Auld Bluggery

Every now and then I say to myself "I must camp out under my tarp this year sometime...'

This year I may even do it. The things that put me off are a) midgies, b)wind and rain, and c) midgies.

Last night with a fair weather forecast and no midgies here, I put said shelter  [a Decathlon Tarp] up for a trial run.
I had to use 2 old ally poles from another tent for this construction and kipped out in the garden for the night.

Quite peacefully, [well a bottle of Sir Trevor Macdonalds night serum did help], but around 4am I realised it's a lot colder than sleeping in a tent and I had to slide into my bivvy bag for extra warmth.  However on a kayak trip my fleece undergear would help with this.

The tarp is quite bigger than a 'normal' backpacking one, but is useful to make a beach shelter for group cooking, and the extra weight is negligible when you consider how much you can pack into a sea kayak.

Then, sad person that I am, I bunged a load of basic kit under it for a practice packing session; well the Piel Island trip is only 2 months away, and who knows what else I may get up to.

For the gear freaks: Rab Generator top, Rab Survival Zone bivvy bag, Thermarest ProLite 3. TAR Chair, Tesco Ultralight down sleeping bag, Alpkit Gourdon 20L drybag, Exped drybag,  Jetboil, Trangia 27 with gas converter, Vango 2 Man shelter [Just in case], Ajungilak pillow, 2x Nalgene bottles one with LED's built into top.

The dog can come but he has to paddle his own bloody boat this time.

10 of us from FoA/Liverpool CC met up at Llanddonas beach Anglesey with the aim of circumnavigating Puffin Island.
21km, with a reasonable weather forecast, the only doubts being that the wind and the rain could rear their heads at some times.

We set off into a slight headwind, making good progress along the cliffs for about 8km, then the wind came up a bit and we had to get the rate up to go through the channel between the lighthouse and the coast to our lunchstop at Penmon Beach.

Whilst we feasted, Aled Williams [ex Rockpool Kayaks and probably one of the most experienced sea paddlers in the UK] turned up in one of his new Tide Race kayaks, and had a brief chat. We set off again, but this time the sea was definitely more choppy, and with the tide coming out of the Menai Strait made the paddling more difficult, and very exciting.

It was rapidly becoming the sort of conditions that experienced sea kayakers revel in, I felt a bit uneasy, but made it through ok, never feeling that a capsize was imminent, and as we approached the Island the waves and swell went down.

Then my first problem occurred; whilst on the beach I had moved my footrests forward 1 slot as they didn't feel right with the shoes I had on. BIG mistake. I was now very uncomfortable in the boat, and starting to get twinges in my thigh muscles. In addition I got cramp in my left hand that was so bad I had to call for help as I couldn't grip the paddle. Keith and Mike who were the most experienced of the group came to my aid whilst I waited for the spasms to go. [If this had happened in the tidal race I would have been in deep trouble] This cramp recurred about 4 times and each time I needed help, for which I wholeheartedly thank those people who came to my assistance.

The footpeg problem got worse, as did the weather, heavy rain, and eventually I needed a tow to a small beach to readjust them. From then on I was more comfortable, and the cramp in the hand went away, and we cruised with the tide back to the start point.
I then managed to fall in as I was trying to surf in on an 18" wave. Doh!

It was definitely a trip to reinforce the safety aspect that you should never paddle alone, especially on a day when the weather was so unpredictable, and the state of the water could change in an instant. The new Aquanaut was definitely put through it's paces, and I now feel more confident in it. I'm still not happy with the paddles I've got though, I think they may be too long.

Next Sea Blug: Intermediate Sea Kayaking course with Nigel Dennis Sea Kayaking at the end of July

It had to be done....

As soon as I saw on Outdoors Magic that Argos were selling a 2 man semi-geodesic tent  for £35 I had to have one.

So up it went in the garden.

First thing I noticed was that this type of tent would be a lot easier to pitch with 2 people, its like wrestling a big spider. Now I know why I had such a laugh at Mycroft and Son putting one up at Beddgelert earlier in the year.

It's big. Much bigger inside [1500x2200mm] than my trusty old Vango Hydra 200+. There's a decent size porch at each end and 4 big vents on the fly. Inside there are long handy mesh pockets and even a gear loft is included.

