Some Of The Caves Of Ramsey Island 03-06-2011

As has been the case all week the forecast once again wasn't too promising, so with no plan as such I paddled out from Porthsele out toward St David's Head and see what occurs.

I was in two minds whether to paddle around Ramsey but was a bit concerned about wind against tide in Ramsey Sound on my paddle back so I aired on the side of caution and paddled into Bay Ogof Hen at the North of Ramsey and explore some of the caves.

The cave above must be one of the longest on Ramsey and runs right through the headland of Trwyn-Sion-Owen.

I couldn't get right through the cave so I started to paddle round the headland to the other entrance bumping into Tim and Arnold of Venture Jet. Tim always seems to take great pleasure in tearing up to me pretending he hasn't seen me and then doing an emergency stop soaking everyone on the boat.

After having a quick chat with the two of them I paddle to the other entrance of the cave, I think it would be a bit of a struggle to paddle through it.

I decided to paddle around the next headland of Trwyn-drain-du where there are a few more caves to explore, a large Bull seal decides to tag along with me

I paddle into Ogof Organ which is full of foam caused from the occasional sets of largish waves that are funnelled into the cave.

Leaving Ogof Organ I am rejoined by the Bull seal, I am obviously encroaching on his manor.

The next cave I paddle into is Ogof Tywod which has a large main entrance and a smaller one off to the side.

I paddle back along the North of Ramsey and then Southward along the Eastern side of the Island where I come across a small cave I have not noticed before.

Close by the cave there is a small channel which comes to a dead end with a small arch in the middle which again I have not noticed before.

Paddling South the tide looks just right to paddle through the cave that pierces the headland between Rhod Uchaf and Rhod Isaf.

It is an easy paddle through the cave and I am soon at the Bitches which are starting to build up speed.

I have a bit of a play in the white water before starting my paddle Northward back up through Ramsey Sound.

Just like in Ogof Organ there are large patches of foam as I speed along effortlessly aided by the flooding tide.

Again not a paddle of much distance but I found a new cave and small arch, Ramsey Island always seems to throw something up, I guess that is why I enjoy paddling here so much.

Ramsey Sound Playground 30-05-2011

With the last 2 days surf dropping and the wind easing Bobby was very keen to get back in his kayak which was good as his confidence took a bit of a knock since his last venture out in the surf, but today he coped really well.

I was back in the Nordkapp after spending the last 2 days in the playboat and the surf kayak. After seeing Bobby safely back on Terra Firma I paddled out to have a play in the overfalls at Carreg Gafeilliog at the North end of Ramsey Sound.

After spending an hour or so playing in the rough water I paddled South through Ramsey Sound to Pen Dal-aderyn using a counter flow to aid my progress against the main North flowing tide race.

At Pen Dal-aderyn I paddled into the North flowing flood tide race and started my ferry glide across to the Bitches.

It was quite a bumpy paddle but I was soon tucked in behind the outermost Bitch where I had a rest before paddling across the Bitches to Ramsey Island.

The flood tide was starting to ease but the Viking Explorer RIB still had to put on a spurt to get up through the Bitches.

After a play in the confused white water I paddle back across the Bitches and back out  into the North flowing tide flow.

As usual it was a fast bumpy ride with waves coming from all angles but still great fun.

After a few hundred yards the sea calmed but was still flowing at a fair pace and I was soon approaching St John's Point and nearly back at Porthsele.

No great distance but good to be back in the Nordkapp. I never get bored of paddling in Ramsey Sound, what an awesome piece of water and always to be treated with the utmost respect.