Finally we meet!

 Saturday 6th August 2011

Solva to Porthsele with company

With Stuart and Taran having arrived late evening last night. We had got together in the pub and organised a trip from Solva, over to Ramsey and then back to Solva if the weather permitted.

Leaving the slip in Solva harbour, Taran was edging around. Does he start every trip with some skills practice?? Lol!

We went out of the harbour and left or East. This cave that narrowed into a tall exit was great.

Taran showed the way

Dad was next

My turn, it was well protected from the slight swell we had today.

We decided to go out and around Green  Scar, me and Dad havn't been around before, green scar looks like it should have lots of bird life, but seemed to be quite today.

Black scar had a seagull and a Shag, but little else.

Taran loves his rock hopping, I was missing the Aquanaut, I'd have been through there normally, but my new Tahe Reval was feeling great so no regrets.

Ready to head back toward Solva and then along West to get on with our explore.

We had a following wind as we paddled back, and it did feel awkward, almost as if we were not really moving, I had the gps on, and we were doing 6 MPH with normal paddling.

arch just outside Solva

It seemed a little strange paddling in a group, I never knew who to photograph, and found myself miles away from the subject most of the time.

Little, and large! Dad in the Tsunami 120 and Stuart in his full size Tahe Reval, Taran headed in and out of nearly every cove, inlet and beach.

This is my attempt at catching Taran running the shoot, this shot was just after he'd been washed up toward the rocks and then slid back down.

We pulled into Port Clais for a rest. All the way from here was a little choppy, and from Penpliediau I didn't get too many pictures, the wind had moved and was now in our faces. A bit of a slog.

Heading out of Porth clais we were all looking forward to getting on toward Ramsey sound

But first there would be one more playground to explore.

Taran with Jack Sound in the distance.

Arriving at the play area, Carreg Fran. At most states of tide its possible to pick your way through this jagged outcrop, today it was easy.

Everyone passed through, and saw the slanted arch at Carreg Yr Esgob.

The sea at the other side of the arch always looks rough but if you go around and look its never that bad.

Taran dons his helmet ready to give it a go.

Taran headed on through, no problems there.  

I followed Dad and Stuart through the channel to the other side.

 

I returned through the arch and got it spot on, managed to get through in full control with a couple of bow rudders and a nice long low brace.

Taran followed on, and said he'd not liked the look of doing it that way.

Looking pleased with himself.

Stuart and Dad came back through the way we went through.

Stuart had a brush with the rock here, but if you look just behind Dad in the distance, you can just see the swell that surfed him under the slanting rock on his left, causing him to capsize in the narrow shoot.

Taran went in for the rescue and Dad was back in his rather full boat in no time at all. Took about 5 mins to pump it all out. We said in colder weather or rougher seas it would have been quicker to re-capsize and X-rescue.

With Ynys Eilun in the back ground, and an suspect black cloud in the distance, Stuart was thinking we'd pass behind it. Looked good.

We headed to the South end of Ramsey Island, as we'd been in and out of all the coves and caves, we were a little close to slack water for much of a trip on the West side of the island. We were on the very last of the North Flood tide.

At Foel Fawr, we stopped to check which way the tide was running, I felt a very slight movement North.

With it being pupping season there were plenty of big bull seals around, and as usual they disapear as soon as I get the camera out! Just caught this one.

As soon as we passed through to the West side, we were greeted with wind, rain and much heavier seas. Tim from Venture Jet was in the big cave, and as soon as he left, we headed in for a bit of shelter.

In there were 6 or so seals of all sizes, some snorting and some being a bit more inquisitive.

We paddled out of the cave and up around Ynys Gwelltog, me and Stuart tried to go right around but it didn't go at this tide height.

Dad and Stuart came back to see how we'd got on, but we all had to turn back.

Back at Foel Fawr, the tide flow was slack and we went back through into Ramsey sound.

What a difference, the water flat, the sun was out and we were pretty much sheltered from the wind!

Heading for the chute cave into the Harbour on Ramsey.

Could have been a different day altogether.

Stuart and Taran headed down to the line of rocks 'The Bitches' - no flow meant it was possible to get up close to the infamous rocks.

Looking out of the tunnel cave 'chicken route' around the bitches

We went on Up through the sound and found the long cave through the head that is possible to get through at certain tides. Me and Dad got through, and met Stuart at the other end for another go around.

Myself, Stuart and Dad going for another go, it was very nice in there, I made a video but it will not load here or onto you tube for some reason.

Stuart and Dad head in again.

Taran, who had been floating gently up the sound sorting his GPS out

We picked our way up Ramsey Island until we ran out of land, and then headed across to St Johns Point. Or rather, we ferried across. With the South flowing ebb now building and a pretty constant wind pushing us from the South, we just aimed at the point and paddled.

I noticed how tired we all looked (and felt).

Nearing Porthsele beach. We had allsorts of seas and wind, rain and sun between here and St Johns. Wind had increased the overfalls off the point, and the where afew standing waves to play in.

We were origonally going to drop Dad off here, and then go back the way we came. With that Southerly wind it would be a slog, so we offered Taran and Stuart a cuppa up at the caravan and a lift back to Solva.

Carn Llidi, I will never get tired off the veiw.

We all arrived safely, but somewhat worn, just the carry up to the caravan now then!

We do this trip every year, and it always wears us out. Today was no exception!

My GPS had recorded 16.3 miles, we went in and out of almost every cove and inlet, it was amazing to experience the contrast of weather and sea on the West side of Ramsey.

Thanks for the company guys! We need to get together more often.