Great British weather!!!

Once again I was all packed up with the promise of a force

2, light NE wind and good visibility and I was met with this!

Visibility was terrible and there was a hefty dumping swell.

I could see 5 sets of 1.5-2m steep waves before they disappeared

into the mist. Desperate but not that desperate.

My youngest son Zakk laughing at the crashing waves.

The wife was off to Cardiff Bay to do some shopping so I

thought I might as well go down the bay (again!) seeing as

I had the boat all packed up.

And I Finally got to play with my new toy.

I took the following photo's a few weeks ago when we had

the big freeze. Me and the dog went for a walk along the

coastal path from Llantwit to Nash Point light house.

I was gutted when I saw how peaceful the sea was.

Icicles on the cliffs near St Donnats castle.

One of the caves between Llantwit and St Donnats which I was

hoping to paddle in today.

Looking East toward Llantwit and Aberthaw with the cooling

tank just visible

Nash Point light house

Introduction to River Paddling

Myself and a few other new members of Glam Boaters
went for a gentle introductory paddle down the River Taff.
Having ever only paddled in my 15ft sea boat the hardest
thing was to paddle in a straight line!

We launched near the Pottery pub in Trefforest.

One of the coaches Nik showing us how it's done

We paddled back to the cars at Radyr Weir. Only a short

trip but really enjoyed myself.

Wasted Jouney

I had the day off work so made my way down to Swansea.
The water from the pool session on Wednesday was frozen
in my hatches and the cover was coated in a thin layer of snow.
It was absolutely boltic!

I parked up near the Mumbles aiming to make my way
Westward with the ebb. Paid £4 parking loaded my kayak
and hopped over the sand dunes to be welcomed by a very
wind swept beach. I battled my way down to the shore
walking at an almost 45 degree angle. Not even half way there
I could see there was no chance I was getting in. I couldn't keep
the boat straight on land yet alone in the water.



Not to completely waste the journey I made my way around
the headland to Langland bay which seemed far more settled.
Plus I was able to use the same parking ticket, bargain!



Paddling just out from the bay the wind gust around the
headland making it almost impossible to paddle in the
direction I wanted to go. So I stayed in the shelter of the
bay and had a play about with the surf around the small
rocky island just off the beach.

Llantwit Major to Sully Island 12/12/09

Llantwit Major beach

Being frustrated with the weather lately I decided to take
advantage of the 'not so bad' conditions. Forecast was clear,
force 4/5 possible 7 later and an Easterly wind. I launched
from a deserted Llantwit Major beach at 7:30 am to make
the most of the East flowing flood.




Sun Rise just off Llantwi beach




Looking back toward Llantwit on my progress

I made a bee-line for the water intake tank just off Aberthaw.


Rhoose Point

As I approached Aberthaw the condition turned very rough.
I wondered if this was the case for the rest of the trip and
contemplated turning back. The front of my boat spent most
of the time burred in the waves whilst I had a face full of salt
water. Hence no pictures!


Looking back toward Aberthaw Power Station and Fontagary
Caravan Park up on the cliff


Looking on to my first stop, The Knap Barry


Porthkarry Viaduct

The Knap

It was here I realised I had left my drink bottle and pack lunch

in the van!! Idiot!

Marker off Friars Point, Barry

Barry Pleasure Beach

Barry pilot boat entering Barry Docks

When I stopped to take this photo I was between the

breakwater entrance, thats how much the wind was blowing

me back. (plus I was faffing with the camera!)

Breakwater light

Flat Holm not looking to far away, maybe next time!

I'm guessing this is some sort of statical recording buoy?

If anyone knows let me know.

Sully Island, shall I carry on or land???

I did intend to carry on as far as Penarth and Cardiff

Bay but with a lack of food or drink I felt it was wise to stop.

Even though I was going with the tide I was also paddling into

the wind and once I stopped that was it.

Pub at last! Come on Missus pick me up I'm freezing!

Sully Island

I had a fairly calm trip. I hugged the bays most the way which

seemed to shelter me from the wind but as soon as I went

around any headland I took a battering.

Total trip approximately 12 nautical miles or 22 kilometers.

Photo's

Aberthaw at sundown

Ogmore by Sea



Llantwit Major Beach 05/12/09