Following a quick chat with Gareth Jones on Facebook, we decided to meet up at Bangor Services for 9:00am. The forecast looked ok, with N/NE winds forecast, so we decided to do Moelfre to Puffin Island. Having met Gareth in the services and watched him devour a full English, we set off to run the shuttle. We decided as per the Welsh Sea Kayaking Guidebook to park one car in the lay-by at Trwyn y Penrhyn and drive up to Moelfre with both boats on the roof. When we arrived at the lay-by there was a van with a couple of sea kayaks on top. As we pulled up next to it, Gareth was saying he recognised the van, but couldn't put a face to the owner. Just at that moment the owners head popped around the corner and I recognised Sabina Neall, who I hadn't seen for at least 10 years! It was really good to meet with Sabina again. Sabina explained that she was waiting for a group, who were planning on paddling around Puffin Island from the lay-by and we were welcome to join them. We were very tempted, but in the end decided to stick to our original plan.
Having driven up to Moelfre we quickly sorted out our kit and we were on the water at just a couple of minutes past 11am.
We paddled for a bit...
Did a bit of photo duelling.
Looking back at Moelfre the clouds seemed to be hugging the land. We were hopeful we would keep the sun.
We stopped at Red Wharf Bay for a stretch and a snack, and again for lunch in a cove near Mariandyrys, before deciding to head straight for the tip of Puffin Island
The photos don't really show it, but the was a bit of chop as we paddled out to the tip of the island.
On rounding the tip of Puffin Island we were greated by lots of bird life and seals. The seals would generally sneak up behind you, but as soon as you turned to look at them they would dip below the surface.
These wonky shots were taken over my shoulder!
Gareth seem to attract a stalker!
It was becoming duller and duller. Time to head back to the car.
Despite the tide being against us now, there was a swell coming directly behind us and we were able to use the swell to surf from Perch Rock to Penmon Point. From there it was a simple case of eddy hoping back to the car. It was now 3:30pm and we had covered 14 miles.
By the time we had loaded up the car and driven back to Moelfre it was dark. For a short November day it was a certainly a good one.
