There And Back

At last, despite numerous previous invites I actually managed to get out for a paddle with Stu and Taran, and the best bit for me was that it wasn't going to be in The Bay. Today's plan was to paddle to Llantwit Major from Cold Knap on the ebb and return with the flood.

Timed to perfection, the small hull friendly sandy bit is starting to get exposed, and the water is like a mill pond.

Shortly after getting on we meet up with Peter from Glam Boaters who's out having a bit of practice, he declines the offer to join us as he's been on he water for a while, maybe next time Peter.

The cliffs of this section of coastline are made of sedimentary rock which makes them susceptible to erosion and ultimate collapse. A pre Christmas gift, passing mother natures landscaping gift to the rather concerned owners of the front row of caravans at Porthkerry. Hands up, a bit of a fashion fopa on my behalf,  it seems that Bandannas are a must have fashion accessory.

Approaching Aberthaw power station......

And it's associated water intake Tower, this was a dominant feature on today's paddle, you can see it from miles away. Stu and Taran explained that the water gets rather freaky around here when it gets rough, as that was not an issue today I paddle over to take a closer inspection. The structure basically  allows an eddy to form behind it,  but unlike a river feature it didn't extend in a straight line with a defined edge, rather more like a meandering path that was full of some large, bigger than boat size boils (upwardly moving water with rounded domed tops ) with one eye on the edges of these boils I cross over them testing out how my boat feels. All happy we carry on....

The above shot really encompasses this part of the coast, rather featureless cliffs that go on and on..... it would have a bit boring really if not for the company, it was really good chatting with Stu and Taran. Another feature of today's paddle was listening to Swansea coastguard dealing with what they believed to be a malicious Mayday call, apparently there is someone out there who has access to a vhf radio and is making Mayday calls for the fun of it, what a prat.

As the surf was big at Llantwit, Stu and I decided to wait out beyond the surf as we didn't want to land and risk damaging our boats on the rocks, however Taran did make it to shore though for a quick pee. I didn't take many photo's on the way back as nothing really changed from the shot above which was taken at Llantwit, except that the cooling tower you see on the horizon just kept getting bigger.

On the way back just by Rhoose point we noticed some very large waves breaking, Taran charged in, myself a Stu took the cautious approach and observed from a distance, the waves seemed to appear and then disappear with no indication that they were going to form. At one point it went all quiet for some time, then I heard a crashing noise from my right, Oh My God it was one of the waves, both Stu and I hit reverse at Mach 10 giggling like children.

Image courtesy of Taran.

Thanks guys for inviting me, I know it was a bit flat and uneventful but I did enjoy myself.

A Winters Tale

Honk Honk, paddle alert! That's the message I used to get from my friend Mark when the rivers went into spate, but as he lives in Australia now I'd guess he's enjoying far better weather than I am. That's also the reason why my phone remained silent when the rivers in Brecon went into spate earlier this week. However, step forward Chris (This boy is keen, he's even had a mention in Canoe & Kayak magazine since the last time we paddled) and his friend Taf.

They're out for a paddle and want a river guide. A last minute change of plan took us over to the River Wye to do the Glasbury to Hay On Wye section. Chris wanted to have a look at this section so that he could run it again with a couple of his mates.

No gravel beach, meant the Wye having a much larger catchment area than the Usk had retained its water. This whole section is flat but should not be underestimated, I know personally that a fatal accident occurred on this stretch a few years ago.

After a quick briefing to ensure that wouldn't be happening on this trip, we set off. Chris beginning to experience the joys of winter paddling........bloody cold hands !!!!

Snow on the hills and a cold cold wind ensure we keep paddling. Its hard to show in a still photograph but we are absolutely motoring along. You just know with a sky like that it will probably snow.

On cue it began and didn't stop.

Taf and I on the Wye.

