder and coach teamed me and Taran up with a group each to lead through the caves and rocks. 

Taran who is currently doing his coaching qualifications and in the process of starting a kayaking tours business was more at home with this.  I don't think I am one of those people who are 'leaders', I wouldn't say I was one who 'follows' either.  I just like to get on with my own thing.  Don't get me wrong, I love helping out help out I'm just not a very vocal person. 

Before long the decision is made to turn back, which was a shame as this has to be one of my favorite trips rounding Dinas Head. 

We land on a small shingle beach for some lunch and take a rest.

Nearing what is now a wide expansive beach the surf could be seen from quite a distance.  On the approach the surf looked quite big with the wind whipping off the tops of the crests.  I was one of the first to make my way in, mainly to get it over with and so there wouldn't be anyone on the beach watching me when I go tits up.  Anyone who's read my blog before knows I'm not a fan of surf.

I wasn't alone, most paddles have never paddled on the sea yet alone landed in surf.  Even through the waves were quite big it wasn't as bad as it looked.  Everyone managed to make it through unscathed simply letting the waves pass under the boats.

In fact we all enjoyed it so much we all spent the next hour playing in the waves.  

Everyone drags their boats in on the beach as a rainbow appears above their heads.  We're all exhausted by now.

It's a long walk back to the cars but shortened some what by the stream for the final leg.

SUNDAY 21st AUGUST

Another day and the sun is out and the conditions seem to have lightened a little, F3-4 south westerly.  We make our way to Solva where it is buzzing with people and kayaks.  The wind blows up the narrow harbour channel which doesn't vouch much for the conditions on the other side.

Big swells and blowing winds at the mouth of the harbour.  After a look into the caves inside the protection of the natural harbour I was quite looking forward to the tasty conditions.

We take the group around Black Rock that marks the entrance to the harbour and under the cliff on the far side of the harbour out of the wind.  I was hoping we would at least get the group out to the Scars or even just around the corner and through the arch we visited a couple of weeks ago.

It was decided it was best not to risk an all in rescue with so many novices so we pondered around the harbour in an out of the caves before landing on the pebble beach at the far end. 

I was itching to get out an do some paddling so I ventured out of the harbour and around the cliffs to either side of the entrance while the group sat and had some lunch on the beach.  I was tempted top paddle back to the camp site at Newgale on my own but didn't fancy the surf landing.  Oh well Scotland to the Isle of Skye in a couple of weeks so I'm sure I'll get enough paddling done then.