Sheep, Bitches And A Seal 12-12-2010

I had to run the gauntlet of a herd of sheep and an assault course of various fences and barriers before I was able to launch from Porthsele. 

I paddled close to the cliffs into Ramsey Sound and took the short cut between Ynys Dinas and the mainland into St Justinian. 

I paddled across a deserted St Justinian and over to the arch by Ogof Mary. 

The tide was just right to paddle through the arch taking care to time it right as the occasional wave came through exposing rocks below the water. 

I took a slight detour toward Horse Rock but keep my distance as it is looking pretty lively today.

As I paddled up to Pen Dal-aderyn Ramsey Sound was running pretty quickly but I managed the ferry glide across to Ramsey okay. I was tempted to carry on around Ramsey but was quite surprised how strong the wind was when I reached the small arch at Penrhyn Twll. 

Turning around I let the North flowing flood tide take me back toward the Bitches. 

Reaching the Bitches they were starting to ease off so paddle in 1 hand and camera in the other it is time to try out the rapid shot function.  

I managed to stay upright and the camera seemed to work pretty well, will have to try it when the Bitches are a bit bigger! 

I played about for half an hour or so in the rough water but the tide flow was decreasing all the time but still good fun.

There were no pups on the beach at the landing jetty so I stayed close to the cliffs as I paddled Northward. 

I don't often paddle this close to the Island along this part of the coast due to nesting birds and seal pups but today it is deserted. 

As I am about to paddle through the cave between Rhod Isaf and Rhod Uchaf I am joined by a very inquisitive young seal. 

The seal accompanies me through the cave and stays around for a while before getting bored and disappearing back into the cave. 

As I paddle Northward along Ramsey I encounter more sheep complete with thick woollen coat. 

I paddle out to Gwahan and then back into the mainland passing Carreg Gafeilliog before returning back to a deserted Porthsele, just how I like it.

It is then a matter of running the gauntlet of the sheep and obstacles again. A paddle of 7.5 nautical miles (8.6 miles or 14km) a good way to finish another great weekend of paddling in Pembrokeshire.