Testing Times...

Back in South wales & I wanted to paddle out to Flat Holm to see how how my shoulder injury is doing. I was in quite a lot of pain after the trip to Skomer last week & with a paddle around Wales on the cards my Shoulder is making me nervous.

On the plus side I got some new kit to try out too...

Time for a bit of posing in the gorgeous sunshine sporting some new chillcheater clothing, Sea Specs & a Playboater Deck...

I can see standing waves on the causeway at Sully (OK their little), bit its good fun & practice to surf on. Heading around the West tip of the island was good fun too as there were big waves to crash through as normally happens during mid flow on the incoming tide...

Approaching the Wolves it was clear that the tide was moving faster than I thought, no prob, I lined up the Wolves & the lighthouse on Flat Holm & ferry glided over. In fact I had a lightbulb moment as I had to use instinct once I'd passed the Wolves but If I had a deck compass I could of kept to on my transit heading (more Spending I think)...

Incredible calm on the way out, chilled out would be an understatement as the weather was filling me with serenity...

 Leaving flat holm I head straight for Lavernock on the slack tide...

 Approaching Lavernock Outfall its clear that the tide has turned, more ferry glide practice...

 Getting ready for more rolling practice at Sully, hope this Chillcheater stuff keeps me warm!!!

Just a short hop of around 10 miles but at least the shoulder held up & the chillcheater stuff was fab...

Third Time Lucky...

A day of persistance, Me & Stuart (Of Mayday Fame(LOL), more about that later) decide to paddle from  Solva to St Brides via Green Scar & Stack Rocks...

A quick Eskimo Roll to get my groove...

(TAKE 1) ~ Doesn't look like from these images but it was well rough out of the harbor & we were likely to take a pasting so we reluctantly decide to look for a calmer stretch of water to put in...

(TAKE 2) ~ We head to Broad Haven to try again...

We played in the surf for a bit but it looked a little lumpy past the waves so decided to head back to St Brides by van...

(TAKE 3) ~ On arriving back at St Brides we bump into some local tour guides (Sea Kayak Guides) taking people out to Skomer for the night & they kindly let us tag along...

Nice big swell on the first stretch with the other kayakers seemingly coming & going as the waves moved past...

We surf into Musselwick Sands, think Stuarts getting the hang of it. Is that a smile or a grimace?

After a brief break we get back underway, huddled up having a chat I nearly pissed myself laughing. One of the clients, a lady from bath recognized 'Seakayaking-Stuart' from the mayday article on UK rivers guide website. Thats the second person today (LOL)...

Crossing Jack Sound, thankfully without incident. The southern part was much rougher with the wind in the south but the Northern tip of the sound was kind to us today...

After a brief break we headed back into following sea's that kept us on our toes. A few porpoises popped up right in front of Stuarts boat but he was unable to get a picture. Thought he'd be better than that after ribbing me for not taking pictures of the Dolphins I saw on the Lleyn Peninsular (LOL)...

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...