Clear water and sky

Another pleasant evening paddle, this time from Porth Trecastell (Cable Bay) to Porth Terfyn (near Aberffraw). As nearly always, the first section (passing another Porth Terfyn) was lumpier than the general conditions would have suggested

Near Porth Trecastell

but pretty calm after Ynys Meibion, with ample opportunities for rock hopping.

Rich's Stick

Not a bad view from the beach

Porth Terfyn

With plenty of clear water - bit of an idyllic spot really, and felt like paddling in Greece with the sunshine.

Thought this channel was a bit narrow on the way back - especially after losing my transit on the old Anglesey Aluminium chimney

Narrow Channel

About 11km paddled.

A quiet evening out

A warm sunny evening, so Emma and I went for a quiet paddle out to Pilot's Cove. Just before we left the beach, we were warned that "the wind is offshore, you know". Now, you will be pleased to learn that I already has some idea that this was the case. Apart from having checked the forecast, is was - how can I put this - bleeding obvious. Actually, the wind was pretty light (N2/3) - and we were in real sea kayaks (unlike the person issuing the warning), and generally well equipped. Even well offshore, the sea state was only slight.

Llanddwyn, looking towards the Lleyn

Very pleasant paddle in the warm evening sunshine, and some fun rock hopping along the shoreline.

On the return journey, we met a couple of paddlers, heading out. She was clearly a beginner, and he was intent on fishing. They were somewhat further apart than you would have expected.

Do you think we should have told them about the wind?

A Trip of Two Halves

James was keen to take his esteemed Chinese visitor paddling on the Menai Strait. A combination of work and other commitments presented some logistical problems that were solved by Rich meeting us at Pwll Fanogl.

Annie and James leaving Foel

With hot weather and SW2/3 the trip from Foel to Menia Bridge was a relaxed affair, with wind and tide doing almost as much to push the boats along as muscles. Plenty of birds to look at (Curlew, Oystercatcher, Heron, Shellduck), but very quiet otherwise. I wonder how Plas Menai survives when there seems to be so little going on.

Traditional trip with an extra tea stop for Catherine, visit to the Plas Newydd cave, etc, with Rich's Landrover coming into view about the same time as Nelson.

Pasties, sausages and tea on the beach, then a quick re-arrangement of kit for the return leg.

Wind had been building all the time we were stopped, and of course the tide was now ebbing strongly, so paddling back was a bit wet, but fun - just over 9k in an hour - almost exactly a 5 knot average, and well over the 'speed limit' at Felinheli.

Do SeaKayakers Ferry Glide?

A couple of spare hours Thursday afternoon - enough time for a quick blast over to Caernarfon - basically a 2km ferry glide against wind (SW4) and tide (Rich's idea, after he realised that we had never visited by kayak) which was a good workout, and blew the cobwebs away.

Did a tour of the harbour (plenty of grockles), and then down to Plas Menai surfing on the following sea, and testing out a prototype paddle:

Yes, it is ugly, and made of scrap (stitch and glue plywood with a bit of mat and resin), but worked very well, and rather proved Robin Ruddock's theory about Irish paddle profiles.

Tea and scones, and some entertainment from beginner windsurfers and sailing instructors, before starting back to Foel with the tide now ebbing and steepening the waves as the wind picked up and gusted more strongly. A familiar effect as South Westerlies are funnelled into the Menai Strait.

Some of the waves were a bit more challenging than others  - as Rich said, they seemed to be 'hunting in pairs' - but then, that makes it proper sea kayaking.

About 11km paddled in 3 hours door to door.

Too busy for a race

Have been very busy in the workshop with paddle orders, and preparing a batch of sticks for Pete Baars new shop in Valley.

Just managed to get out to see the start of the race last week-end, and Catherine took some pictures from the bridge - all in all, a good effort by organisers and participants.

Excellent link on Mark Tozer's blog about how you tell when someone is drowning.

Race pics

Symposium

Slightly belatedly, some pictures from the Anglesey Symposium.

Anglesey Stick at Porth Dafarch

Much quieter on the beach than previous years, but some familiar stalwarts like Dan from Tiderace

Rich in the Tiderace Xtreme

were in evidence, and a good opportunity to meet some interesting people (for example Robin Ruddock) as well as take a few orders for paddles, and get some feedback on the wobblers.

Monday saw an 'Inuit Games' event

Inuit Games

for which, we had provided a couple of harpoons (with throwing sticks or Norsaqs)

Anglesey Stick Harpoon

Harpoon throwing from a wobbler (I didn't know Colin Charvis was interested in such things)

A strong Easterly wind blew for most of the weekend, so it was possible to be cold and sunburnt at the same time.

The Malltraeth Bore

You will no doubt have heard fearsome accounts of the Malltraeth Bore*, but we overcame our natural trepidation and attempted the 'Cefni Ascent'.

*Catherine even went to one of his lectures - mind, she did not stay long.