A Windswept Isle of Man

This being the earliest Easter for many years I should have not been surprised at the weather we encountered on this kayaking trip to the Isle of Man. Having booked the high speed ferry from Liverpool the Isle of Man Steam Packet Co. contacted me a further two times to inform me of changes to the crossing due to forecast winds of up to force 10 in the Irish Sea. Peter, Glen, Chris and I eventually left on the overnight boat from Birkenhead and after a gut churning crossing we disembarked and took breakfast at 'The Caff' in Douglas.

The wind had not abated so we started our tourist trail with a look at Calf Sound. With huge waves breaking onto the jagged shoreline there was clearly no paddling to be done here today. It was unlikely we could have taken our kayaks from the roof racks without causing injury to ourselves or damage to the boats or cars.

The chilly arctic blast blew us to what would become our base for the trip. 'Ballabrooie' is home to the Tastagh family and the base for Keirron's 'Adventurous Experiences' kayaking, climbing and coasteering business. As ever we were given a warm welcome washed down with plenty of tea.

Eager to make the most of the day and to stave off inactivity we headed inland to view the Island from its highest peak. Snaefell stands 621 metres and offers splendid views over much of the Isle of Man, and beyond to Northern Ireland, Scotland, England and Wales.

In search of more maritime entertainment we returned to the coast at Peel where we stumbled upon a bunch of surfers and kayakers relishing the arctic conditions.

Saturday brought a little in the way of change in the relentless north or northwesterly winds. With a decrease to force 5-7 we decided to have a go at some of the east coast. Following an aborted attempt to paddle south from Port Mooar we decided more shelter would be better found further south at Port Grenaugh. Peter and I paddled northeast to Port Soderick and beyond to Little Ness. The Rockhopping and squally down draughts from the tall cliffs kept us entertained for the remainder of the afternoon.

Easter Sunday Peter and I felt that the wind had abated enough for us to make our way around the low lying Langness Peninsula, across Castletown Bay and into Port St Mary. After an easy start with plenty of enjoyable rockhopping and some fun in the overfalls the finish was to become one of the coldest and most testing paddles I have done for some considerable time. Whilst crossing Bay ny Carrickey we were tenderised by squally force 6+ winds with sleet and hail. Relief at arriving in the comparative shelter of Port St Mary was marred by the painful procedure of removing my frozen fingers from my paddle.

Monday brought the four of us together to repeat the paddle from Port Grenaugh to Little Ness and back and indulge further rockhopping adventures. The wind strength and direction had not changed giving us precious little option and as the afternoon wore on gusty down draughts became an increasing feature in the day's entertainment.

Keirron had been kind enough to spare us an arctic survival course and rather than leaving us to camp in the field he allowed us to stay in what will be his new lecture room. This gave us the opportunity to get warm and dry, enjoy a reasonably comfortable existence and enjoy the results of Peter's culinary expertize.

Before leaving for the ferry on Tuesday morning we chipped in with some Polish style 'flying labour' to help out with the completion of the lecture room.

There are more pictures from the NWSK Easter trip to the Isle of Man here.

Double Trouble up North

Its all Glen's Fault!

He asked me if I would help him test drive a sea kayak that he had his eye on. Glen is planning to do some sea kayak racing in the forth coming season and believes he has located a suitable craft. This 'Orcadian 2' kayak needs two people! I sometimes paddle an Aleut 2 double kayak which is big, stable, maneuverable and forgiving.

I'm not sure if it was the adverse weather conditions, the unusual nature of the craft, Glen's inexperience at the helm or a combination, but our short sea trial at Newbiggin ended with a broken rudder cable and a sense of "Phew!" when we landed through the short dumping surf. Afterwards we were treated to a tour of the local lifeboat station where we gained a sense of, "Don't worry, we had you covered!"

We left the boat for the potential vendor to nurse back to health and headed even further north to the new bunkhouse at Chatton Park Farm. The bunkhouse comes well recommended, especially as there is a fine pub only 10 minutes walk away.

We failed to generate a substantial hangover so following a rigorous pre-breakfast constitutional, hearty breakfast and short drive to Boulmer we engaged the sea once more.

The morning's conditions favoured a journey north until lunchtime when the turn of tide would lead us to head south and finish where we started. Our first stop was Craster, famous for Kippers, but also has a pub and a quaint harbour.

Dunstanborough Castle stands mighty and strikes fear into the hearts of potential invaders. We moved on.....

