Something fresh

Sunday 8th August 2010

Abercasle to Porthgain

The weather had really settled now, and we decided to go up the coast a little and do a new paddle in a new stretch of coast.
So as not to require a two car ferry, I put a bike on the back of the car. We first drove to Abercastle and dropped off the boats and the gear, then I drove to Porthgain and parked the car. I then rode back to Abercastle, and found out just how hot the sun was getting.

Abercastle at low water, a bit of a hike down from the car park. Brilliant sunshine though, and flat calm with hardly any swell

We had a little warm up paddle around the bay.

Then as we left, we went North-East for a look at what appeared to be a lot of very small islands or rocks.

We wern't to be disapointed, there were lots of rock islands. But the one thing we noticed here was, it seemed desolate, with no-one around, not even on the cliff path, that and loads of birds feathers floating in amongst the rocks.

Looking North, Penbwchdy is the West-most headland.

Still going East the coastline just seemed to more and more rugged and empty.

There were a couple of caves around here, but nothing to speak of.

Turning back towards our intended direction, the headland of Ynys Deullyn with its spike centre piece. Would we get through or have to go around?

Just look at the lovely glassy sea, the weather couldn't have been more perfect for this trip.

Around Ynys Deullyn, and into Pwll Whiting. There were numerous cave to explore here, the prevailing wind would blow straight in here during the winter.

Most of the caves didn't go back very far but they were still impressive.

These cliffs were high, very high its hard to pick out, but it looks like they're on the 50m contour on the map.

Spikey rocks, sea caves and archs galore.

Around the next head, and we get out onto the beach at Pwll Olfa.

Tiny sea snails!

It looked as though this beach gets a right old battering in the winter storms, the amount of rubbish at the back was unbeleivable.

This cave just around the tip of Trwyn Llwyd was amazing, it really opened up once inside, and even had skylights letting in shafts of sunlight.

Into Aber Draw next, and we see some signs of life, a few kids and there families, and a group of 3 kayakershaving lunch.

This tunnel needed more water and perhaps a helmet to pass safely, the spikes protruding from the roof looked painfull.

We made our way to Ynys-Fach, and found we couldn't get through between the rock island and the mainland.

This was why! This beach must get breached at some times through the winters

We paddled through this tunnel a few times, quite narrow at one end, it took some skill to get through without hitting the sides.

Then, we saw the two marker beacons showing the entrance to Porthgain.

For some reason we didn't get any more pictures, but after battleing for a landing on the slipway with sit on top paddlers we got to enjoy a cool pint at the Sloop.

A cracking paddle in perfect conditions, will have to do a there and back one day and see how it goes.