In record time we are at the get out, I think Taf's expression says it all, we had a right old laugh on this trip.  I should have realised because right at the start I noticed Chris with a puzzled face and Taf nearly crying with laughter, not understanding why and with a puzzled face, Chris came over to me and wanted some advice about his new dry bag. Did it need to go back to Cotswold, was the question as apparently they had neglected to enclose the zip / fastener with it and it wouldn't close properly...

Yes mate, it most definitely does need to go back.

Way Back When

Not exactly Seakayaking but with strong winds forecast for the South Wales coast yet again, I decided to meet up with my friend Chris from Brecon Canoe club for a nice grade II bimble along the River Usk. Chris is a relative newbie to paddling and I think this would be his 3rd time on moving water.  Today's section had to be from Aberbran to Brecon.

This section was one of the first I paddled when I started way back when and is heavily used by clubs and centres to introduce people to moving water river skills, ideal place but like usual not ideal conditions, heavy rain had increased the flow but at least it wasn't in spate. Although Chris thought it was twinned with the Zambezi.

Power On !
And punching through.

I notice that the river levels are beginning to rise, some of the smaller rapids are washed out, no drama yet so we push on. Chris skirting around the fun bits on this one, I don't think he noticed I was there.

Me surfing a minuscule wave I found trying to encourage Chris to have a play.

This bit always feels so remote. 

A short break for lunch and a chance to inspect another rapid.

Me about to enter the bumpy section by Llanspyddid closely followed by Chris hopefully.

Yep, what I remember bumpy (Yee Ha)

The rest of the river was pretty washed out so I gave up on the pics. All in all no swims and a massive grin on Chris's face at the get out said it all.

Todays Forecast

Time is my biggest enemy, I just don't have enough of it. As recent events have been conspiring to keep me out of my boat I have become a bit desperate to get back on the water, I was adamant that I would snatch at least an hour or so today but with a forecast of Force 5 to 7 and rough seas scheduled for the Bristol Channel my options were limited. So with decision made I headed off yet again to Cardiff Bay.

Absolutely flat calm and to be honest a tadge disappointing, I was hoping to do some practice in slightly bumpier conditions, building on from a previous adventure Lost Property  but beggar's can't be choosers.

Approaching the bridge I stop and have a mess about with my camera. I then make my way in the direction of Penarth Yacht Club straight across from the metal pole you can see in the distance.

As soon as I pass the flats, the wind hits me, the water was relatively calm but the wind was strong trying to snatch my paddle from my hands. I stopped my boat to take this picture and realised I was being pushed along by the wind ( a little wake from my bow is evident in the picture above). A bit of practice turning in the wind and I head over to the yacht club.

A bit of respite from the wind as I pass the yacht club and make my way to across the River Ely. I use the Ely embankment as a handrail and then turn to make my way towards the other side of the bay.  Back into the wind only this time it is coming side on and accompanied with slightly bigger waves, I practice trying to make progress without the skeg but its sooo much easier using the skeg so I give up on that one, the two yellow speed boats pass and their wake only adds to the fun coupled with a bit of clapotis sprinkled on top at the maintenance depot certainly spices this side of the bay up. 

The wind drops in the lee of the St Davids Hotel so it's out with the camera again. The Port of Cardiff was one of the first to have a Norwegian Sailor’s Church established to provide spiritual and social care to thousands of Norwegian sailors that were employed in the Norwegian merchant fleet. The Church was founded by Herman Lunde of Oslo and built in 1868 between the East and West Docks on land that was donated by the Marquis of Bute. Over the years a number of building alterations were made, the most significant took place when a gallery and a bell tower were added in 1985.

During his childhood Roald Dahl and his family also worshipped here, in fact both Dahl & his sisters were christened at the Church.

Looking at some relics of the past and enjoying the smell of freshly brewed coffee which is so evident at Mermaids Quay especially very early in the morning.



After one circuit I head back to the launch point, paddling again in calm water, its amazing the difference between one side and the other.

Before I get out I have a mess about with my camera exploring different shooting angles, I quite like this one although a bit of refinement is needed and maybe a spirit level. Glad to be back in my boat and also achieve what I wanted, can't ask more than that. One happy boater.