Low Newton has a pub so friendly and well stocked with fine ales and food that we couldn't bear to stand in the lengthy queue. We settled for a couple of mouldy flapjacks from my drybag and some tepid coffee from Glen's thermos.

We made haste on the return to Boulmer for fear we might be ravaged by the approaching boisterous weather and the farmer had warned us that his cows like to nuzzle wing mirrors on the cars parked in his conveniently positioned field.

NWSK Pre-Season Meet

A Great way to begin plotting and scheming trips for the coming spring and summer months is to have a bit of a get together with your mates. The best venue to be found so far is the 'Anglesey Outdoors' centre. There are plenty of varying paddling areas suitable for different paddling abilities allowing for most weather conditions. There is also a homely bar called 'The Paddlers Return'.

The Paddlers Return Bar makes for a suitable rendez-vous for meeting up on the Friday evening. Following a hearty breakfast in the centre we split into 3 groups. One group went to the Menai Straits I paddled with another group from Moelfre on the east coast hoping for shelter from the force 7-8 winds. The remaining paddlers remained land bound with walking boots as their weapons of choice for the day.
I was indulging in some rockhopping on the return from Red Wharf Bay to Moelfre when I edged that bit too far on a sharp turn. My surprise at losing balance on flat water led to woefully inadequate attempts at high brace and roll. Whilst I was gasping for air and rapidly losing dignity my paddling pals were gathering with laughter and cameras.

The evening entertainment was splendid as ever! Snowie created a hearty 3 course meal for us, which was followed by an excellent slide show provided by Kev. Kirstine is to hold the 'Polish Association of Reluctant Paddlers - Award for Aquatic Excellence' for a lengthy swim near to Ardnamurchan last summer.

Before leaving Anglesey on Sunday some of us headed off to Bull Bay whilst others took the easier option of engaging some terrific surfing conditions a Trearddur Bay.

Expedition Planning

I spent the last weekend at the Paddlesports Expedition Symposium at Plas y Brenin. The weekend was a series of practical workshops and seminars covering the many aspects of planning an expedition that might escape the attention of event the more experienced canoeists and kayakers.
My first session was all about staying healthy on expeditions. Water purification, jabs, malaria avoidance and how to do what bears do in the woods were all covered in fine style by Loel Collins.
There were slide shows and talks and further workshops on expedition photography, first aid and even dealing with fatalities too. At an open 'experts corner' session in the bar I managed to corner Ollie Sanders and pick his brains on the subject of logistics as I am planning a return to Greenland in the next couple of years.
Day two was largely spent on the bushcraft sessions which covered the safe use of a knife and basic woodcraft skills. We put some of these skills into practice splitting and carving hazel staves into apparatus suitable for grilling fish.
Following a splendid demonstration we followed suit and gutted the fish and grilled them over a fire whist cooking small buns in a dutch oven.
The loaves and fishes proved too much and so the left overs were fed to the 5000 (or so) hungry paddlers nearby.There are some more photos from the weekend here.

Canoexpo 2008

The golden winter sunshine outside kept me longing to be outdoors but I had decided long before that I wanted to use Canoexpo as an opportunity to catch up with some old friends and hopefully make some new ones too.

My offer of help to Pesda Press with their shared stand with book distributors, Cordee was greatfully received and I got the chance to meet some happy recipients of the 'Welsh Sea Kayaking' guide. The Cordee / Pesda Press stand had an open and informal feel and was busy throuought the weekend with people taking the opportunity to browse over the huge selection of guides, maps and manuals.

Amongst the crew at the stand were other Pesda Press authors & staff, from left to right: Peter Wood (Pesda Press), Gordon Brown (author of Sea Kayak), Me (author of Welsh Sea Kayaking), Franco Ferrero (Pesda Press) and Derek Hairon (author of Sit-on-Top Kayak).

Arnside in the sunshine

This is the third time I have visited the pleasant seaside town of Arnside in as many months but until this time the weather had always been quite gloomy. This time the sun came out which makes a wonderful difference. Arnside is beside the estuary of the river Kent in the northeast corner of Morecame Bay. There is an abundance of wildlife to be seen here and the fishing is good here too. One of the famed activities here is barefoot flounder fishing. I have been told tales about wading around in the shallow water feeling for flounder in the soft sand and mud and cathching them by hand.

We Paddled from the promenade beach out with the gently flowing water from the River Kent. Heading out towards the outer reaches close to Blackstone Point we saw plenty of cormorants, redshank, turnstone and herons.

