St Brides Haven, Pembrokeshire

After doing the fatherly duties in the morning by taking
the kids swimming I left for West Wales just after lunch to
avoid the rush hour traffic. The plan was to head for St Brides
Haven camp the night and head out to Skomer and Skokholm
Islands in the morning. A short two hour drive later and I
unloaded the car and headed out for an afternoon paddle.



The tide was at high water slack so I set off out of the bay
toward Stack Rocks. I didn't want to do anything to strenuous
just a short paddle to get in the mood and wait for the sun to
go down before I pitched the tent. There were a few divers
exploring the reefs of the shallow bay as I made my way out.

I couldn't have asked for better weather the sea was completely
flat and calm. I couldn't believe the colour on the water
so I took a picture...

As I approached the rocks I could see more buoys which I

assumed were more divers. I could see one bobbing about

on the surface. It wasn't until I got closer that I realised it

was a seal.

I made my way around the rock and as I came around a

small outcrop I spotted this seal lounging on a rock unaware

of my presence.

He/she?? seemed to have a bit of fishing rope tangled around his

neck but didn't seem to be causing him any harm as he relaxed

in the dimming sun.

He spotted me but didn't seemed bothered about me being

there.

A couple of oyster catchers (please correct me if I'm wrong).

As soon as you get any closer they fly off! A long lens would

be amazing out here.

Not quite big enough to fit a boat through.

You would be lucky to get a shot of one or two Shags back

home!

On completing my lap around the rocks I headed back to

the mainland to Howney Stone.

I hand railed around the shore line and landed on a small

bay called Musselwick just around the corner from Broad Haven.

Natives were friendly!

Ramsey and St Davids in the distance.

I left Musslewick and retraced my footsteps back along the

coast.

Looking back at Stack Rocks from Howney Stone.

The red sandstone cliffs.

The sun was slowly fading as I got back so was time to

get the tent out. A 7.5 nm trip about 14km.

I wasn't to familiar with this stretch of coastline and didn't

know where I could camp, so I pinched this spot from

Richards blog, thanks Richard.

Perfect, curry on the go and a nice cold Beer to end the day.

Can't wait until tomorrow!

Surf'sUp!!!

After a few too many Guinness last night I knocked the idea
of getting up at 6am to go out to Steep Holm on the head.
I didn't know where else to go so I decided to face my fears
and practice my surf skills. These pictures are thanks to
my better half who froze her bits of with the kids on the beach.



First wave, brace let it carry my toward the beach, not so
bad, then it all went tits up and I smacked my head in the
shallow water. Helmet next time!

Beard gone for the summer now.

I didn't go too far out, some of them waves looked pretty
big. Well for me anyway. No so bad going over it's just
getting back.


I was practicing my bracing moves and letting the waves
bring me in rather than surfing. I had a couple of shots
at riding the waves but nothing to big. I bit of backward
surfing as well, dunno how that happened??

That'll do!

Was a really exciting afternoon and I think I'll feel a lot
more confident now going out into the surf. I'll take you
up on that offer Eurion, next time your down Southerndown
give us a shout.

Caving at Ogmore

I joined Mick for a trip down to Ogmore for a short paddle
along the cliffs toward Southerndown. I had only the morning
to spare and with high tide being at 9:18am we headed out
against the current from Newton Bay.

I finally got my new van this week after 3 long months of
trying to work out of my car, so I'd thought I'd show it off!



When I got there Mick was already down on the beach building
his boat.

The water couldn't get much calmer than this! Only a slight
ripple in the water differed it from the sky.



There was a slight swell, but it didn't break before it hit
the cliffs which made it quite safe to get up close. Where
the water was near the roof of some caves the change in
level blew the air out with some amazing force.

As we reached the small rocky outcrop, which I believe to

be known as castle rock in the climbing guide, we couldn't

resist the temptation to paddle between the gap.

On our return trip we went to go through again but had to

make a quick retreat as the tide had uncovered some

underlying rocks.

There was a lot more head room in this cave!

Backing into the cave.

This cave seemed to go on and on. You could here the swell

hitting the back wall but couldn't see that far in.

Back in for one more look.

A pair of lambs stranded up on the cliffs.
We did plan on paying Tusker Rock a visit on our return

trip but time was pressing on and as far as I could see it

wasn't even visible yet.

It was an easy paddle back gliding through what could have

been a lake at a steady 5kts. Great day out, cheers Mick.

I ended the day with a roll to get into practice. I've been

wussing out for ages because it's been so cold not that the

water was bubbling hot today!