600 mile round-trip

Out West with the boys

Sunday 25th March 2012

Having seen on facebook that Stuart & Taran were heading to Pembrokeshire this weekend, I was gutted to be so far away with such promising weather.
I made a last minute decision to drive down late on Saturday evening and meet up with them at Porthclais, where they had camped for the night they'd paddled down from Fishgaurd.
I left for the petrol station at 1930hrs and got going properly at 2000hrs. The first matrix sign on the motorway said roadworks on the M42, one on there said the M50 was closed from the M5, and another said the M49 was closed further on, not many options for going West, and I didnt fancy the cross country route.
After a little frantic route guessing and looking at the map on the phone, I made it to Porthclais feel ing surprisingly 'awake' at 0100ish, then I put the clocks forward! I set the alarm for 0650 and got in the sleeping bag - laying awake for another half hour or so before waking up just before the clock at 0645.
What a cracking morning, I set about putting on my paddling trousers and spotted Taran& Stuart heading over to the car - apparently they were going to give me a rather rude 'shakey- wakey' and capture it on film!

Perfect setting for a camp, although it looks very calm here, there was a strong wind, and a decent a decent swell. We made the decision to travel up to Dinas Head and find sheltered water.

Taran applies some err, 'lippy' before heading off from Pwllgwaelod beach.

The three of us.

 Photo with thanks to Mike

Having already 'bumped into Mike Mayberry and some trainees in a cafe at Fishgaurd, we met again on the beach.

What an amazing day! Leaving the beach for the journey ahead.

Taran - Constantly practicing skills! It'll all pay off one day!

There are a lot of caves and plenty of rock-hopping oppertunities around here, I've never made it this far up the coast before, but will definately return in the summer.

I'm not entirely sure what Taran is describing here! Maybe there plotting how to get rid of the Englishman who keeps following them! Lol!

Stuart was the first into this cave, I bet its massive at low water. At near enough High water it was big and wide.

Looking out, I never remeber to take my headtorch along when paddling - I going to make a mental note to get one packed away with my gear for the summer.

Needle Rock around the head, and the point where we decided to head straight across the 2 mile mouth of Newport bay.

It was a bit of a slog across with a quartering wind and some chop as we passed Newport itself.

We were now in search of the 'Witches Cauldron' a collapsed cave with a sea cave for an entrance revealing a beach at the back.

After a brief rest, and some chocoalte we were off on our search, heading North East along the coast.

A non-accesable cave, not the one we were on the lookout for though

The water is still very cold to touch, and there was a cool wind. Otherwise it could have been a summers day.

Just behind Taran is Dinas Head where we came from, and in the far distance - Strumble head, otherwise, not much between us and Ireland.

We didn't find the cave, we were getting firther and further along the coast, and although I felt reasonably fit, Stuart and Taran had done 35 miles fully laden yesterday!

Then whilst resting, a seal popped up for a look, then another, and then probably around 20 or so, all inquisitive.

I didn't manage a nice clear shot of one, but this was typical for the next 20mins or so.

Usual thing though...each time I saw one close up, I raised the camera and there would be a big splash as the seal disapeared.......

.....and heres the proof! I'm messing with the camera whilst the seal watches me!

Photo with thanks to Stuart

Another one dives away just behind Stuart.

Heading back, just prior to the return 2mile crossing. This time though, we got a nice assisted ride across with the ebbing flow.

Mindfull of the possibility of overfalls off Dinas Head, we broke out of the flow, and stayed under the massive cliffs.

There was a little rough water around the point, but nothing to write home about.

A couple of sit-on-tops followed us around here, everyone out enjoying the un-seasonable weather.

Toward the end of our journey, I had to take off the bandana, and don the wide brimmed hat - I must get myself some new shades for this summer!

Its just possible to make out the Irish Ferries boat heading out of Fishgaurd in the mist in the distance.

Looking in toward Pwllgwaelod, this place is idyllic, will definately come up for a day with Connor in the summer.

The obligatory kayak on the beach shot.

What a cracking day out.

Taran had to bare his chest (lol) toward the end of the journey due to a little chaffing problem, or maybe just for the pose!

Thankyou for letting me tag along guys - really enjoyed it.

Just the 289 mile return journey to do :(

Another one for the fleet

A new chapter in our 'outdoors' family

18th March 2012

After much disscussion & brain wracking, we finally decided on a 7th birthday present for Connor.

We finally found one at a good price at http://www.seakayakoban.com/

The guys at Sea kayak Oban were great, really helpfull, and just happened to be having a demo day at Aberdour just across the Forth Estuary meaning we could save a bit on travel.

It really was brand new! Still in the packaging

Connor uses a knife to cut off the packing tape.

All will be revealled! Its certainly lightweight, Connor can manoever it on land nicely.

The weather today couldn't have been better, cool, but the water was flat-calm with a little SE wind, but amazing hot hot hot sunshine. So sunny I couldnt open my eyes for a picture.

Maiden voyage!

Connor eager to have a quick try in his new boat. A Prijon Viper kids sea boat.

12' long, and scaled down to suit the smaller person.

I got him in, deck on, and he was off!

