Menai Straits - 28th August 2011

Met up with Arnaud, Andrea and Jim from the NWSK for a paddle up/down the Menai Straits. Had originally planned to go from Moelfre, but it was perhaps a bit too windy for Andrea (NW F4-5 maybe 6 at times was the forecast) so along with quite a few other groups we opted for the more sheltered location.

Launched from Gallows Point near high tide and set off SW down the straits towards Menai. We took it fairly leisurely hugging the Anglesey side, admiring some of the fantastic houses and guessing which of the many small beaches would make good bivvy spots.

Once near the first bridge, the Menai Bridge, we picked up the main flow of the ebbing tide and started to play the various eddies and spouts under the arches of the bridge and the rocks. This trip is much more like paddling a big river than my normal sea outings with a lot of opportunity to practice river skills rather than those required on the open sea.

We had lunch on the island of Ynys Gored Goch. This is a little island in the middle of the straits with a couple of cottages on it and surrounded by fish traps (or the remains thereof). Initially we thought no-one was "in", but while sitting down to our packed lunches a long haired labrador appeared, shortly followed by a couple and some kids. A quick check that they didn't mind us landing meant that we continued to eat and admire the situation, surrounded by fast flowing water and a good view of the second bridge, the Britannia. Jim told how the bridge was converted from its original box girder design into a two tiered metal arch version.

After lunch we paddled around the middle pier of the Britannia and by this time the flow was decreasing. We chatted with some of the other groups that were in the vicinity and headed back towards Beaumaris with a gentle flow to assist us now and the wind on our backs.

Jimski

Arnaud

It didn't take too long to get back, but to our dismay when we reached Gallows Point the tide was very low (it was near springs) and the small shingle beach we had launched from was now 200-300 metres away, protected by a muddy beach covered in shellfish. We tried to take a direct approach of walking up the beach, but it was very gloopy and frequently you were going up to your shins or more. So we retreated to a spot with much less mud to cross before terra firma could be reached. Andrea, Arnaud and I made it across, but poor Jim had a nasty experience of sinking up to his thighs and getting stuck, so he extracted himself back into his boat and made his way back to the Gazelle hotel where we picked him up later and where we had a quick pint followed by excellent fish and chips in Beaumaris.

17.9km paddled.

Macclesfield Canal - 26th August 2011

Clarke Lane <> Higher Poynton Marina Out in 52:27, back in 52:07. Back to some reasonable form after two trips to the US. Oban race next weekend, so now time to rest.

Macclesfield Canal - 22nd August 2011

Another 1 hour session while Gavin was with the Macc CC. Took it fairly easy, doing approx 4 miles.

Macclesfield Canal - 21st August 2011

Clarke Lane <=> Higher Poynton Marina Out in 56:18, back in 59:30. Lots of boat delays as the canal was very busy. Feeling a bit more lively, but after coming back from LA, I was out in Orlando 3 days later on business and returned yesterday.

Macclesfield Canal - 15th August 2011

Just over an hour long session while Gavin had a paddle with the Macc CC. Didn't feel very energetic since I'd only come back from Los Angelese the day before.

Penrhyn Mawr and the Stacks - 24th July 2011

A last minute pass out from Nancy allowed me to "bag" another personal first - going round the South and North Stack lighthouses on Anglesey.

We launched from Porth Dafarch with the intention of using the flood tide to take us north and then use the ebb to return. The idea was to play in the tide races on the way out and to take our time exploring, since a number of us had not been along this section of the coast before (I'd not been much further past Penrhyn Mawr).

Porth Dafarch

A lovely sunny day meant we left in high spirits and we were soon approaching Penrhyn Mawr. This tide race has a notorious reputation, but with it only being a neap tide it wasn't showing it's nasty side. We split up and played in various parts of the race - the bigger waves were to be found on the "outside" of the islands/reefs and the easier water was in the inner channels. A number of us did rolls and some planned/unplanned rescue practice! The waves on the outer race were perhaps 2-3 feet at times but fairly gentle.

Penrhyn Mawr inner channel

Barry and Kate surfing the outer race

After a reasonable play we grouped up and headed north rock hopping around Abraham's Bosom (the bay between Penrhyn Mawr and South Stack) and we had lunch on the first boulder beach.

Rock hopping

lunch stop

Continuing on our way with interesting rock hopping and caves throughout we approached South Stack with it's impressive rock architecture. We passed under the bridge and through the small channel that separates the lighthouse island from the mainland and entered Gogarth Bay.

Approaching South Stack

Arch

Typical Cave - must bring headtorch next time!

The high cliffs with their in-situ climbers provided an awesome backdrop to our paddle. In my climbing days I'd never quite got around to doing the classic route, "Dream of White Horses" but it was great to finally see it, if only from below. We had a quick nose into Parliament House Cave but didn't stop and we continued around North Stack.

Looking into Parliament House Cave

By this time the tide had started to turn, and the North Stack race was just starting to kick up some playful waves - enhanced significantly with the swell from the SeaCat when it passed. Barry Shaw told me to just look out for the sea level rising on the horizon to get a warning of the incoming swell, and sure enough you could see the sea rise as the large set of waves came in.

North Stack race starting up

We played around in the race for a while then retired back to Parliament House Cave for an afternoon snack. The cave is a real sun trap and it's easy to just lay back and relax in such wonderful surroundings.

By this time another group of paddlers from the NWSK appeared from their circumnavigation of Holy Island, so we all joined up for the return paddle to Porth Dafarch.

This paddle has a reputation for the powerful tide races, but for me I haven't seen much better cliff and cave scenery, so to do this paddle on a calm day on neap tides is a magical experience.

About 18km paddled. Launched around 10:30am, off the water around 5:30pm.

Macclesfield Canal - 21st July 2011

Clarke Lane <> Higher Poynton Marina
Out in 52:14, back in 52:58.
Nice to get under 53 minutes on both legs.