Bitches and Grumpy Seals 21/08/2010

With the showers of rain finally easing off I launch from Porthsele for a late afternoon - early evening paddle. Although the tide is still flooding Ramsey Sound is flat calm, a trip around Ramsey may be on the cards.

I paddle into the sheltered bay at Carn ar Wig, no seal pups yet only a large blue barrel bobbing about in the glassy calm water.

As I paddle up to the southerly end of the Sound there is a horse taking it's life into it's hands to get a tastier bit of grass. As usual it is a bit lumpy as I start the ferry glide across to Ramsey Island.
I was quite surprised at the effort I had to put in not to get dragged down towards the Bitches but had a well deserved rest at Ynys Hen-Ffordd where I take a look at the Bitches reef which is almost submerged. Four Shags watch me as I round Penrhyn Twll and I am joined by a couple of bull seals who follow me as I paddle southward toward Ynys Cantwr.
Reaching Twll Y Dillyn I decide against continuing around Ramsey as the sea looks pretty wild with breaking waves as far as I can see, so I decide on the easy option and paddle away from Ramsey and back into Ramsey Sound.
The one very large bull keeps following me swimming very close behind me as I paddle, constantly snorting and then disappearing with a loud splash when I stop and look around to try and take a photo. As I am taken northward by the tide the bull finally leaves me by giving the stern of the kayak an almightly butt which gives me quite a jolt, I hope he is in a better mood if I bump into him again!

I paddle with the tide past the Bitches and then into the eddy which takes me back southward up to the outermost Bitch (rock).

I then make my way across the confused swirling white water towards Ramsey and into the calm water behind the Bitch nearest the main wave.
With the flood tide now easing it is an ideal time to have a play in the fast flowing tide race.
I make my way back across the Bitches and back out into the main tide race through the numerous small waves, great fun!

I paddle over the submerged Horse Rock where there are large upsurges as the tide is forced over the granite pinnacle bang in the middle of Ramsey Sound.

Taking a slight detour I paddle past the NE corner of Ramsey and out to the small rocky outcrop of Gwahan to the North of Ramsey. A large swell is hitting the rock, I think I probably made the right deicison not to paddle around Ramsey.

I then ferry glide back across the northerly end of the sound to the jagged rocks of Carreg Gafeilliog and back to Porthsele.
Paddling into Porthsele I am greeted by Bobby and Harry having great fun on their bodyboards.
After landing I watch and take some photos of the boys thoroughly enjoying themselves in the surf with Harry almost riding the tube on the 3rd photo.
A great way to end a paddle of just over 8 nautical miles (9.5 miles of 15 kms).