The Easter Break At Last 21-04-2011

After what seemed like an eternity we were finally back down West for a longer than usual Easter break due to a Royal Wedding and numerous Bank Holidays. Conditions were ideal for a leisurely paddle around Ramsey Island hopefully culminating in a sunset.

There was a little adverse tide as I crossed from Pen Dal-adeyrn over to Ramsey Island across an unusually glassy flat Ramsey Sound.

The tide was back in my favour as I paddled through the gap between Ynys Cantwr and Midland Isle.

The West side of Ramsey was also unusually very calm with no swell, hopefully this is a good sign for the next week, though I somehow doubt it!

With the sun dropping ever lower in the clear blue sky it was creating some interesting colours and shadows on the West facing cliffs of Ramsey.

It was also looking promising for a sunset as I looked Westward out to the Bishops and Clerks.

As I paddled along the North of Ramsey there was a slight mist starting to appear but the sunset was still looking promising.

Crossing back across Ramsey Sound the sun was disappearing behind the North of the Island creating some unusual colours on the large upwellings.

Reaching the mainland I stopped paddling and just floated watching the sun sink lower toward the horizon and North Bishop.

The sun finally disappeared behind North Bishop and I paddled the short distance back to Porthsele to complete a very leisurely evening paddle around Ramsey Island.  Lets hope the rest of the holiday continues in the same vein.

After A Hard Week's Graft.... 15-04-2011

.....there is nothing better than a late afternoon/early evening paddle in the Nordkapp to wash away those work blues! So in less than an hour after leaving work I was paddling out from the slipway at Sully YC out into the Bristol Channel hopefully out to Steep Holm.

There was a layer of mist just above sea level as I paddle Southward hopefully letting the last of the flooding tide take me past Flat Holm and out to Steep Holm.

I had to slow my paddling stroke to let the Magnus F, a 147m long container ship pass as she makes her way to Antwerp.

The mist cleared as I approached Steep Holm. I was going to paddle around the South of the island first but on reaching Rudder Rock the flood tide was still flowing quickly so I let it take me Eastward along the North facing cliffs.

The tide shot me along the North side of Steep Holm under one of the Island's many gun emplacements and searchlight posts.

I stop under the now derelict inn by the island's landing jetty and try and photograph a couple of the island's Shelducks but they are far too wary to get close to.

Paddling along the not so steep South facing cliffs I pass 2 more of Steep Holm's emplacements more evidence of the island's military past dating back to the Victorian era. 

Reaching Rudder Rock again the flood tide has eased off though I think I will still have to ferry glide part of the way across to Flat Holm.

Looking Eastward as I begin my paddle to Flat Holm there is still a layer of mist covering the English Coast with only the headlands of Brean Down and Anchor Head visible above it.

Nearing Flat Holm I have to adjust my angle of approach as the tide is beginning to ebb, there wasn't much slack water, if any.

Reaching Flat Holm I shelter in the calm water at Lighthouse Point before I begin my paddle back to the South Wales mainland as the wind has increased slightly.

The ebbing tide is starting to pick up speed as I paddle through the small gap between Castle Rock and the Island.

The paddle back is very quick aided by the ever increasing ebbing tide and I am soon approaching Sully Island and through Sully Sound where small standing waves are beginning to form over the causeway between the Island and the Mainland.

I thought I might get a better sunset but a mass of black cloud spoilt it.  A brisk paddle of 13 nautical miles, 3.5 hours, just right to get a stressful weeks' work out of the system.

Sunset With A Splash Of Salt 25-03-2011

After too long a break from sea kayaking due to various reasons I was back at Pencarnan but conditions were not what I had expected. There was a brisk NE wind blowing very different to the windless conditions I had left a few hours ago in Cardiff.

 I paddled straight out from Porthsele encountering a bit of wind against tide around Carreg Gafeilliog.

Paddling out further into the main Southerly flowing ebb tide conditions calmed as wind was now with tide as I let it take me down to Gwahan.

 As is often the case at this state of the tide there was a little rough water at the NE corner of the small rock.

I let the tide take me into Bay Ogof Hen at the North of Ramsey where I take a look in a few of the caves.

Paddling out of the bay and into Ramsey Sound the sun was starting to drop, I might get a sunset tonight.

I was thinking of paddling down to the Bitches but I knew it would be a bit of a slog back up through the Sound against wind and tide, so I opted for a ferry glide back to the mainland.

Reaching the mainland I was slightly sheltered from the wind giving me the chance to take some photos of the setting sun.

At St John's Point I managed to tuck in behind a rock which the swell was breaking over creating a different sunset shot.

The sun finally disappeared into a bank of mist as I made my way back to Porthsele, I just hope the wind drops a bit overnight.