St Tudwal's in mid winter

So many outdoor plans have been curtailed or even cancelled due to the weather this winter. Its always a real treat when a break in the winter storms comes just at the right time.

A dusting of snow on the mountains of Snowdonia made the perfect backdrop for a paddle round the St Tudwal's Islands and Trywyn Cilan. The sea was eerily calm but there was enough swell to make us think twice about venturing too deep into the prized caves of the eastern island.

Having spent lunch at Porth Ceiriad we set off to explore Trywyn Cilan. This blocky headland forms the eastern end of Porth Neigwl (Hell's Mouth). The swell was much bigger amongst the gullies and arches and a couple of daring raids in amongst the rock architecture almost got punished.

With sugar coated hills up ahead and darkening skies behind, high spirited paddlers reluctantly turned for home, leaving the sea to be shrouded by the quiet onset of nightfall.

Back at the Tanrallt Mountain centre, a spirit (and haggis) fueled party went on late into the night. As if the paddling were not enough, bar football, pool and 'ping-pong' built the perfect appetite for a belated Burn's supper.

Bad Company - The Zoo (reunited)

Many years ago I was part of a group of under performing outdoor cretins known only by rumour as 'The Zoo'. Paddling, climbing, mountain biking, drinking and general mayhem was our trade but eventually responsibilities got the better of our tomfoolery. Gradually, the animals escaped from 'The Zoo'. Just recently, the prospect of mid life crisis brought us back together for one of those 'one night only' performances. Like Status Quo, these performances may well happen again and again.

River paddling trips traditionally began with a heavy night out to ensure that a heavy hangover could be cultivated. Friday night developed into a long session with hot curry and plenty of beer. The required hangover had been established and was accompanied by a the unmistakable stale odour of unwashed fools.

Eager to rediscover our paddling inadequacies, we headed off to Llangollen to paddle the river Dee. The levels on Saturday were quite sporty and 'Serpent's Tail' was in fine voice.

Ian's line was a little too close to the right for comfort...

Craig took a line close to the left bank depositing some of his boat on the riverbed.

Chris with some 'old school' tricks...

Many will be hoping that this was indeed a 'one night only' get together but plans are already being made for a comeback tour scheduled to begin on a river (and a pub) near you very soon.

The River Goyt at Marple

The river Goyt at Marple give a sporty grade 2-3 run at medium levels following a couple of rainy days. Manchester Canoe Club are based beside the river where they also have their slalom training facility. It is possible to paddle from New Mills or even higher but the most regular run down to the club site is from Brabyn's Park less 2 miles upstream.

Most people use their cars to shuttle boats from the club site to Brabyn's Park but there is a different way which involves some boat carrying and extra paddling.

The Peak Forest Canal runs parallel to the river here. The canal runs across a brick arch aqueduct 100 feet above the river. Where the canal reaches Brabyn's Park there is a steep wooded bank leading down to football pitches and the river Goyt beyond.

The two weirs in Brabyn's Park command respect because they have stoppers with closed ends that can hold a swimmer.

This elegant iron bridge was built in 1813 and was recently restored following a campaign by local residents. The restoration work was funded by a Heritage Lottery grant and completed in June 2008.

After the bridge the river flows beneath a railway viaduct and the aqueduct that carries the Peak Forest Canal. Soon afterwards a series of sporty grade 2-3 rapids lead down to the Manchester Canoe Club site and slalom course.

Festive Paddling

Boxing Day is the traditional day of sport and exercise that follows the fluid and food fueled festival of Christmas.

Kirstine and I joined in the annual Boxing Day paddle organised by Manchester Canoe Club on the River Goyt at Marple.

For competetive types, this event for part of the white water racing calender. For the rest it is simply a leisurely cruise down a couple of miles of scenic and sporty grade 2 river. After all the fun and games on the river we all assembled at the clubhouse for mince pies, tea and tall stories.

Back at home, the playing fields have become very waterlogged following the recent wet and stormy weather. This has brought in flocks of black headed gulls that feed on worms that come to the surface to escape the depths of the sodden turf. This time the black headed gulls have been joined by a number of the less common 'common gulls'.

