Roseland weekend - sun, sea , seals and sausages
Chris
Haydon
The Roseland Outdoor Education centre is an old primary
school in the picturesque village of St.Just in Roseland. This was our base
for a weekend away from the more familiar waters of Plymouth Sound.
Friday night was Pizza night, served as the combatants
arrived, but as I had to maintain my
reputation for being late I cannot report on the earlier proceedings. As darkness fell, Joy took advantage of the audiovisual
facilities to present a compilation photo album of the recent Caledonian Canal expedition. This
was supplemented by a “name that animal” contest whilst appreciating the
Ashford Kenyan safari pictures, and several rounds of alcohol fuelled Jenga. Eventually it
was time to retire to the bunks in readiness for the next day’s paddle.
Saturday, and a glorious sunny day , but with a fresh
Easterly (onshore) breeze. Kayaks rearranged on roof-racks, we all set off to the put
in point in the creek ½ mile below. The plan was to paddle to St Anthony’s Head and see
what the conditions outside were like. The first problem was the differing
interpretation of the instructions to the launch site. Eventually the two groups were reunited
and 18 boats set off along the shore of Carrick Roads, past the battlements of St.
Mawes castle, and across the Percuil River to regroup under the lighthouse at St.Anthony’s.
It was near here I think that we first sighted a seal.
Rounding the headland we found ourselves exposed to the
Easterly swell of about 4 feet, with reflected waves making for a rather messy
pattern. No doubt well within the comfort zone of most but for a few like me this was pushing
our envelope a bit. The plan was to head Northwards up the coast to a nice looking beach
where we could stop for lunch. The nice looking beach had a lot of white on it though and Claire
went ahead to scout. The surf looked a little too much for us mere 2* paddlers perhaps , or
maybe it was for those with more expensive composite boats?
Anyway an alternative cove tucked just inside the shelter of the next headland
looked OK and we made our way there and landed almost without incident.
Lunch was had, along with sunbathing, swimming, fishing and
then re-launching for the journey back. Whether the tide had eased or we were more
accustomed, but the waves seemed easier and progress was better on the return
leg. Once we were back inside the shelter of Carrick Roads we met up with the same
seal and its pals. We arrived back at St.Just creek and reloaded the boats onto
the cars for the short haul up to the centre where a veritable sports fest of Volleyball,
Badminton and Boules was available for the more energetic. In the evening Stuart and
Alex put on a fine barbecue although trying to light the briquettes brought out a
worrying tendency for pyromania in a few members.
Distance paddled that day 10.5miles.
On Sunday a couple of our number had left due to prior
commitments as we drove off for a beach (Pendower) higher up the coast. Once again we
managed to not all navigate smoothly to the launch site. I had a good excuse I’d
been too late for the briefing the night before (you’ll have noticed a trend by
now). There was a fair walk down from the car park to the beach, those with trolleys
scored here. An exciting launch through surf (in my case that should read exiting!)
and once again we were out on the slightly corrugated sea. The wind was more
from the North and fresh at times and the seas choppy but less high than the day before. We made
for Nare Head and then out to Gull rock. We hoped for seals, porpoises, or basking
sharks, but I don’t think any sea creatures were spotted.
After rounding the rocky islet we headed up the coast to Portloe. This is a very pretty Cornish fishing village
with a tiny
harbour and slipway where again we regrouped before deciding on a small beach to the
south for lunch. The beach was idyllic, at least away from the fly infested
seaweed, and many felt the need to enter the water to cool off or dive from the rocks,
whilst others were content to chill on the beach. We returned, keeping close to the
shore, and once round Nare Head found incredibly clear sunlit water until we reached
the beach at Pendower. The wind had died and it was hot, the breaking swell provided
good stern rudder practice and those who landed later had to run the gauntlet of the
rest who quite rightly felt it their duty to cool them with as much spray as possible. It
was a long slog up to the car park in the heat with the boats but eventually we were
packed and away to tidy up and clear out of the centre.
Distance paddled - 8.5miles
Back home that evening I found it very hard to stay awake as
core muscle groups gently voiced their complaints, but I had explored new
ground and learnt new techniques such as an answer to that old sea kayaking
conundrum of how to relieve the urgent call of nature at sea. I think this may be
described as a “pee-rescue”, or a “piddle/float/re-entry”! (/end obligatory toilet joke.)
Thanks are due to Joy and Clive for the organisation and
Stuart and co for the barbie. The weekend was a great social success as well as an
opportunity to get in some fine sea paddling; for some now the Scillies beckon.
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