A disturbance on the still waters in the distance was the first sign that the 'bore' was on its way. The wave was less than a foot in height and moving a little more than a brisk walking pace. Birds that had been bobbing around on the calm waters took to the air everywhere around us as we turned to surf the surging incoming tidal wave.

After spending some time surfing the standing waves under the railway viaduct we headed north up the estuary in search of serenity in the upper tidal reaches of the River Kent before returning to Arnside on the early ebbing tide in time for fish and chips and a cup of tea.

Riverdance - biscuits on the beach!

On the way to Arnside I left the M6 and headed off towards Blackpool's North Shore where the ill fated ro-ro ferry 'Riverdance' lies stranded like a steel whale. I wandered accross the sands towards the bow and got closer than the coastguards and security team wanted me to. I have travelled by ferry many times to Ireland and France and these monsters seem so solid and elegant in their own way. To see 'Riverdance' half on her side like this seems quite surreal.

There was no further sign of the biscuits that were washed up along the shore but I have it on good authority that there are not likely to be any deaths due to starvation amongst the Blackpool and Cleveleys seagull population this month.

Hilbre Island

A welcome window in the recent unsettled spell of weather prompted me to meet up with Barry and go for a paddle in what is effectively his back yard. Hilbre Island lies at the mouth of the Dee Estuary close to West Kirby. Hilbre seems to get invaded by anything, anyone in spite of tide and weather. Below half tide it is possible to get to Hilbre on foot. It is possible to get there by kayak only 2 hours either side of high water, and even then you need a spring tide for extra depth over the many sandbanks.

Hilbre and the other nearby low lying islets are nature reserves and important sites for wading birds and wildfowl. Barry and I were careful not to disturb the many wading birds that roost here when high water covers the mudflats and sandbanks upon which they feed.

The sea was flat pretty much flat throughout the day except at the end of the island where there are overfalls and some surprisingly choppy conditions.

We landed briefly on the island before setting off to return to West Kirby leaving plenty of time before the tide went out. As we arrived at the marine lake it seemed like a typical Sunday afternoon for the local folk out for a walk along the promenade and lake wall.

Yr Eifl - The Hills of the Lleyn Peninsula

Last summer I managed to share my passion for the Lleyn Peninsula with the readers of 'Summit' magazine, the journal of the British Mountaineering Council. The Lleyn Peninsula is the part of north Wales that juts out into the Irish Sea just to the south of Anglesey. Not only is there a stunning and varied coastline but there is a treasure trove of hills. Explore this peninsula, you will not be dissapointed, indeed you'll find a return visit hard to resist.

I have wrote one article about kayaking around the Lleyn for 'Ceufad', the journal of the Welsh Canoeing Association and another for 'Paddles' magazine. More importantly I eventually consolidated my knowledge of the north Wales coast with my contribution to the 'Welsh Sea Kayaking' guidebook.

So it was a great pleasure to have an article published in a magazine that entertains a completely different readership. You can read the article here, download the whole of 'Summit' issue 47 here, and view a wider selection of photos here.

Enjoy!

New Year Adventures

Once Christmas is over and done with it time to take proper advantage of the seasonal holidays and head for the hills. Following a pleasant walk in the Longdendale valley in the Peak District, Ian and I headed off to North Wales to meet up with a few others. On the way to our bolt hole in the heart of the Snowdonia National Park we stopped off in the Vale of Clwyd for a spot of white water kayaking on the river Elwy. This is a scenic river unburdened by the stresses of many of the classic whitewater runs in the national park. It is still sad to see all of the "No Canoeing" signs. One would have thought the in this day and age of forward thinking and tolerance that mankind could find a way that our beautiful countryside could be shared for the many, not just kept for the privileged few. The weather was foul and nobody came to challenge our 'trespass'.

With kayaks well secured to the roof of the car we moved on to Capel Curig where we made our temporary home in the Siabod Longhouse. A solid evening of re-acquaintance fed by a large pot of polish Bigos all washed down with a beer or two preceeded a good nights sleep.

The next morning's weather forecast promised clear skies. This prompted an assault on the north ridge of Tryfan and Bristly Ridge.

Alas, the weatherman had it quite wrong and halfway up Tryfan mist came in and it began to rain. Rock became so slippery we may as well have been climbing with roller skates!

The prospect of scrambling up Bristly Ridge no longer seemed fun so we drove to Anglesey in search of better weather and a possible sunset.
The Siabod Longhouse is a short walk from the Tyn y Coed Inn, which serves fine ales has a pool table and a Jukebox. What more do you need for evening of entertainment?