The recent wet and stormy weather has kept me away from the sea in recent weeks but I couldn't resist the temptation of a paddle on the Menai Straits on the last day of the year. An informal gathering was organised by local paddler John Willacy.

Some of the paddlers donned fancy dress in keeping with the festive spirit...

Menai Chicken...

Anglesey Penguin... (John Willacy collection)

Coastal Gorilla...

Marauding Vikings... (John Willacy collection)

And... erm other worrying sea creatures?

Before heading home we all assembled in the Anglesey Arms at Menai Bridge for a farewell pint and to bid each other a' Happy New Year!' Thanks to John Willacy for organizing this festive get together and thanks to everyone else for their lovely company.

Winter Contrasts

The 'Cat and Fiddle' pub sits on a precarious bend on the 'Cat and Fiddle' road that connects Macclesfield and Buxton. The webcam looks out along the road and across the moors. I have been itching to see if it is possible to ski from the pub to the summit of the nearby Shining Tor.

As soon as Kirstine and I had finished our hot chocolate pre-ski warm up. The weather began to close in.

Un-detterred, we carried on through the wild, wintry blizzard and snowdrifts in search of the junction in the paths where we could head for the (as yet unseen) summit.

When we reached the summit, we headed back down as quickly as possible to escape the fierce wind. Having been skiing in a blizzard for over two hours, I was beginning to worry if the car would be buried and indeed if the road would still be open. We had no shovel!

Back at the pub, our car was fine (if a little camouflaged) and the road was still passable.

On the next day, the weather was much nicer with golden winter sunshine. This looked like a perfect opportunity to visit the Manchester Canoe Club slalom course for some gentle river paddling.

I have borrowed a Pyranha Z One to try out with a view to buying one. The boat is everything I would hope for. It is reasonably forgiving whilst being sporty enough to remind me that river paddling requires some degree of skill.

Landlocked no.2

As strong winds begin to blow winter to the UK shores, I find myself hiding further inland for my paddling. On Saturday I headed for the nearby Bridgwater Canal. I set off early and made it to the 'Barn Owl Inn' just before it opened up. Having battled into a cruel and cold breeze, I settled for a quick cup of tea and an energy bar before heading back.

I was amazed at how easy the return journey was. The ever changing skies were caught between Autumn and Winter. This would be the last of the golden colours for this year.

Sunday brought me to meet up with some of the folk from Liverpool Canoe Club for their pre-Christmas get together. Some went for a trashing in the gale-driven surf at Llandudno. I settled for a quick tour of the lower River Dee, just upstream of Chester.

The river is surprisingly lively with a variety of paddlers, rowers and walker. The pleasure boat trips are still running too.

Autumn Colours on the River Dee

My first river paddling trip since March brought me to Llangollen on the banks of the River Dee in north Wales. The full spread of Autumn colours were laid out from one side of the valley to the other, brought to life by the golden sunshine and a crystal blue sky.

Dave, me and the two Andys arrived in the car park below Llangollen Bridge where we would eventually finish the trip. We started our adventure by carrying our kayaks a short way up the street to the Llangollen Wharf from where the canal provides a scenic paddle up to the Horseshoe Weir, two miles upstream.

Once on the river the fun began. I have really missed the feeling of paddling on rivers and it felt so good to be bouncing along, breaking out into small eddies and surfing friendly waves. The sound of water rushing amongst the jagged rocks and the increase in gradient told us that we were approaching 'Serpents Tail'; the first of the Dee's 'rapids with a reputation'.

This cold deep gorge is where many students and canoe club rookies get their first taste of powerful white water. Soon afterwards the river mellows into a broader part of the valley with beautiful scenery all around. The peace of the river was broken with the approach to Mile End Mill. This popular kayaking and rafting centre is often crowded. This day was no exception. With bank to bank rubber and plastic and no room in the eddies, perhaps it could be possible to walk from one side to the other. We moved on... Another broad stretch lead us towards 'Town Falls' with a string of expectant spectators on Llangollen Bridge (no pressure then). With low water levels the main falls looked tricky. Two of us chose the chicken chute. Of the two that ran the falls, one rolled; both survived.

