A Perfect Sunny Sunday Afternoon

Back on home waters the plan was to simply paddle out on the last two hours of the ebb to Steep Holm and return on the commencing flood.  Forecast looked good, mid way between spring and neap tides.  I met up with Taran at the busy Penarth waterfront.

Straight on the water and I cool down with a quick role, it seems summer has already arrived.  Traffic jams, no parking, beaches flooded with sun seekers and waters crammed with speed boats.  I couldn't wait to get far out in the channel.

Taran mentioned how he almost went to Monkstone the other day and peering out at the loan structure it looked tempting to try.  We paddled out to the Cardiff shipping buoy, progress was slow paddling almost directly into the flow.

As we made our way further out we noticed a dark band just under the horizon, Cardiff ground maybe. 

We made an unexpected landing on Cardiff grounds.

A further 20 minute paddle in mirror like seas and a final push against the flow of the tide brought us under the towering Monskstone lighthouse.

There was just enough rock exposed to make a landing.  I never thought I would get out here at low water, especially from Penarth.  This is turning out to be a brilliant paddle.

The tide was still ebbing at a strong pace.

Where's Taran got too? I'm sure I saw him land behind me...

Half way up the tower!

The remains of a previous light? Foundations used in the build? who knows.

These little Turnstones weren't bothered by our presence, they had found the perfect little feeding ground.

Back into the flow we headed on to our original destination.

We were calling it close getting to Steep Holm before the tide turned.

Landing at a different place to usual gave us the opportunity to access the upper heights of the island without clambering an iron gate.  We didn't venture far though with the boats precariously balanced on two rocks just above the rising waters.

With the turn of the tide we made our way around Rudder Rock and on to our forth destination, Flat Holm.

The waters were unbelievably calm, playing with the eye, unable to make out where the water ended and where the sky began.  Small creases in the otherwise flat water pushed us along in sets of three or four unnaturally steep waves in the silk like surface.

Sounds of music echoed across the water probably from Weston Super Mare.  How nice it was being out here in the peacefulness of nature away from all the madness.

Taran was forever practising his edging...

Woops too far....sorry Taran I had to take a picture.  Perfect re-entry however.

We made another short stop this time on Flat Holm, if only so Taran could empty his boat.  A quick play in the small race of the west corner of the island, obviously nothing compared to my last visit, before making our way back to Penarth.

And as if this trip couldn't get any better the sun started to set...absolutely perfect.

We parted our separate ways just before landing, my van being half way up the hill.  Penarth lifeboat were just launching as I hauled my boat up the jeti.  I had a quick chat with one of the crew, apologising for calling them out a couple of weeks ago.

14.30 nautical miles in total.  A totally unexpected start to the trip made this one a trip to remember.  Absolutely perfect day on the water.

Back To The Bitches

Today's forecast was looking slightly better, S/SW force 3/4 and the swell seemed to have subsided.  There was a lot more cloud about though.  We parked my van at Porth Clais and drove on up to Whitesands.  The surf looked fairly big so we opted for a short paddle from St Justinian's.  Also saved us £4 on parking, robbery!

Ramsey Sound looked calm, I got the binoculars out to check out the other side.  All looked well.

 The wind was coming straight up the sound, a little height in the waves but nothing to worry about.  Worry I did though.  Taran didn't seem to mind but I know how this place can change.  A strong wind on tide, I didn't want to stay on the other side longer than needed.

 The jagged rocks of The Bitches loomed in the distance made ever more menacing with the grey sky.

 I was about to paddle through the cave when I noticed how fast the water was flowing through it.  It looked like a river and I wasn't sure if it would be possible to get back.  The water flowing through The Bitches looked timid enough but moving fast.
 The conditions further south toward Ynys Eilun looked rough, plenty of white water.  Rather than pass through the point of no return we opted to paddle back up to the North end of Ramsey against the flow and ferry glide back over.

 I paddled back behind the first Bitch to get a closer look, thinking again about going through the cave.

 Nice place for a role.  We must have been in a back eddy. We rafted up to exchange cameras and noticed we were moving against the flow fairly fast.

 Paddling north I noticed there was a little activity out in the sound.  Further North nearing Trwyn Ogof Hen we caught the overfall racing around the tip of the island.  Looking down at the GPS we were locked in the flow.  We aimed off toward St Johns Point and made our way through the fast flowing waters making a steady ferry-glide back to the mainland.

There was too much activity to explore the swell bound cliffs so we just made our way back in to St Justinians.

 Time for one last role for Taran and we made our way up the steep steeps back to the van.

A perfect little trip to end a great weekend in Pembrokeshire.  Considering the conditions I was pleased with the outcome, Skomer and Ramsey in one weekend, not to bad at all.  Best get back home and make a start on this new boat.

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.