Following the previous day's washout Chris and I made for the coast of the Lleyn Peninsula and enjoyed a pleasant walk along part of the newly opened Lleyn Peninsula Coastal Path. while others went mountain biking.

New Year's Eve seemed quieter than last year in the Tyn y Coed Inn but the celebrations were rounded off nicely with a terrific firework display, closely followed by another display from the near by Cobdens Hotel.

Before the New Year's Day hangover could kick in Chris and I scurried off the climb Snowdon in the mist and drizzle. Without rucksacks and associated clobber we made a quick job of it.
With only the inside of a big cloud for a view we made swift our descent. Before long we were heading back to Manchester along the A55 listening to football commentary on the radio. The next day would see me back in the office, back down to earth with a bump.

Christmas Shopping Avoidance Failure!

During a brief moment of madness gifts were bought, wrapped and delivered.

..but fortune favours the brave and before long normal service was resumed.

The golden views over the Macclesfield Forest from the summit of Shutlingsloe were broadly presented to all those who made this their traditional Boxing Day pilgrimage.

Christmas Shopping Avoidance #3

Kirstine has been studying Buddhist meditiation for just under a year now and in the midst of Manchester's madness went on a retreat at the Manchester Buddhist Centre.

Today, Manchster shoppers have been slogginig it out for those final prezzies and Manchester United have been playing host to Everton. This combined with icy roads has spawned traffic chaos.
What better way of escaping the commerial riot and find a calmer, more peaceful level from which to view the world.

Christmas Shopping Avoidance #2

Those who participate in seasonal madness are finding themselves in the home strait of the Christmas shopping race. In the meantime Kirstine and I decided to go to Wetherby in search for a Christmas Adventure. There is an artificial nordic ski track laid through illuminated woodlands. There is also a cafe, a christmas shop and an ice rink.

The ski trail runs through an enchanted wood with strange illuminated creatures and characters from fairy tales.

Although we couldn't get hold of any mulled wine, we did manage to have a hot chocolate break between circuits of the 1 kilometre trail. The only downside was the rush hour traffic across the Pennines on the way home.

Christmas Shopping avoidance #1

Whilst almost everyone in the mad mad world was dashing around crowded shops. I headed off for a whistle stop tour of north Wales. My first port of call was Holyhead where I dropped off my long suffering double kayak for some much needed repairs. Mike Webb and his crew at Rockpool Kayaks are sure to give the very best of treatment.

I have been missing some of my friends from north Wales recently as I have been so busy exploring the shores of northern England. I was eager to catch up with Barry Shaw before he set off for his trip to circumnavigate New Zealand's south island with Justine Curgenven. After being treated to a splendid roast dinner and done all the catching up I could handle, I headed off into the night to meet up with some friends from North West Sea Kayakers staying near Pwllheli.

In true NWSK outdoor & adventure style we engaged in a pre-christmas retail frenzy avoidance weekend. Kev and Gill organized a wonderful cottage near Pwllheli in north Wales. I arrived later than expected and was roundly ticked off by Cap'n Roscoe.

Following a frosty night we scraped the ice from our cars and made our way to Abersoch for a trip to the St Tudwal's Islands. The sky was clear, the air crisp and the sunshine typically golden in its low winter placing. The islands were unusually quiet as during the summer months they are bustling with birdlife.

Following the tour round the islands we made our way across to the surf beach at Porth Ceiriad. Following some tentative surf landings with questionable dignity we tucked into an assortment of seasonal fayre all washed down with with a cupful of warm mulled wine before returning to Abersoch.

Kev and Gill led the assault on Tesco's in Porthmadog and returned with the ingredients for a delightful and hearty evening meal. Having eaten Garlic Bread, Baked Camembert, Beef stew and roasted veg and Apple crumble, only a relatively small amount of alcohol sent us into a lengthy night long slumber.

The next morning we headed off for the north coast of the Lleyn. We started at the small inlet at Porth Ysgaden. There is plenty of rockhopping along this intriguing stretch of coastline.

There was even a small beach with enough surf for some good rides in the winter sunshine. We continued to weave and dodge our way along towards Porth Dinllaen stopping at a small sheltered cove for lunch. All done, we headed back to Porth Ysgaden by a more direct offshore route in order to catch the best of the ebb tide.

What a terrific way to stay far from the madding Christmas crowds - Recommended!

For more photos click here!