Mary Erasmus posted on NWSK site..'Anyone fancy a paddle on the Conwy Estuary?'

I did,  as I had just bought a new Valley Aquanaut HV [well, ex-demo] and was desperate to try it out.

I managed to get to Conwy just in time to join her and Dave for a most enjoyable 24km trip up the Conwy from the back of the castle.

It was a tad windy going up, but with the wind behind us and the benefit of the ebb tide we sailed back.

An excellent chippy meal and a pint of Brains Bitter at the Liverpool Arms finished the day off .

I made off to  Beddgelert, and camped with my mates from OutdoorsMagic.com,  with a day out to  Llanberis on the Saturday to get some kit.

Sunday morning was awful. It had rained all night, and I had arranged to meet Dave Batty  at Borth y Gest for a trip up the Drywyd Estuary.

My phone battery ran out and I couldn't  contact him, so I went anyway. Good thing. The rain stopped, and the sun came out a bit, and we set off.

This is definitely a trip to do when there is a spring tide  of at least 8-9m,  as we ran aground on the sandbanks a few times. [All part of the learning curve]...remember to take the map next time...

We passed Portmeirion, which looks like it needs a fresh coat of paint to be honest, and eventually ran out of water so returned to avoid getting stranded.

The trip brought back memories of my youth spent in Porthmadog, but it has changed a lot since; however we had a good paddle and hopefully worth the long trip Dave made.

Impressions of the new Aquanuat? It's great.

Next outing: Anglesey, where things may become a little more complicated.....

Went up to Ravenglass in Cumbria last weekend for the 2nd Annual Seaquest, a 3hr event, which consisted of paddling around the estuary comprised of the rivers Esk, Irt, and Mite. The weather was cool and about F4-5 wind, which added a bracing touch to the days fun. It was open to all types of boats, sea kayaks, open canoes, and sit on tops.

Various controls where dotted on the banks, or buoys etc, which had to be stamped, ....points make prizes....!

If you completed the whole course it was nearly 22km long, and some people did; the superfit adventure racers. I completed 12km and came 21st [out of 71 competitors]

The day was finished off with a 'few' pints  and a good meal in the Holly Bush pub, and a camp at Ravenglass C&CC site.

I didn't fall in, and was lucky to meet some friends last seen in Scotland 2 yrs ago.

Big thanks to Annette and Phil for organising a great event.