Wait for me!

Silversands - Aberdour, another gem of a place hidden away somewhere you'd never expect!

Today was really the first time Connor has used his 'proper' paddle having used the tiny two piece one up until now.

We found a sheltered bit of water in a corner of the bay and had a little practice at steering a long boat.

I had borrowed a Demo kayak, this one is a Plastic Northshore Atlantic LV, I really liked it, it felt quite sprightly. Very good initial stability, and it edged nicely.

After Connor was suitably worn out, I had a go in the Atlantic LV composite version. Much less initial stability, but wow! it turned and stopped on a sixpence! That was until I fell in! I fluffed my roll twice, and decided to bail out. The water is cold at this time of year.

A birthday treat.

Saturday 11th Febuary 2012

A biting wind

At the end of January I had my birthday, and I fancied a trip over to Angelsey for a celabratory paddle. The weather has not been in full support for the last couple of weekends, so I decided to try this one.

My Mums amazing cake making skills!

(Oh, and I was 40 aswell)

I left home and travelled West at 21:30 on Friday night. Arriving in Holyhead at about 1am I checked out the sea state at Porth Dafarch, I couldn't see much, but it didn't sound bad!

I drove down to Borthwen and bed down for the night in the back of the car.

So when I was awoken at 845am (lazy) with the car being buffeted by the wind, I was most dis-pleased.

Looking out to sea I could make out a mass of white-caps. and a gusting wind that whispered No-go today!

I went and got some breakfast, and decided to have a paddle on the 'inner sea' an almost land-locked area of water created by the Stanley Embankment and Four Mile Bridge - my starting point today.

Arriving at Four Mile Bridge, I found the RNLI flood recue team from Ireland practicing flood rescue techniques in the flow created by the flood tide blasting through the bridge arch.

Here is the Southside of the bridge, the water is being squeezed through the arch by the rising tide.

The resulting white foamy mess on the other side attracts all kinds.

The little engine on the boat was just enough to get over the 'stopper' and into the arch.

Finally on the water I found the white water to be a swirling mess, not really much fun to play in for me, but I had 1 or 2 near misses and got to practice a couple of support strokes!

WOW!

Just look at the difference in height of the water.

On with the paddle, looking ahead I could see all different views, fields, wooded areas and the big ugly chimmney stack from the former aluminium works.

The Stanley Embankment carries the A55 dual carriageway across the Northern end, along with the old embankment road and the railway.

Looking back at Four mile Bridge, you can just make out the water hieght difference through the arch.

I really enjoyed the next bit, it was like being in a valley, paddling on a river.

I saw all kinds of birds, a massive Hawk ( not sure what kind) circling above me.

What an amazing place to live! Just these two houses occupied the end of this inlet, just some grassy sand flats, loads of wildlife and some brightly coloured person in a kayak stuck in the middle.

I made a couple of videos of myself gliding through. If I stopped paddling and just sat still there was no immediate noise at all, just the sound of crashing surf beyond at Treardurr Bay

One common thing I notice a lot as I spend time in the great outdoors, is how we (mankind) always seem to have to build a wall - this one is actually in the water! In fairness, I think it was to keep the water from erroding the ground around the trees.

Over at Stanley embankment. This is the new bridge, it has a fairly big span, allowing water to surge through relatively un-restricted.

Sadly the old bridge did not feature such a wide opening, and thus creates the same standing waves and turbulent waters.

If a kayaker wants to circum-navigate Holyhead Island, you need to pass through both of these!

Now heading into the wind, I had to put on the poggies to keep my hands from getting numb.

Back at Four Mile Bridge I had a play in the white water. It seemed a little strange practicing S - turns in the sea boat, but did allow me to explore how the kayak works in the soupy stuff.

When I got out, I realised I had done the trip with the marker flag still attached from the car journey!

Off for beans and eggs on toast at a local cafe before the journey home.

A great alternative for a windy day, it'll be great to get Connor out on here in the summer.

Boxing day Raft race

Monday 26th December 2011

Old team back together!

After a few years of not doing this annual event, Graham & Chris were up for another go.
We used to do this every year, but with families and various people living away from the area its not been easy.

Chris, enjoying being back in the water, massive crowds all along the route.

Graz looking for play waves, there was way too much water really. Mostly washed out and very fast moving.

Let the water fights begin, kayakers and charity rafters have a good laugh getting wet, and the crowds throw flour bombs at both from the bank side.

There were some excellant rafts with petrol powered water pumps on board, Chris looks like he's having a giggle at someone getting blsted by one here!

Matlock canoe club's slalom course, and the heights of Abraham cable cars.

The shed. and the biggest wave on the river today!

Chris and Graz jump off the bridge.

Splash down!

watching the rafters negotiate the wier, it was pretty powerfull today with all that water, I felt really silly after taking this picture, I went to get my paddle and found it had blown off my deck and was making its way down the wier! A very kind kayaker returned it after seing it at the bottom! Doh!

Hogwarts express!

Cars and kayaks! No idea how they'd sealled this up against the water but it floated well.

A good day out, even if it did take 25 mins to get out of the finish car park.

Heres to next year.