Monday 21 January 2013

Trearddur Bay to Rhoscolyn - 20th January 2013

With the air temperature just above freezing and several inches of snow on the ground, I wasn't sure if I was looking forward to this paddle. We parked up by the RNLI slipway in Trearddur and started the usual faff with kit. Nearly every well wrapped-up pedestrian passing by said we "must be mad" - or some words to that effect.


As we were getting ready, a car with a boat on pulled up and we ended up inviting its occupant to join us on our paddle. Norbert, a Pole living in the UK, duly got his first taste of paddling on Anglesey.

The exertion of getting into drysuits and carrying the boats down to the beach soon warmed us up, and as we set off across the bay most of us were feeling pretty toastie, if not sweaty. At the first reef we paddled through, one member of our troop decided they were definitely too hot and parted company with his/her boat when a wave pushed him/her on to a rock. Quickly returning the paddler to his/her boat we carried on in the surreal environment of snow covered beaches and headlands in bright sunshine.


We rock-hopped and entered caves working our way around to Rhoscolyn Head. With the neap tides the tidal flow at the headland was weak, and we carried on to the small beach on the W side of Rhoscolyn for lunch.



By this time the weather had clouded over and it started to snow lightly. We got back in the boats, rounded the Beacon and headed back directly to Trearddur making use of the flooding tide.


Approximately 3 hours on the water. 12km distance. Paddlers: Rachael Clarke, Pete and Carole Thomas, Norbert the Pole.

Sunday 6 January 2013

Macclesfield Canal - 6th January 2013

Clarke Lane <> Bridge 18
First paddle after back problems ruled out paddling in December. Out in 43:18, back in 44:30. Taking it fairly easy to see if my back is OK. Seemed alright, but not very fit!