A Tale Of Two Bishops 27-04-2011

With the wind forecast to pick up later the idea was to use the last of the ebb tide to take me through Ramsey Sound and out into St Bride's Bay and then for the flood tide to bring me back up to South Bishop and then to North Bishop and back to Porthsele,  hopefully before the wind picks up.

Paddling Southward the sea was glassy flat and I saw an Otter and Porpoises near Pen Dal-ederyn as well as catching my first glimpse of South Bishop through Twyll y Dillyn

The paddle out to South Bishop Lighthouse was uneventful and I was quite surprised by the lack of bird life.

 I paddled clockwise round the small island  which has had a lighthouse on it since 1839.

I stopped by the main landing steps and had a rest whilst taking some photos of the Bishops and Clerks and the view back across to Ramsey Island and the St David's Head peninsula.

After my rest I start again on my paddle Northward to the second of the Bishops taking a last look back at South Bishop.

As I paddle North I first pass Daufraich the first of the Clerks and then Carreg Rhoson the second Clerk and after about 45 minutes North Bishop.

I paddle anti clockwise around North Bishop and encounter the first Puffins of the trip and also some Razorbills which aren't so camera shy.

Completing my circumnavigation of North Bishop I meet a couple fishing in a RIB who seem quite surprised to see me  especially when I put on my best Irish accent and ask for directions!

After another short break I begin the long ferry glide back to the mainland which was a bit lumpy in places as the wind, as forecast, had increased and was against the flooding tide.

After about an hour I was back at St John's Point taking one last look at North Bishop before paddling  back to Porthsele to complete a round trip of 15 nautical miles.

A Look Back At 2010

I began the year with a New Year's Day paddle with Martyn in slightly varying weather conditions!

Most of the paddling as usual was done on my own but I did have a good day out with Adrian, Eurion and Jim out to the Nash Sand Bar in the Bristol Channel. 

Throughout the year I saw a few sunrises and sunsets occasionally in rather chilly conditions.

As Ramsey Island is just round the corner from Porthsele I managed a few trips around the Island in varying conditions. 

With Ramsey Island so close there is also the Bitches which of course needs a mention, an awesome place.

On trips around the neighbouring islands of Skomer and Skokholm I saw plenty of Puffins and as evening approaches Manx Shearwater. Not too long now and they will be making their way back. 

On the subject of wildlife I had numerous encounters with seals on my travels, some friendly and others not!

Throughout the year I paddled in some quite lively conditions and on the occasional day calm seas.

The Bishop and Clerks are also just round the corner and out a bit from Porthsele so a few trips were made out to them, always an interesting paddle.

One of the great points of Sea Kayaking are the places you can explore that other craft cannot.

One of my best trips of the year was a paddle in mid December along the Castlemartin Range an amazing bit of coastline. 

Not a bad year of paddling and so far 2011 has continued in the same vein lets hope it stays that way.