The final 200 yards led to the car park and the end of our paddling that day. The final decision to be made would be which pub for 'apres paddle' snacks, drinks and embellished tall stories.

Mud-day mud-day mud-day

My last day of guiding at the 6th Storm Gathering sea kayaking event was spent in the Menai Straits. The trip went well with Steve and I dispensing a string of 'top tips' as we paddled from Gallows Point towards the Swellies. We soon realised that by the time we would arrive back at Gallows Point it would be low tide revealing 400 metres of muddy shore.



Steve and I dropped the group at an easier landing beside the Gazelle Hotel. We then continued to Gallows Point to get the van and trailer. I was quietly hoping that we would get away with a shorter carry somehow.



However, the tide has recessed just as much as I had feared. Carrying and dragging the boats across the muddy shore was painfully hard work. We got plastered in mud, and that mud really stinks.

Rock Hopping and Trip Guiding

Strong southerly winds have continued to entertain the storm gatherers on Anglesey throughout this weekend. I have had the pleasure of sharing guiding duties with Greenland expert Martin Rickard and Manchester based coach Richard McEvoy.



The north coast of Anglesey has been the perfect venue for introducing paddlers to these shores.



In the last couple of days we have explored every nook and cranny between Bull Bay and Porth Wen. We have threaded the eye of every needle there is and slotted into caves of all sizes.



Some brave moves left Neil high and dry, and a little embarrassed.



Before landing some have taken the opportunity to do some rolling practice.



...and some have been experimenting with some more unusual paddling techniques.



At the end of each day paddlers have returned with indelible beaming grins.

Storm Gathering Celebration

Following a stunning array of activities on the water, we began the traditional Saturday evening bash. The 'Round the Stacks Quiz' was more than a paddlers pub quiz.

The evening descended into chaotic rapture when Kate Duffus and Justine Curgenven competed for men's underwear whilst bound and blindfolded.

Storm Gathering Eve

Friday before the storm (gathering) saw Paul Kuthe, Tim and I setting off along the cliffs between Bull Bay and Porth Wen. The cliffs gave us shelter from the strengthening southerly wind along with plenty of rock hopping fun.

Paul Kuthe - Paddling coach from Oregon USA

Paul Kuthe - paddling coach from Oregon USA

Just as we set off from the bay, channel 16 crackled out the words "securite, securite, securite" which preceded a gale warning.



We kept our paddling journey short but sweet. That's enough excitement for today. We now wait to see what the Storm Gathering (proper) with have in store.

The Menai Challenge

The Menai Challenge is an open time trial for sea kayakers and is the brainchild of local paddler John Willacy. The standard course runs between the slipway at Gallows Point south of Beaumaris and the slipway near to the Anglesey Sea Zoo across the water from Caernarfon. The advanced course runs between the same points but includes a return lap of The Swellies.



At no point did I believe that I would break any records but I was keen to give it a go to see what time I could manage.


In the end I completed the 21km course in a respectable time of 1 hour, 52 minutes and 49 seconds. A thoroughly enjoyable afternoons paddling. Have a look at the website and give it a go!

Shelter From The Stormy Seas

Yesterday the sea was too rough to go paddling so I went for a refreshing walk along the cliffs that lie either side of Rhoscolyn Head.



The waves were spectacular and the wind whipped up spray and foam high into the air.

Overnight the wind has taken on more of a northerly direction and the drop in temperature is quite marked.



Today I have been paddling in the shelter of the Menai Strait in the company of Pete Baars from the 'Summit to Sea' kayak shop, and Franco Ferrero from 'Pesda Press'.



It seemed as though the weather could not make it's mind up. Short blustery showers were soon followed by dazzling autumn sunshine.




We stopped at 'The Gazelle' hotel for a warming cup of hot chocolate before heading back to Y Felinheli where we had started.