Day 34 Ireland 14th June 2013

We had a nice relaxed start after our later night and headed along the coast rock hopping and paddling down channels. We stopped at the headland to explore and discuss options and after speaking to Adrian last night we headed for Portrush, keeping well out to avoid the firing range!! We could use the wind to begin with but the last hour was into a F4 headwind. Squally showers pushed through and the colours and the light were fantastic. We worked our way along the coast to the Giants Causeway. The first bay was disappointing but as we rounded the corner, the cliffs with Basalt columns rose out of the ground and were stunning. Another squall hit us, darker and stronger and heads down we paddled on looking for a small Bothy. It was locked! Justine texted and phoned a couple of people...no result! We put our tents up, cooked food and then....someone came walking down the hill with a key! He had seen the location of the SPOT and wondered if we needed anything...like a Bothy!

To Ballycastle tomorrow and a day or so of rest. Jane and Andy will then leave us at some point as they paddle on towards Scotland. (We saw Jura today!)

Susan and Aiden on Gola, with Jane and Andy Morton, Justine and Barry.

Sonja
www.coastalspirit.com

Day 23 Ireland (3rd June)

Jane and Andy had to go back to tumble dry clothes so we went our separate ways and discussed the possibility of catching up later. Connemara is beautiful, small white sand islands set in an Emerald sea. Two pods of Dolphins topped the day. 30nm and camped on Turbot Island . First real day where from 11am we could paddle in short sleeves. Camp had enough air to keep the midges at bay which had discovered us!! May enter another county tomorrow, but now we are north of Dublin!!

Lunch spot on Mason Island




Sonja
www.coastalspirit.com

1st June, Day 21 Ireland Circumnavigation and Happy Birthday to me!

It was a struggle getting out of my sleeping bag this morning and there was a cold wind funnelling up our valley. The entrance to our cove had surf blocking the exit and the wind was stronger than yesterday. 2-3 metres of swell rolled through as we passed another arch or cave from a distance. We landed on Mutton Island for a break unsure if we would get another. We noticed two people on the beach and then a kayak. It was Jane and Andy Morton who are paddling around the UK. They are camping on the island and invited us over for a brew. After lunch and a good lemon cake from Justine and Barry we talked through our options. With it also being a Bank Holiday places were likely to be busy plus the cliffs of Moher could be very exciting! We stayed!

Sonja
www.coastalspirit.com

Day 11/12 Around Ireland Cicumnavigation

Barry managed to get a bowl of porridge down but still felt sick. The West Cork Hotel would give us a significantly reduced cost second night so we chose to stay! Following morning we all met at breakfast and had delicious eggy bread with Maple syrup, bananas and roasted almonds. Barry was also looking much better! Jim picked us up and dropped us back at our boats and soon we were off again with Barry leading and setting a fair old pace!! The flood tide had begun and could be felt at the headland off of Toe Head, the wind was blowing offshore with a few strong gusts. At 1pm we took a lunch break and shortly after found a camp spot, super small but grassy and flat. 12nm and 4 hours on the water.

Is it a boat, is it SOT, is it a kayak...? NO its a bath!!!

And a fantastic one too courtesy of the West Cork Hotel

Sonja

www.coastalspirit.com

surf, wind and some sunshine - Pembroke 2012

I had been invited down to work on the Stackpole sea kayak festival, South Pembroke and as this is one of my favourite events. A relaxed start with tea and welsh cakes at 1100 on the Saturday may have  something to do with this ... and with a good selection of demo P&H sea kayaks, Olly Sanders another sponsored paddler, were kept busy.

Weather was mainly windy with sunny spells and showers, which meant shelter was mainly looked for, on the Sat/Sunday but the Monday looked promising for a longer paddle.  The photo below was taken by Richard Waller, on a small beach along the range west coastline and was on the Monday when winds had dropped, sunny spells, although surprisingly cool at times.  This was only the 2nd time I had paddled this section of coastline and it was truly stunning, great rock structures, bird life, committing cliffs, swell, surf and gentle current (down to our slack water start).

Food was great at the centre, with lots of it and with a new bar on site the social scene was also well lubricated! 

Following on from the 3 day festival I had a number of clients who were keen to stay on and with 3 in the group who had completed the 4 star leader training, it made sense to use their skills.

The Tuesday was very windy and winds ranged from F4-6, so shelter with some conditions was decided upon, so Fishguards old town was chosen and having spoken to Dr Lou Luddington, she was available to provide an input on the marine environment, while also provide further support to each small pod of paddlers.  Turning in strong and gusting winds was the main focus to begin with, using similar principles as with a ferry glide and crossing current, to crossing very windy and gusting channels.  The day was finished off with assisted rescues and anchored towing, to maintain position and provide time.

Wednesdays forecast was much better and the 3 leaders of Craig, Andy and Gary choose a journey from Abercastle to Porthgain.  Wow ... what a stunning section of coastline, with current, reflective swell & waves, small rocky headlands  & outcrops, caves, secluded beaches and only 8k!!  Main focus was group leadership/management and good position, so we did a lot of sea kayak coastering, and close quartering and discover some super rocky channels.

The day was finished off in the calm entrance of Porthgain, with rolls, self rescues and anything else people wanted to go back over, or wanted to try.  Kayaks loaded and drinks at the Sloop inn, fuelled us up to begin or long drives home.  But what a super time we had.  Thanks to Tracy, Andy, Zoe, Rich, Julie, Craig, Steve, Phil and Gary for making it all work.

roger chandler
www.coastalspirit.com
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