Flipper & friends...

Not a big paddle today, just enough to get my paddles wet but it's a trip that I'll never forget...

Heading out in perfect weather from the stunning Porth Dinllaen on the Lleyn Peninsular...

Approaching the Carreg Ddu overfalls though their in a gentle mood this morning...

I eye up the furthest headland & head for that...

Time for a call of nature, I'm hopeless in the mornings...

After a brief rest I notice that the tide has turned so slowly start to make my way back...

The swell was starting to build on the way back & then I heard a few splashes, assuming them to be breaking waves I look over my shoulder to see a dolphin breaking the surface, then another (bloody hell!), it's a first for me (WOW). I counted four altogether & they swan alongside me for around ten minutes, coming within 20 foot at times though not a hope in hell of getting any pictures (too fast).
I was paddling really slowly up until this point but the dolphins put renewed vigor into my lazy arms. I was now paddling at about 5 knots at this point, not only to try & keep with them but to hold their interest to see how long they would stay around. I wasn't really looking where I was going evan though the sea was starting to build (to busy grinning).
They headed further out into Caernarfon Bay just as I started to approach the Carreg Ddu overfalls which was handy as I needed to pay attention again...

The overfall were picking up nicely in the swell & I could see waves breaking just before the quieter water in the distance so I headed for the lumpiest waves I could see. Wasn't too bad but enough for a little fun...

About six miles all in but who cares, I've paddled with Dolphins :)

The Silver Trail...

Another fab day but there is a stiff offshore breeze as I get ready to leave Porth Trecastell on Anglesey, today I'm heading for Silver Bay on Holy Island, Sounds impressive but it's the shortest Island hop I've ever done...

Rock hopping heaven?

I'm a fair way from shore & I can see the seabed? in fact most of Rhosneigr Bay is very shallow...

Up ahead I can see the Cymyran Straight separating the two Islands, in fact it's so narrow that I only know its there because of the map on the foredeck...

Posing at Silver Bay, this is a stunning, secluded spot to stop at as access is by foot or kayak only...

Heading back out of the bay & I'm nearly making two knots with just the wind on my back...

As yesterday I decide not to hug the shore but to head for the tip of the furthest rock way off in the distance. I hope the strong wind on my back doesn't create to big a following sea...

Doesn't really show in this picture but I had a good following sea & made an easy four & a half knots. Some of the waves were about a foot or so & kept me focussed...

Back into Porth Trecastell & time for some more rolling practice. I make three decent rolls on three attempts & without getting an 'ice cream head', I'm either getting used to this or the waters getting warmer???

In all the GPS said 7.5 Nautical Miles, I can live with that :)

A Beacon Of Hope...

Another fabulous sunny day, I'm getting a bit jammy with the fab weather up here in North Wales. I haven't been Idle the last couple of day's either, they were just training sessions for my around Wales trip & not worth Blogging. I've promised myself to practice rolling every day & without using a nose clip. Tuesday I had a splash about in Trwyn Y Penrhyn & yesterday in Bull Bay. The rolls are coming along nicely(ish)...

Having done a reccae from the cliff top I had a fair idea what to expect as I headed out of Borthwen, on a calm day like this you can clearly see the currents & eddys on the water, & they can hit 4 knots through here...

 Had to go in, I can't resist a cave...

Time for a rest at Trearddur Bay, felt like summer until I waded into the water (Brrrrr), not looking forward to rolling practice later ...

Back underway & I decide not to hop from headland to headland & to just aim for the furthest cutting out several bays. Despite heading into the dying flood tide I still made just over 4 knots...

 I chose to head out to & around Rhoscolyn Beacon & hoped the turning tide didn't throw up any surprises in the overfall however unlikely that was...

Cheesy does it!

The Tower marking the entrance back into Borthwen. Bloody great, thats gonna mean more rolling practice (Ice cream head here I come) :(

Not a huge paddle, about 7 miles all in but a great day out that's left me hungry for more, hmmm, where too next???

Puffin Island...

Today's route & I'm playing it safe. There's monster tides running today, Probably the biggest of the year so the tides will be running at quite a pace. Back home in South wales I would be quite happy as I know my local stretch, but around here I ain't so sure. I plan to leave three hours before high water pushing against the tide by staying close to shore & then to ferry-glide across to the Island. I do this as I don't want to be pushing against the tide on the way back just incase I can't make it. It's a short route, just five miles from Trwyn Y Penrhyn around Puffin Island & Back. Hope I've judged the tides right, there's some nasty overfalls near to the Island...

 The scenery around here is amazing, I've rather fallen in love with this beautiful Island...

First sight of Puffin Island & I'm watching to see what the sea is upto, feeling a bit apprehensive as it can hit 4 knots between the mainland & the Island on tides like today's...

Approaching Twryn Du Lighthouse I can see that the water is moving but can't tell how fast? I push out into the flow feeling as I go. Turns out it ain't to bad & only a slight ferry-glide was required...

 Nearly there, I'm happy to get the camera out soon as I pass the main flow...

I spot a Seal by the rock & paddle closer, Turns out it was not alone as I was surrounded by about 20 Seals. I try taking a shot as one comes right along side me when I'm shaken by a whack, another Seal was trying to get onto the back of my kayak! Where as I'm quite happy being around Seals I really didn't fancy a capsize so I push on...

 I'm followed by a group of Seals along the length of the Island, I chance getting the camera out again & this lovely Lady? popped along side...

As I passed a large group of Seals on the beach some of them, big bull Seals got in the water to investigate. I gave them a wide berth...

The trip back to my van without incident & I enjoyed practicing my forward paddling stroke into the slight headwind :)