Ramsey Island...

One of the best things about sea kayaking for me is the fab community of paddlers that we have so whilst I am still in Pembrokeshire I jumped at the chance to get out with some friends from the Cardigan Bay Sea Kayakers for a paddle around Ramsey Island. Well that was the plan at least.

I was joining Steve, Niel, Matt, Sue, James (Jim) and my lady who I all know. The new faces for me were Kim and Paul who I hope to paddle with again :)

My lady joined me again for this paddle and she was pretty excited but a little nervous. Maybe I shouldn't have shown her 'This is the sea' dvd with some gnarly conditions at the Bitches!

All was calm as we left Porth Clais and the forecast was pretty decent.

We found a little chop and swell on the open sea but not much. Just enough to have a little concern for the Ramsey area as the tide was gonna hit 4.9 knots at peak flow!

Looking lovely as always :)

Niel Buckland looking at some caves in Ramsey Sound.

Following the mainland coast up Ramsey Sound. Its now looking like we would avoiding the circumnavigation due to tide times as we were being a tad optimistic with the timings.

We decide to explore the mainland coast along Ramsey Sound for now.

The new lifeboat station is taking shape.

The coastline here is just as impressive as the tides!

Just too little water to make it through.

We push on towards Whitesands for lunch.

But decide to land at what I believe is called Porth Meglan. 

After a very unseasonal warm chill out on the beach we push on and start to cross Ramsey Sound.

The bitches look beautiful and we appear to be heading towards them?

Well I say appear as none of us seem sure of our route still, we just follow who's in front?

It makes it kinda fun :)

Again, not quite enough water to go through.

But the locals are sure keeping us entertained :)

We head to the Bitches for some breaking in and out practice. Here Matt drops down onto some flow.

Sue follows next.

Once through we start to play, errrr, I meant practice! Its a good skill to have.

James (Jim) does some breaking in and out.

As the Sun starts to sink we push on,

before ferry gliding back across Ramsey Sound to finish a wonderful and strangely warm November day :)

Bit Of A Bitch!

Another day in Pembrokeshire & me & Stuart decide to brave the Bitches & Paddle from St Justinians to Porthclais. Didn't quite go to plan, we decided to launch from Whitesands but a quick look at the surf & we quickly decided St Justinians would be a much softer option...

A tricky carry to the sea, my Nordkapp only just fit around the turns on the steps...

Heading out to the Bitches & all was going to plan, no scares yet...

Very friendly fulmars, just feet from me. I love Fulmars, mini relations of the Albatross but equally beautiful & graceful. A fly by from a Fulmar stays with you forever...

A brief landing on Ramsey, (O.K.(pee break)...

Posing at the Bitches, the Bitches themselves weren't bad but the sea beyond was looking a bit rough so we decided to scrap Porthclais & head to the North of the Island before crossing back to the mainland...

It was nice & calm near to the Island so I practice some Rolls, The first was sketchy as I sliced the blade but the second was much smoother...

Looking towards Carn Llidi on the mainland...

It was starting to get a bit rough as we approached the North of the island so I put the camera away. As we approached the tip of Ramsey the sea really picked up with a strong tidal flow & confused water. We decided to try & paddle past the worst of the rough water & then ferry glide across till we were out of the worst of the flow. It was a bit touch & go & one hell of an adrenaline rush. Big enough sea's for me at the mo...

Back at St Justinians & we realised that our progress was being watched...