I can't hear you

Paddling out of St Donat's Bay around to Nash, we pass in front of Nash Lighthouse. Here is also situated a foghorn. It is one thing to hear this going off at home, but to be directly in front of it when it sounds is entirely a different matter.
The last 2 trips I've passed the horn, it has gone off. It feels as if I have nearly been blown out of my seat as the sound booms out and reflects back off the English coast. I am beginning to wonder what I've done to deserve this treatment, as each time there has been no sight of fog.
The tide had just turned as we launched, and we were paddling against it. It was slow work. Just about maintaining 2 knots. Long 2hr slog to get to Southerndown beach.

These afternoons the light is noticeably lower. Bringing with it that lovely light that shows all the contours in the rock faces.
After arriving at Southerndown we turn tail and get a roller coaster 45 minute ride back with the tide.

First Night Paddle

I am now trying to build up experience of night time paddling. Tonight was my first attempt. Paddling out from Penarth Lifeboat station out around Sully Island and back. I fear that my night photography is lacking somewhat. I blame the fact that you can't see any of the buttons in the dark.

The Tusker Rock Café

We fancied something a little bit different for our lunchtime stop at Tusker. I had after all paddled from Llantwit Major and had felt some proper food would be in order to fuel my return trip. I had come prepared to produce the de facto greasy fry-up all day breakfast buttie. Eggs, burger, bacon, kebab and red sauce.

We shall have to come back to this caff again. (Some chairs would be nice)

Chris paddls around our private island before the flooding tide reclaims it.

Eddystone Lighthouse Challenge

Although feeling chuffed after the successful completion of the Bristol Channel project I must confess to being more than slightly disappointed at not paddling back the next day. Two of us had decided to make the return trip. Sadly my paddling partner felt a bit under the weather in the morning. The Eddystone Lighthouse Challenge seemed an appropriate penance.

I managed to complete the challenge just before my shoulders and arms parted from my torso!

The organisation of the event was top class as was the provided buffet.

40km 6hrs 17mins

Ynys Byr - Caldey to English folk

It wasn't as bright as this when we left at some ungodly hour in the morning. In fact it hadn't stopped chucking down with rain for nearly two solid hours. Luck was on our side as the rain stopped before we launched and we were left with a very overcast start from Lydstep.


It took a long time to get out to Caldey, not that it is very far, just that there are so many interesting nooks and caves to explore on the way out.




Crossing over the sound to the island proper is "interesting". We made a clockwise circumnavigation, with the company of grey seals.


Then the sun came out and the colours within the rocks jumped out.

Great day paddling.