Ramsey Island 03/09/2010

Normal service was resumed after yesterdays perfect conditions with the wind picking up again and creating quite a large swell. I crossed a choppy Ramsey Sound and made my way Southward towards the Bitches.  

             

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As I approached the Bitches I was passed by the Thousand Islands Expedition RIB just leaving Ramsey. The Northerly flowing flood tide was easing just enough for me to be able to paddle against it and through the Bitches to continue Southward.

After my sprint through the Bitches I stopped for a breather near the arch at Penrhyn Twll looking back at the farmhouse above Aberfelin.

I was about to use the swell to paddle through the arch until I spotted a large black head with 2 large eyes staring back at me.  I made a quick exit not waiting to incur the wrath of another bull seal.

Reaching Twll y Dillyn conditions seemed pretty calm so I decided to carry on and paddle along the West side of Ramsey.

As I paddled through the gap between Midland Isle and Ynys Bery I passed over some large swell, turning the kayak I saw a large set of waves crashing against Ynys Bery, looks like I timed it just right.

Paddling out of Bay Dillyn and rounding Trwynmynachdy the swell didn't subside, this could be an interesting paddle.

I kept my distance from the cliffs as I paddled past the steep pebbled beach of Porth Lleuog and the surrounding coast.

As I continue northward along the West coast of Ramsey I stopped at all the small headlands and watched with awe at the power of the sea, what a difference to yesterday.

Paddling between Carreg-gwlan and Ramsey the waves were being funnelled into a small inlet creating quite impressive spray. 

The spectacular show continued as I paddled further northward although the pictures don't really do it justice.

As is often the case when I reach Abermawr the conditions calm and as I paddle along the North of Ramsey there are only larges patches of white foam as a reminder of the swell I've just  paddled through.

An exhiliarating paddle in the end considering I didn't really have any idea where I was going to paddle today.

The First Throws of Autumn 02/09/2010

With the wind decreasing as the day went on I paddled out of Porthsele in the late afternoon and out past St David's Head and into the Southerly flowing ebbing tide stream.

The further I paddled out the calmer the sea got with hardly a breath of wind. There was also hardly a sound, a few weeks ago at this time of the day the sky and sea would have been amass of birds returning back to their nests for the night, but today there was hardly a bird in sight looks like Summer is over and Autumn is on it's way.
 

I paddled out a bit further and then just sat and let the ebbing tide take me down towards the West coast of Ramsey Island still with the eerie silence all around me.

As I draw level with the large beach of Abermawr I started to paddle back in towards the Island where, although flat calm, there is quite a fast tide race but using some eddys I make my way against the flow back up to the North of Ramsey.

Paddling along the North side of Ramsey the rock formations are highlighted by the slowly setting sun. Rounding Trwyn - Sion - Owen I encounter more tide flow as I paddle into Bay Ogof Hen.

As I paddle into the sheltered bay I spot a seal pup on a rocky ledge, keeping my distance manage to take a half decent photo after quite a few attempts with the pup's mum keeping a watchful eye on me.

I paddle northward away from Ramsey out toward the small rock of Gwahan as the sun drops lower in the clear sky and as a result the temperature starts to drop, Autumn is definately on the way.

Reaching Gwahan I stop paddling and just float on the glassy sea and watch the sun as it drops nearer the horizon where a mist is starting to form as the temperature starts to drop even more, I could have done with my long sleeved cag.

I float around for a little longer, it's not that often the sea is as flat as this, well not when I am out paddling anyway so I make the most of it before returning to Porthsele.  A cracking paddle in near perfect conditions but with a definate chill in the air.

How Big Was That Fish?! 01/09/2010

After Bobby and Harry's first fishing trip last night when Harry caught his first fish, a one a half pound Bass, it seemed a bit over the top when the Fishery Protection Vessel Cranogwen steamed into the bay and dropped anchor!

All was ok whey they learnt the fish, on Harry's insistence,had been returned to the sea to fight another day.

It was only to be a short paddle today as Tracy had an appointment with the Doctors for a twisted ankle, which would probably lead to a trip to sample the delights of Withybush A & E!

I paddled down to the Bitches where the last of the flood tide was creating just enough tide flow to have a bit of fun in.Reaching the outermost Bitch (rock) there were quite a few birds enjoying the warm sunshine. Just right for spending a few hours in casualty!!

Leaving the birds to their sunbathing I break into the main tide race and let it take me Northward back up through Ramsey Sound.

Halfway on my paddle back I meet up with Elliot and Will in their inflatables on their first excursion into Ramsey Sound, they couldn't have picked a better day for it.

Arriving back at Porthsele I am greeted by Bobby and Harry on their bodyboards waiting in vain for an elusive wave!