Rich pickings

Only Rich was available for a paddle last Saturday, and he opted for Trearddur Bay to Rhoscolyn - a pleasant evening bimble down the coast with following wind and mostly favourable tide (even though its general trend was in the opposite direction, on flood).

Surprisingly lumpy in some spots (hence no photos en route), but fun nonetheless - though we chickened out of some of the rock hopping (no helmets being our excuse).

Fine and calm at Rhoscolyn:

Balancing work and play

A combination of strong winds, availability of kayaking partners, and other commitments seems to have meant that I have spent far too much time off the water over the last few weeks.

Much of that time has been spent in the workshop making paddles (can't really complain at this), but it did occur to me that if I was just sitting around sometime, I could maybe sit on a Greenland Balance Stool.

This is the prototype made from Japanese oak - which was a windowsill in its last incarnation (and an expensive packing case before that).

Seems to work pretty well for me, but Catherine and Emma think it is too easy to balance - but then, they tend to find most seakayaks relatively stable.

Is it a commercial product, and if so, at what price?

Underwear the bridge goes

Construction now has its own blog at Anglesey Boat

Usually, arranging a trip for more than two boats, is a guarantee of a slow start to the day, but everyone was early in terms of collecting kit and kayaks, and we rather beat the tide to Gallows Point - still, good to have a relaxing start.

Bimbled along in the direction of Menai Bridge.....

past this house that we once thought of buying - well just the old bath-house in the middle really - wonder how high the tide gets on a big spring?

Heading into Menai Bridge, and although we are still early in terms of the tide, you could be forgiven for thinking that it had already changed (look at the way the boats are lying).

Traditional stop for tea at Porth Daniel - with an extra treat from Tim of Ice-creams.

Lots of jelly-fish in the straits, and one rather large fellow (Lion's Mane?) next to our boats.

Met John Willacy on his way back from playing on the Swellies wave, who mentioned that the bridge was festooned with bras as part of a fundraiser for MacMillan Cancer Support.

As we paddled abreast of the bridge, you could see what was suspended there

Relaxed lunch stop East of Nelson, then rode the tide all the way to Foel - it was like paddling in the Med, with warm sea, blue skies and good company. James had not been in a kayak for about 3 years, but easily paddled the 18k.

Sea-sickness can be bullocks

A casual evening paddle from Cable bay to Aberffraw and back at the end of another hot sunny day - well, that was the plan.

The weather had rather closed in by the time we got to Cable bay

and from the shore, it looked pretty calm. The wind was blowing SE3/4 on the East Coast and SW3 on the West coast. Once we were on the water, the waves seemed to be responding to both, and you had to concentrate to make sure your paddle actually entered the water rather than a hole. Pretty soon Emma was suffering from Sea-sickness (luckily Tim was not on this trip) so when we stopped at 'The Church In The Sea' (St. Cwyfan's) she opted to walk back along the coast via some neat onlookers.

Rich was happy enough to paddle the double by himself, so we set off

The sea was a little calmer a first, but there was quite a big swell running into the beach at Aberffraw. Rich did comment that there was a lot of 'white' flashing along the beach, but I reckoned we could get ashore safely, paddle up the river, and get Emma to come and pick us up. Of course, everything went to plan - the landing was so exciting that Rich reckoned his heart-rate only got back to near normal about half way up the river, and Emma had no phone reception - still, a nice evening for a walk...............

Granny Wales

Construction now has its own blog at Anglesey Boat

Sunday (23rd) was an odd day that ended well with a casual paddle out to Pilots for a picnic on the beach.

Des (new to kayaking) found the red capella rather twitchy, and did well to stay in the boat and learn to use a stick.

Catherine (first trip since hip replacement) had the luxury of an inboard power unit.

and I was just glad to be on the water.

We toasted 'Granny Wales' with champagne (thanks Emma)

before eating burgers and sausages courtesy of Des.

Very calm conditions on the return trip, with the moon reflected in the sea.

A special evening, in a special place - and time for private thoughts ....

Mist the tide

Planned a trip suitable for beginners this week - Traeth Lligwy to Moelfre and back (about 8k) - very sheltered with a light SW wind. Nice sunny day when we left home, but misty at Lligwy.

In the event, we ended up with no beginners, and rather late leaving the beach, but it was easy and relaxed, if a little spooky feeling, on the way to Moelfre lifeboat station

Stopped on the old lifeboat slip - there is a yacht anchored behind me in this picture

which we only noticed when the mist lifted for a while.

Still, good enough venue for tea and butties.

Introduced Will (trainee outdoor pursuits instructor - who only just fitted in the stealth boat) to paddling with a stick on the way back

Talking of such things, this is Rui in Portugal with his new Anglesey Stick

We paid the price for the late start, with the length of the carry back up the beach - whose stupid idea was it to start running?

Sunny but cold at Porth Dafarch

Spent the bank holiday week-end being simultaneously sun burnt and frozen standing (mainly) on the beach at Porth Dafarch during the Anglesey Seakayak Symposium.

Saturday started off pretty slowly, and I think Mike Webb from Rockpool Kayaks may have been our only visitor

but from Saturday afternoon onwards we were pretty busy, with lots of interest in the sticks, and requests for demonstrations (and a few orders).

It was also good to put a face to a few names (Martin Rickard who is using Anglesey Sticks up in Greenland, and Paul Mattock of Cybi Kayakers) and of course the beach was littered with famous (well, in the world of sea kayaking) faces.

and meet some more of the kayak retailers (Nigel seemed to 'never stop' working for Tiderace)

Quite a few paddlers this year who had made their own sticks, or who had at least bought the wood ready ..............

Got a chance to show off the double on Monday afternoon.

and have been convinced to offer the design (compact double) as a bespoke build - details to follow.


Even the beach warden is a kayaker who wants to try a stick.......