Severn Triangle...

I'd have like to have stayed in bed this morning (just a little longer) but the unusual good weather coaxed me out of my slumber at 0500 to get ready for a dawn paddle across to Steep Holm then Flat Holm before returning to Sully.

 I arrived a little too early at Sully but that was fine as I hate rushing!

 The conditions were idyllic as I push off & make my way across the causeway towards the Western end of Sully Island.

 The sun was rising near to Flat Holm.

 I turn & pause for a moment to take in the sight.

 Then on to Steep Holm some 6½ miles away through the strong currents of the Severn.

I turned course for this image, my actual bearing was some way to the right as I'd set off at peak flow.

 It seemed to take ages to ferry across the tide but eventually I got here & made my way to the beach for a brief rest & a peanut butter & jam sarnie :)

 It was near to high water when I arrive & there wasn't a great deal of beach left to land on!

 I didn't hang around long, the tides were quite strong today so I headed over to Flat Holm in the last hour of the flood.

 I find the short distance between the islands can be a real pain when the currents ebbing strongly so I was glad I left when I did using the flood tide to get me there with just a little ferrying.

I aimed for the Western side to get to my landing spot on the Easter side & was holding a good 8-9KMH most of the way. A luxury after working hard  to hit 5½KMH on the first leg to Steep Holm.

 Again I chose to have just a short break here as the tide still hadn't turned.

I left in the last 10 minutes of the flood hoping to make ground towards Lavernock. I wasn't going to Lavernock, just using the last of the flood & slack water period to get myself upstream for when the tide turned so I wouldn't have to ferry so much on the way back to Sully.

 I pass the jetty heading for Castle Rock.

 As usual there a little tide here pushing me through.

 The only person I saw all day.

 Looking towards the mainland, still seems a long way off.

 I need to put some distance between me & the island.

 My early departure worked a treat! Often I struggle to hit the Wolves buoy on the way back from Flat Holm but instead I was well upstream at Lavernock Outfall buoy. Thats Sully Island just behind it.

 The tide had turned by the buoy so I change course & head towards Sully with the tide giving me a useful push. I hit 11KMH for a time :)

 Before I know it I hit Sully & land by the steps as the beach is still covered by tide.

I was glad I got out of bed after all :)

Postman Pat Saves The Day...

I should have known the idyllic weather we had yesterday wouldn't last & my plans for a pre dawn paddle out to Flat Holm were a tad ambitious. 

 Myself & Sean Hurrel arrived at the Captains Wife in Sully at 05:30 to be ready to hit the water for 06:00. I wasn't liking the forecast though! With a Southerly Force 4-7 & moderate sea state predicted it would be pushing it a bit in the daylight but we were setting off in the dark!

 Luckily Chris Evans was late, very late! I was pretty relieved actually as we could do something less committing & have more fun!

 Postman Pat finally arrives & at speed too probably to make up for his tardiness?

 We finally hit the water at 07:00 but the tide is right in & making for a tricky launch. Sean finds a tiny bit of beach to launch off.

 Myself & Chis opt for the normal launch spot but the water is right against the steps & bouncing off the surrounding walls.

 We'll have to get into our boats from the water, self rescue style.

 Inevitably Chris gets wet :)

Sorry Chris ;)

 I suggest he swims his boat out to sean on his towline so he can get some help climbing back in.

 Worked a treat :)

 My turn next. I wait for  some calmer swells & hop on.

 Leaving my legs out till i'm clear of the shore, phew!

 It was looking quite bouncy on the causeway, definitely not Flat Holm weather. I'm glad Chris was late.

 The sunrise was lovely but dark clouds were gathering.

 A quick stop for Mr evans to pack his towline away & empty his boat.

 The back of the island was choppy & the tide was very high. I could have paddled over a ledge that normally sits above water level. I've never seen it that high before!

 I get too close to the cliff & get covered in spray! :)

 Time to hit the tide race.

 The tide race was looking playful & Sean gets stuck in.

 Vanishing occasionally.

 Mr Evans doesn't look so keen?

 But gets stuck in anyway.

 For a bit.

 Then legs it for the calmer water :)

 We finished with a quick play on some small standing waves that had formed on the causway. Just enough to put a smile on our faces :)

Two Virgins For The Monk...

Finally after weeks of bad weather & not being free on the days that the wind did die down a little I finally got to go for a paddle :)

 I made my way to Penarth to meet up with Chris & John for a paddle out to the Monkstone & Flat Holm.

 Chris was in his new boat, a Dagger Exodus.

 We left Penarth keeping a far off buoy at 45° off our right shoulder as its a steep angle across the tide to Monkstone.

The Bristol Channel has the second highest tidal range in the World! Today it was a 13.9M range.

 We left Penarth mid ebb so I knew we would probably have to go around or over Cardiff Grounds, a big sandbank. We chose to go around to reach Monkstone.

 The tide was ripping as we got closer so we steepened our angle a bit & ferry"d the final stretch to the rock.

We were near to low water, arrive here at high water & the lighthouse looms straight out from the sea.

 I overcome/ignore my fear of heights & scramble up the ladder to the top of the lighthouse. It looks a long way down!

 Muppets!

The view from the top.

 Steep Holm (on the left) & Flat Holm in the distance.

 We have a short break before commencing on to Flat Holm 3 miles away.

 Enjoying the tranquil scenery.

 45'ish minutes later we reach Flat Holm & have a well earned rest.

 I hand Chris my camera & pose for a shot :)

 Man talk!

 And Man Love?

 Chris is happy with his new boat!

 We don't linger to long as we don't want to be ferrying across the tide too steeply. We leave 15 minutes after the tide turns & follows the early flood in the direction of Lavernock. We don't plan to get there, its just a ferry angle (13.9M tidal range remember!).

 I look back as we leave the islands behind.

 And then forwards as we approach the finish at Penarth.

And the end of an awesome day :)

All going to plan I'll be back on Flat Holm again tomorrow doing a pre dawn paddle from Sully to get there. The weather however is looking dubious at the moment. Fingers crossed!