Shipwrecks At Dusk 10-12-2010

As is often the case on my weekend trips down West I stop off at Solva on route for a quick paddle but today someone has pulled the plug!  

It was about half a mile walk before I found the sea this is where the trolley is worth it's weight in gold.

With the tide being so low I knew the wrecked tugs about a mile down the coast would be well exposed so I set off Westward passing some interesting rock formations on the way. 

The first wreck I reach is the most intact of the 3 wrecked tugs that were wrecked back in October 1981. The first picture above is a photo I took back in 1982 it certainly has taken a battering since. 

The tug has now split into 3 with just the bow, engine block and the stern remaining.

I paddle round into the next bay where the other 2 tugs were wrecked but there is not too much left of them just various pieces scattered everywhere.  

Paddling back to the first wreck it is now quite dark hence the not too good photos but at least I got a paddle in. Reaching Solva it is another long walk back with the kayak but at least it keeps me fit.

Under A Solva Moon 19/11/2010

The tide was just right at Solva for a late afternoon paddle on route to Pencarnan, with even the possibility of a sunset. 

The harbour was pretty quiet with the majority of the boats out of the water and now in Winter storage.

I paddled into and along the pebbled beach of Gwadn and explore the caves at the harbour's entrance before paddling out into St Brides Bay. 

I paddle through the small arch just outside the harbour and then along the high cliffs to the West of Solva.

There was to be no sunset with only a bank of cloud out to the West which the sun had disappeared into.

Paddling back toward Solva the cloud cleared enough to let the almost full moon brighten my way through the increasing dusk. 

As it gets darker the moon gets brighter but it is difficult to hold the camera steady long enough to get any decent photos.

Arriving back at the car park the tide is still high enough so it is only a short walk up the slipway. No sunset but at least I managed a small paddle to start the weekend.

A Perfect Pembrokeshire Winter's Sunset 11/12/2009

After far too long off the water due to our inclement British weather, the forecast was finally looking promising. Finishing work early I drove westward for hopefully a weekend of paddling.

As I drove, it was clear there was going to be a good sunset. With it being touch and go whether I would make it to Pencarnan in time I stopped at Solva, and with the tide in it was just right. I quickly untied the kayak and put on my paddling kit and was soon paddling out of a deserted Solva Harbour.

For a while I thought I had missed the sunset but as I reached the harbour entrance the sun hadn't yet disappeared, so I paddled out further and it looked like it was going to be well worth the rush to get on the water.

I paddled out a short distance and it was just a matter of sitting and watching the sun slowly disappear below the horizon and snap away with the camera to my heart's content.

The wind picked up a bit which made it a little difficult taking pictures but as the sun disappeared the sunset became even more impressive with the bank of cloud increasing the visual effect.

I slowly made my way back to the harbour entrance continously turning around to look back at the darkening sky.

Paddling back into the sheltered harbour it was now dark giving me a chance to experiment with the camera. Though it was difficult to hold the camera steady long enough for the exposure or something like that.

Hopefully the rest of the weekend will be as good as this short paddle with my only worry being the increasing wind but at least I had some decent sunset photos which have been few and far between this year.

Respite at Solva 29/10/2009

With the tide right, the wind still showing no sign of easing and Bobby not yet having the chance to paddle his kayak it was an ideal day to go for a paddle at the sheltered harbour of Solva.

The part of the harbour where the boats were moored was calm and sheltered from the wind and ideal for Bobby to get the feel of his kayak again.

Rounding the right angle bend at the seaward end of the harbour we lost the protection from the wind and there was a small swell coming into the harbour which was great for Bobby to get his confidence in slightly rougher water than he is used to paddling in. He was a bit tentative at first but soon was loving it, getting very wet in the process.

After a good half hour in the harbour entrance we paddled back to the car park where Harry seemed more interested in rock climbing than kayaking still a good time was had by all.

A Wet and Windy Ramsey Sound 13/04/2009

With it being Bank Holiday Monday the weather obliged and served up typical Bank Holiday weather.

Before the weather took a turn for the worse Bobby and I set off for Solva to catch the high tide. Already the wind was being funnelled down the normallly sheltered valley of Solva harbour, so we didn't venture too far although Bobby was quite content to have his first taste of some white water kayaking!

With the weather deteriorating as the day went on and no sign of it looking like it was going to improve I finally bit the bullet and put on my still soaking wet gear from yesterday and ventured down the beach (I must be getting old!).

I decided to paddle over to Whitesands then out to St David's Head and let the southerly flowing ebb tide take me down through Ramsey Sound.

On reaching Porth Lleuog, the small bay the other side of the Ram's Nose from Whitesands, there were quite large waves coming in, made steeper by the northerly wind.

Out at St David's Head I then paddle southward initially intending to head over to the north of Ramsey Island but the wind picked up and even though I had the tide with me I was making very slow progress and with the rain increasing it was actually stinging my eyes.

I decided to change course and head for St Justinian and hopefully a bit of shelter. On reaching St Justinian I stayed close to the cliff passing the natural arch and then onto the numerous caves around Maen Bachau.

Around here the water was glassy calm making it ideal to explore the caves with some having 2 entrances. It was a shame that the rain kept on getting on the lens of the camera and spoiling the picture quality.
After exploring the caves and inlets for quite a while I paddled on southward to the tiny bay at

Carn ar Wig.

There is a fishing trip nearby but I don't think they will have much luck as I was soon joined by 2 large bull seals checking me out, only popping their heads out of the water slightly, obviously not wanting to get wet from the rain!!

Watching the seals for a bit I then paddled northwards back to St John's Point and with the wind behind me I made rapid progress averaging a speed of 6.5 to 7 knots.

An interesting paddle in far from ideal conditions. I paddle here so often that I tend to forget how much there is to see and makes you realise what a fantastic coastline Pembrokeshire has.