With the forecast good and the tides being reasonably large Springs Eurion and myself decided to use the last 3 hours or so of the ebbing tide to see how far we get along the line of buoys that mark the Nash and Scarweather Sand Bars.
We are swept past the lighthouse at Nash Point between 7 and 8 knots and hardly have time to take a picture of the East Nash Cardinal Buoy before being propelled down the Bristol Channel.
In well under an hour we are paddling past the Mid Nash Buoy just over 5 nautical miles into our paddle.
After another 4 nautical miles in very quick time we are at the West Nash Buoy after seeing a group of Porpoises a couple of times on the way.
We have to make a slight alteration to our course to reach the South Scarweather Buoy as the tide is trying to take us out past it.
We were hoping to be able to land on Scarweather Sands but all we could see were breaking waves, we decided to have a closer look.
There was no sand to land on just near perfect surfing waves. I had a close call on the above wave being more concerned about taking photos, no damage done though just a thorough soaking.
It was a bit strange to be nearly 5 nautical miles from the nearest land and to encounter near perfect waves, especially as today there was no swell, I bet it is pretty awesome out here when there is some swell.
In 15 minutes we are back paddling on a glassy flat sea, hard to see where those waves had come from.
After nearly 3.5 hours on the water and just over 16 nautical miles paddled we arrive at the West Scarweather Buoy.
The tide is still ebbing so we decide to paddle onto the Ledge Buoy which is 4 nautical miles South of Mumbles Head. The last 15-20 minutes were a bit of a slog as the tide has turned but we make it.
It is now just the small matter of paddling back which seemed to be more of an effort and at times we didn't seem to be making too much progress.
Although it seemed slow we did the paddle back in just over 3.5 hours I guess we must have just been getting tired.
An amazing paddle of just over 37 nautical miles (43 miles or 69 kms) in almost 8 hours making the most of the tidal power of the Bristol Channel. Thanks Eurion for the invite and for the additional photos.
When Eurion phoned and asked if I fancied a Sunday lunchtime pint I didn't think it wouldn't be as simple as turning up at a pub!
Eurion had heard that a pub had been opened on Flat Holm so we found ourselves paddling out across the World's 2nd biggest tidal range, dodging the occasional ship on the way, not the usual relaxing Sunday lunchtime pint!
As we were out in the Bristol Channel it seemed rude not to pay a visit to Flat Holm's neighbouring island so we made a slight detour and we were soon at Steep Holm.
We paddled clockwise around Steep Holm used the still flooding tide to push us along effortlessly.
Eurion stared longingly at the remains of the island's inn but he would have to wait a little longer for his lunchtime pint!
Paddling around the SE corner of Steep Holm we pass 2 of the island's WWII searchlight posts
Approaching Rudder Rock Eurion is obviously working up a thirst and points out that Flat Holm is only just around the corner.
Eurion is dwarfed below the aptly named Rudder Rock with another searchlight post perched on top.
Rounding Rudder Rock we start our paddle over to Flat Holm and on nearing the island Eurion is convinced he can smell hops!
Landing on the island I mention to Eurion that a couple sat on the grass don't have any clothes but he didn't seem too bothered until another couple pass us also starkers!
En route to the pub we encounter many of the island's Gulls who are very protective toward their chicks and also more naked people, lets hope they have put plenty of sun cream on their extremities!
We finally get our lunchtime pint in The Gull and Leek served by the Warden come landlord who asks why we are so over dressed as there is a nudist weekend hence all the bare flesh.
After a very refreshing and enjoyable pint we have a wander around the island dodging swooping gulls and the occasional nudist. Walking back to the kayaks we bump into Stuart, Taran and Jules who, like us, are making the most of the near perfect conditions.
We have a quick chat before going our seperate ways with Eurion and myself starting our paddle back to the mainland suitably refreshed.
We pass the Wolves Buoy and are soon paddling back to the Sully YC slipway across a glassy flat sea.
A cracking paddle in near perfect conditions with the added bonus of a refreshing pint en route, nice one Eurion and it was good to finally meet up with Stuart and Taran.
