Saturday 30 May 2009

A Few Small Pleasures 30/05/2009

After spending the majority of a lovely sunny day on the beach with the family, Martyn and myself paddled out of Porthsele in the late afternoon to show Martyn some of the highlights of the east side of Ramsey Island and the mainland coastline opposite.


The intention was to paddle north of Ramsey and let the south flowing ebb tide take us into Bay Ogof Hen at the north of the island. We made such good progress that with a little sprint we were able to make it out to Gwahan the small rocky outcrop to the north of Ramsey.


We had a brief rest in the slack water by the rock and then broke into the tidal flow and let it take us down to Ramsey Island.


We spent a while exploring the numerous caves and were joined by a bull seal keeping a close eye on the intruders on his manor!


Paddling around Trwyn Ogof Hen we were back in the main tide stream but broke out of it to explore the east side of the island, in particular the large cave that pierces the headland between Rhod Uchaf and Rhod Isaf but today the tide was too low to paddle right through.

Passing the sheltered bay of Rhod Isaf we were soon down at the Bitches. We paddle along them to the nearest rock to the mainland where the tide is still flowing quite fast southward.

Instead of paddling straight back across to the mainland we paddle northward for a bit and then ferry glide across the main tidal flow and into Maen Bachau where we explore the numerous caves and inlets, but once again the tide is too low to be able to explore the caves fully.

We pass a Gull feasting on an unfortunate crab, closely guarding it, though I prefer them cooked! I manage to get a close up of an oystercatcher, normally they are quite timid birds.

Paddling into St Justinian, the home of the St David's Lifeboat, sunglasses are needed as we paddle into the setting sun back to Porthsele in the glassy calm water.

A leisurely evening's paddle, hope Martyn enjoyed it and that he doesn't tell too many people! Thanks again to Martyn for supplying some of the photos.

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