When I first awoke everything was still shrouded in the by now all too familiar mist but as the morning progressed it gradually lifted and by the time we launched at Thurlestone there was hardly a cloud in the sky which made a very welcome change.
Paddling out past Thurlestone Rock, the large natural arch which appears to have just been plonked in the middle of the bay, we paddle towards the Bolt Tail.
We pass the two sheltered beaches at Hope Cove with the two villages of Outer Hope and Inner Hope above them and soon reach the large headland of Bolt Tail.
A little further round from Bolt Tail there is a huge cave which Eurion wastes no time in exploring in the composite P&H Cetus demo boat, disturbing a seal in the process. The cave went back a long way and got a little interesting with 3 of us at the back of the cave when a set of larger than usual waves rolled into the cave, still it cleared our heads of any remnants of last night's excesses of the Pig's Nose!
The next two miles of coastline are composed of high cliffs with few places to land until we reach Soar Mill Cove.
With a bit of surf coming into the beach and not everyone in the group too happy about landing we eat our refreshments in our boats before setting off on the paddle back to Thurlestone.
Reaching Bolt Tail there is a bit of swell picking up which Heather and Eurion enjoy playing about in.
It is only a short a short paddle back to Thurlestone Rock and the beach. A paddle of 8.25 nautical miles in sunshine and blue skies, a perfect way to finish a great weekend.
Once again a big thank you to Mark for organising everything and roll on next year. 
With the weather at the moment not being too suitable for sea kayaking I have been looking back at photos of last year and here are some of my favourite moments. I haven't many photos of myself so thanks go to Martyn for the one above.
Throughout the year I had a few trips out to the islands of Flat Holm and Steep Holm and out to Monkstone Lighthouse all in the Bristol Channel. 
My longest paddle of the year was from Penarth to the Second Severn Crossing and back. A round trip of nearly 40 nautical miles. I felt very small next to the immense concrete structure.
In August I was lucky enough to have a close encounter with 2 very curious seals in one of the bays on Ramsey Island. Normally the seals around Ramsey are quite timid and the bulls can be quite aggressive but these two hung around for about half an hour, it was something that will stay with me for a long time.
On the subject of wildlife, a few trips to Skomer Island left me having spent many hours watching one of my favourite sea birds, the Puffin, as well as the occasional Fulmar. On a paddle between St David' Head and Ramsey Island I saw my first Sunfish, the picture isn't brilliant as the sea was a bit choppy but again its something I won't forget. 
In June, myself and Eurion attended The South West Sea Kayak Meet organised by Mark Rainsley, although a bit foggy at times, we had three great days paddling the South Devon coast, hopefully I will be able to attend this year also.
The highlights of the year wouldn't be complete without mentioning the delights of Ramsey Sound where I do the majority of my paddling, there is never a dull moment especially around the Bitches and even on a calm day the tide flow can be pretty impressive. 
On the subject of rough water, above are a couple of photos of a trip around Skomer and to Musselwick Sands in May when there was quite a large swell and things got a bit hairy in a few places but great fun, especially when I was back on dry land! 
A few sunsets seem like an ideal place to end my look back at 2009, it wasn't a bad year, lets hope 2010 is just as good if not better!. 
