Three Brass Monkey's

It's always been in the back of my mind and to some extent was inevitable, what I didn't realise was how soon it would come. The weather was good, the tides were good and I was feeling considerably more confident with my boat and ability, everything was spot on for a trip to Steepholm and Flatholm islands, premier league indeed.

Nate from Glamboaters was going to join Taran and I for this trip, it was going to be a superb day out. But everything came to a grinding halt when we arrived at Sully Island, the channel looked rough white horses were everywhere, Steepholm was off. Whilst looking over to Flatholm I could see some large waves breaking and I think they hadn't bypassed Taran either, Flatholm looked off as well. I must admit I was a bit disappointed that we couldn't get out there this time, but safety first. Instead we decided to head on down to Penarth and see how we get on, as the wind was strong it was going to be a bit of a slog, oh and nobbling as well.


Conditions in Sully bay it's going to be bumpy.


A little bit of shelter being offered by Sully Island. Red Triassic marl is clearly visible, it's hard to believe I am looking at over 100 million years of time represented in these rocks. Things get a bit bumpy over the sully sandbar my boat is rising and falling over the waves, no photo's I'm afraid, thought it prudent to hold onto the paddle.

Approaching Lavernock point, and things have calmed down a bit. It is bitterly cold, I've heard words such as challenging, interesting and fun but invigorating is a good word to describe today's conditions.

Nate slogging on against the wind, Flatholm and Steepholm in the distance.

There was nothing going on at Lavernock point, but a change of course to Penarth puts us sideways onto the wind, not long after turning we stop for lunch. It's taken 2 hours to get to this point.

Did I mention it was nobbling? Despite the sun we all begin to feel the cold and if we stay any longer the three monkey's would be looking for a welder. Despite about 4o mins left of the flood the decision is easily made to turn and head back home.

Back into the wind, although only for a short time this time....

As soon as we have the wind behind us and the tide turns everything flattens out like someone has literally switched the waves off, but the bitter cold was still there.

It's so cold I think Taran began to hallucinate about a warm cup of coffee.......


and then he regressed back to primary school, do you think he wanted to ask me a question.


Shortly afterwards we head back to the cars and after a very rapid change indeed, we find ourselves sitting in the warmth of the local pub 'The Captain's Wife' having a few drinks. A fitting conclusion to a  short, enjoyable, and bitterly cold paddle.
 

Absolutely Superb

Toady I find myself back at Oxwich, only this time with Taran and Stuart. The plan for today's adventure is to turn right and head on down to Llangennith.  The sun being very welcome at Oxwich after the cold early start that we all had to make to get here. We weren't the only ones though, as we were loading the boats Stu noticed a seal basking in the water, absolutely superb.

St Illtyd's, a 13th century church that overlooks Oxwich Bay.

After passing Oxwich point we start heading west with the tide.

Our next land mark, Port Eynon in the distance. We begin exploring every nook and cranny on the way,  there is simply so much to see. 

The coastline along this whole section is very impressive and just encourages you to keep on exploring. Its perspective is just lost on camera though, you really do need to paddle this section to appreciate it. 

A dove croft or a place to stash smugglers ill gotten gains? Probably initially built for the former and then used by the later, who knows. Culver Hole is just west of Port Eynon and featured in one of the BBC's Coast episodes.   

Probably the most famous part of the Gower Coast, Paviland Cave secured it's place in history when the oldest human bones to be discovered were found here. Initially thought to belong to a female they are now confirmed as belonging to a male. If you want to find out more you could always use the Internet, but better still pay a visit to Cardiff museum, certainly the last time I visited, there was a whole display devoted to the 'Red Lady of Paviland'. (I believe the actual cave is the one on the right of my bows)

Taran and Stu discover this gap between rocks which periodically fills with a maelstrom of water. Can you spot Taran, you just know where he is.......

Yep right in the middle of it.

Stu has a go as well.

Our next target, Worms Head in the distance. There appears to be some large waves forming to the left of the head, but it's difficult to work out actually how close in they are.

Me taking in the view..

And at the headland, the height of this is just amazing, you can just make out Taran on the left. You simply don't get this perspective from walking on paths at the top of these cliffs, it's simply on a jaw dropping scale. 

Heading down towards Llangennith again just absolutely superb scenery.

This was my last shot before my camera battery went flat. You might not believe this but there is a seal keeping a eye on us in the above photo. Zoom in if you can, its to the right of the breaking wave, on the line between the water and cliff.   

Heading back in the direction of the car, tired but with two obstacles still to negotiate.

One a surf beach........

It was rude not to have a play, although small they certainly packed a punch. The other obstacle, well with the tide out that was just an horrendous walk back to the car. I think we were all impressed by this one, I know I was. For me the title of this post says it all.......thanks guys.

Taran's 'Rescue Rangers'

It's been on my mind that I really need to start doing some rescues, so earlier in the week I volunteered my services as guinea pig to Taran so that he could practice some rescues/tows for his impending 5* assessment. Glam boaters were having a sesh down the bay on Saturday so count me in Taran.

I should have known though ice on the boat in the morning and a bitterly cold January day, hints at a bit of madness for any form of rescue practice, so in the end I didn't get to do any. Instead I gate crashed Taran's school for paddlers.

It was a chance to meet up with Peter, Carol and Laura, who are very friendly and welcoming people indeed. I had a laugh with Peter when his first words to me were "Hi Noel, do you know your famous", "What do you mean" I said, "well you've been out with Taran twice now, most people take up walking after their first time". That did make me smile and set the tone for an enjoyable paddle.

It was good to brush up on some skills and practice new ones (cross bow rudder) couple this with a bit of messing about trying to cause Taran's boat to spin off course really encapsulated an enjoyable few hours on the water.

An obvious lack of photo's today, yep, I forgot my camera and didn't remember to pick it up when I returned home after forgetting my spraydeck as well. Cold water shock had started before even I had.

Update: Taran has kindly forwarded me some of the photo's he took of todays paddle.