The ground sheet appears to be the same fabric as used in the legendary Tiger Paws 1 man tent, which is very good. There are 2 tension bands under the tent,  and all the stress points are well layered in tape.

I would love to know whose tent this is a copy of, how they can sell it for the price beats me and it could attain the same sort of status as the original TP 1 man tent if it stays on the market.

Bad points...truly awful fibreglass poles and steel pegs, which weigh too much [not worth replacing poles, would probably cost more than the tent!] and the sleeves for the 2 poles on the fly are a very close fit.

I'm pleased to say its a bit breezy here today and it just ain't moving.

Is it worth it? ..............................If it lasts as long as my Hydra, yes.

I joined up with 26 other members of FoACC at Tyn Rhos campsite just outside Trearddur Bay last Friday. It was the first time I had met most of them since I joined the club last year, and it turned out to be an excellent trip.

After a 'few' beers and a barbecue on the first night  the next day we set off to Borthwen near Rhoscolyn, to launch a flotilla of sea kayaks and other small boats, ably led by Keith Steer and Kirk Williams, their knowledge was invaluable and added to the enjoyment.

Rock hopping around the coastline, we popped out to Rhoscolyn Beacon went through some small tidal races and overfalls ... nothing too tricky ..[for me anyway; I must be improving...]

The highlights were visiting the caves on route and paddling under the Rhoscolyn Arch,  the  seals,  diving terns and cormorants along with the seagulls and their chicks on the rocks.

Lunch was held on a somewhat crowded beach at Trearddur Bay, with a quick return on the ebb tide back to Borthwen.

Great fun!  Off to the Trearddur Bay Hotel for a fish and chip supper that night and funnily enough, a 'few' more beers......I slept very well that night.

Sunday was intended to be a 12km open crossing to Carmel head via Church Bay from Holyhead;  I was feeling a tad tired at Church Bay [5k] at which point I dipped out to return home, and a long hot soak in the bath. I later found out the others had returned missing out Carmel Head,  and were lucky to avoid a 4' wave from the SeaCat.

Lessons from this trip: I prefer my Lendal Archipelago paddle to the Kinetic when I'm tired; maybe the low angle touring style of paddling suits me more of the time, however for trips that may require a bit more spells of intensive paddling the Kinetic will win. Also, when taking camera out of Aquapac, make sure AP is attached to decklines.........doh.

It was a pleasure to meet some people with a great sense of humour who really love being on the water and are prepared to help and guide you and I look forward to many more trips.

Thanks to Kirk and Keith for pics of me on the water and to Ruth for the lift back to the car!

Next trip, Puffin Island 5th July.

From the Friends of Allonby Canoe Club, Liverpool.... 06/05/08 Sea Paddle – North Wales Met at Ogwen services as usual, Kirk actually wasn't late for once! The Stacks was decided as the trip and we set off for Port Daffych to leave a car on the way. On arriving we discovered the sea fog and the rather large swell hitting the back wall of the bay! Change of plan-back to the sunshine! We decided to go to Rhoscolyn instead as this gave us more options that were less committed, unfortunately the sea fog had got there too but the bay was a lot calmer. On we got, after chatting to Greg and Jo who happened to turn up in the carpark, and headed for the Beacon in the fog. Interesting sea conditions, big swell coupled with the tide race and the fog. Absolutely fandabbydozzie I thought - NOT! It sorted out who had a compass and who didn't though. "We'll land round the headland"- where Ian? Where's the headland, never mind where's the landing spot? Large breaking waves confronted us so we decided to turn around and go back to the shelter of Rhoscolyn. We landed by the lifeboat station for an early lunch with a bit of sunshine popping through the fog and a review of the adrenlin paddle! Interesting first trip for Francesca with us...! After lunch off we set again, where's that Beacon? Into the fog again and this time the sea conditions were a little more top 4 star than 5 star and we found it and a few seals to boot. Paddling back into Rhoscolyn and we came across refugees from the symposium who were struggling to find somewhere to paddle because apparently the sea conditions had been bad all weekend. This time, as we discovered it was only 1.30 pm, we decided to change tack and head for Silver Bay as the sun had actually made an appearance now. After finding even more refugees from the symposium and watching some odd power boat handling skills from the tourists we headed back. On the way back in a lone paddler happened upon us - are you the Allonby paddlers? - (what have we done now...!) Oh I'm meant to be with you - I'm Mike Bell!