High Hopes...

I met up with Jules today at Sully with high hopes of cramming a lot of top destinations in before full darkness fell. I'd planned to leave on the early flood & get us back to Sully before twilight fell into the full black of night.

In short the plan was to spend a couple of hours on Steep Holm, nip across to Flat Holm & then follow the fading flood out to Monkstone lighthouse before heading back in the fading light.

Game on.

 Passing Flat Holm on the way out to Steep Holm.

Still a fair few miles left to Steep Holm & the sea's picking up. It's supposed to be sea state 3 but mid channel it's sea state 4 & quite playful.

There were some impressive swells approaching Steep Holm & strangely smooth too, I was expecting clapotic waves here?

Getting Choppier on the South West side of the Island as the tide raced around its rocky obstacle.

 I'm having fun.

 As the waves roll past.

 Yeehaa!

 First contact for Jules & he's looking quite chuffed about it :D

I bring too much stuff, though the camp stove was a good idea, hot coffee & tomato soup, mmmmm.

After a fab couple of hours exploring we both seal launched from the top of the beach, Yeehaa!

It was a fairly straightforward crossing to Flat Holm. The current was running quite strong so I had to line the end of the island up with features on the mainland to get my ferry angle right, though I run a little less angle than required as I knew from experience here that we'd make it. It's only a half hour crossing & you can nip into the lee of the island if you did overshoot. No such probs today.

A quick coffee & we were lining up our second seal launch of the day. Shit I love my crazy life :D

 Jules mis slide.

 Weeeeeeeeee

 My turn :D

Back on the water & basking in the gorgeous evening light we set course for Monkstone Lighthouse.

 Leaving Flat Holm behind.

 We're pinching ourselves by now, the light is stunning & very atmospheric.

 I couldn't resist nipping up the lighthouse.

 Looking down at Jules who's looking at the paddle back to the mainland.

 Did I mention I don't like heights? I kept a very firm grip on the ladder!

The photos really don't do this part of the trip justice, it was a very special paddle back to Sully.

 Watching as the sun slowly sank on the horizon.

The multiple hue's of the sea changing from deep blue to magenta under the burnt orange of last light.

We arrived back in near darkness, looking behind it was dark but the Western horizon still clung to the fading twilight.

About 16 miles roughly. I travelled blind as I forgot to put fresh batteries in my GPS, relying instead on gut feeling, instinct & past experience, it somehow added to the magic of what was a totally awesome day out with a good mate :D