Saturday 1st January 2011
After a few drinks on New Years Eve last night with a great crowd, I had slept soundly in the back of the car. Nowhere near as cold as last year, I managed to sleep until 945am!
Next up today was the obligatory dip in the sea! I had made the effort to get a fancy dress kit this year, and had dug out my Universal soldier gear out of the loft, complete with necklace of 'trophy' ears! To my surprise, I could only just fasten the velcro on the bullet proof jacket. How 10 years make a differance.
The intrepid bunch run into the icy water, and then steam around the fire and enjoy some tipples.
The water really was icy cold, and it served to remind me not to do anything daft this afternoon, whilst kayaking. I was alone for this trip.
Putting on a brave face. I had already made the decision to paddle from Porthclais back to Porthsele beach (weather permitting) before leaving home. I drove around in the car and launched at 1250pm, and with the Flood tide already having started on Neaps, it should be a gentle but easy trip.
Leaving Porthclais Harbour, I felt very alone, with no boats and just the odd coastle path hiker around. There was a very slight swell in the harbour that helped me launch off the beach, the water was still a fair walk from the car.
Leaving the safety of the harbour, I discovered that there was quite a swell, and over at Solva, the seemed to be some ominous looking clouds, rain, sleet snow maybe?
Looking in the direction I was heading it looked OK, I knew there was a Northerly gusty wind, but not too bad, and with the flood tide, it would not make the paddle up the Sound impossible, just a bit tiedious.
Approaching Carreg Fran, I could see there might be a need to go around instead of through. I made my way over, and discovered that, although there was a way through, the swell was making it a bit lively, and mindfull of being alone, I considered my options. i, Go through. ii, go around. iii, Turn around, go back.
In the end I watched the swell crashing through, and every now and then as normall, it seemed to level out for a minute or so, so I waited for it , and went through- no worries.
At the other side Porthlysgi looked desolate, the were some people throwing pebbles or something in the sea, I doubt they even saw me in the grey-ness.
The photo doesn't do justice, but the crashing waves around Carreg yr Esgob were worrying. Having now got to the point of heading into the sound, I could feel the wind blowing over land, and it had me thinking again......should I head back, or carry on?
I chose to carry on. Heading into the Sound I could see the flow was exactly what I was expecting, scarcly there at all. I paddled on.
Looking over to Ramsey, it looked tempting, so I set off fery gliding over towards Midland. I found there to be very little flow here so headed toward the Bitches.
Approaching them, I couldn't hear any white water, or see any tell tales. Allthough this is what has nade them so dangerous to shipping throughout the ages. You can't see anything from above, until its too late. Especially in a kayak.
Within 50m I could make out a little white water, and a swell every so often, I was still not being pulled in though, and was sure I could easily ferry glide acrooss to the end Bitch for a free ride down the sound
I headed on through, I was right, there was a small amount of standing waves, altering with the swell, but not too terrifying! I made sure I was sat nice and upright, and well braced in- just in case!
I just bobbed through, nice big sweepstroke and broke out toward the Ramsey harbour entrance, the counter-eddy here was strong and it carried me back up to the standing wave. I could have played, but felt it not so good an idea out here alone.
It was then I realised that my legs were shaking, cold maybe? No, it was me bracing so hard through the turbulant water I had just used all my energy! I opened the deck bag and grabbed some coffee and chocalate.
Looking back at the Bitches as I left, there was really nothing to be worried about here, it was nothing.
Looking across at St Justinians Lifeboat Station, I could make out the fast flowing water running up the Sound, and some white water, probably Horse Rock, although it should really bother me on these Low Neap Tides.
What I hadn't really noticed was in the distance at before St Johns Point, the overfalls looked to be massive, it was 'wind over tide' and as I sat and picked a couple of transit points I could feel the wind was stronger than the water flow now, it seemed to hold me.
With a bit of skeg deployed to balance the weather cocking, managed to pass straight across the Sound, and although it was lumpy and exiting through the overfalls, I hit dead on where I wanted to be - Just short of St Johns Point.
Passing between Carreg Garfielog and the headland was the usual slog. But I was glad to be heading to relative comfort.
Back at the deserted beach I had to pick my moment to land, as the re was a bit of surf building now and then.
Out of the water, and packed up, I realised I still had loads of daylight left, it wasn't going dark. Looking at my watch I realised I had really rushed around. Damn!
The deserted beach, the 300 mile journey home is ahead of me, but I'm glad I came - thouroughly enjoyed myself.
I needed to run back to Porthclais for the car before I could have a hot shower and head off home. I had placed my running shoes under an empty caravan, but didn't need them as I got as I got a lift from a thoroughly nice chap from next door to Pencarnan many Thanks to you, youknow who you are.
Unfortunately though, I have left the running shoes under the caravan! That has put my training for the local 10K run on hold!
Happy New Year to All, here's to an adventurous and enjoyable time at sea this year!
