Loe Beach to Tresillian

After listening to the weather forecast and hearing that the tail end of Hurricane Gonzalo was going to reach Cornwall by the end of the day, we thought it prudent to do another river trip. We left Loe Beach near Feock thinking that we may have to fight our way back against strong winds and mountainous sea’s, but not so! The sun shone and apart from a gentle headwind it was easy paddling all the way.

This was a record for bird spotting and no less than 7 Kingfishers were seen, along with many other airborne creatures. I am a coastal kayaker by choice but I have to admit to the joy of seeing so much wildlife around the rivers and creeks.

Once again we were joined by Kevin J and Jan, who are becoming regulars on these trips and we met John on the beach who was a welcome addition. Yet another trip that you should plan to do on an incoming tide and returning on the outgoing tide, that’s unless you want to be stuck miles from anywhere surrounded by mud. This would be a great trip to do on a sit-on kayak if you dont mind paddling some distance.

Wildlife Observed:
Little grebe (1),Grey heron, (c.10), Little egret (c.10), Mute swan (13), Canada goose (30+), Shelduck (3), Osprey (1), Buzzard (6), Curlew (c.60),Redshank (c.80), Greenshank (6), Common sandpiper (1), Kingfisher (7), Jay (2), Fallow deer (c.10)

Look For:
Birds and Wildlife
Pill Creek
Turnaware Point
Trelissick House
King Harry Ferry
Moored Ships
Smugglers Cottage
Malpas
St Clement
Tresillian & Bridge

Hazards:
Mud (lots of it at anything but high tide)
Tidal current at Turnaware Bar
Other river users
King Harry Ferry
Wind can get brisk at times in river sections
 
Details: 
Paddle No: 34
Date: 19/10/2014
Wind: Force 2 - 3 WSW
Temperature: 13 degrees
Weather: Sun, light cloud
Distance Covered: 14.4 miles
Duration: 5.5hrs
Access: Easy launch from Loe Beach
Sea state: Smooth
Kayaks: Nigel Dennis Romany x 2, P&H Quest, P&H Vela, Dagger Alchemy

   Loe Beach
   to Tresillian

Click map to enlarge

Loe Beach to Ruan Lanihorne Bridge

Possibly one of the nicest river trips in Cornwall? But make sure you plan to do on an incoming tide and ride out on the outgoing tide, that’s unless you want to be stuck miles from anywhere surrounded by mud.

So much bird-life and wonderful countryside views with mile after mile of untouched woods and fields running down to the water’s edge. Much of it is owned by Lord Falmouth so no camping allowed.

A fine trip to do if a coastal paddle is too dangerous and it would be a great trip to do on a sit-on kayak, but make sure you take lunch as there are no shops. We launched at Loe Beach in the upper end of a SW force 3 but as soon as we turned the corner at Turnaware Bar it was smooth and calm. The forecast was for the wind to get stronger, and it certainly did! The last mile home was against a solid force 5 with chop and waves to match.

Wildlife Observed: Grey heron (c.10), Little egret (30+), Mute swan (c.10), Canada goose (c.80), Wigeon (c.30), Curlew (c.5), Greenshank (1), Osprey (2), Buzzard (2), Kingfisher (4) Deer (many)
 
Look For: 
Birds and Wildlife
Pill Creek
Turnaware Point
Trelissick House
King Harry Ferry
Moored Ships
Smugglers Cottage

Hazards:
Mud (lots of it at anything but high tide)
Tidal current at Turnaware Bar
Other river users
King Harry Ferry
Wind can get brisk at times in river sections

Details: 
Paddle No: 32
Date: 7/10/2014
Wind: Force 3 - 5 SW
Temperature: 14 degrees
Weather: Overcast, some sun.
Distance Covered: 11.7 miles
Duration: 4 hrs
Access: Easy launch from Loe Beach
Sea state: Smooth on river but with large chop and medium wave on return.
Kayaks: Nigel Dennis Romany, P&H Quest

    Loe Beach
    to Ruan Lanihorne

Click map to enlarge

Mylor to Truro

This is the first trip we have managed to do in weeks. From the end of summer the weather has been atrocious with one gale following another with very little space in-between. Even this river/urban paddle ended up with an gale warning and strong wind on the return trip. Mylor to Truro took two hours Truro to Mylor four hours against the wind and arriving back in the dark. Good trip though and great to get back on the water.

The video is a bit short and does not show the hard paddle back but I thought that a few minutes of Kevin and I paddling in Truro city centre was amusing. We did see an abundance of wildlife during the trip which has been listed below.

Wildlife Observed: Little grebe, Little egret, Grey heron (10+), Mute swan (10+), Canada goose (c.10), Teal (30+), Shelduck (3), Curlew (2), Redshank (40+), Oystercatcher (5+), Black-tailed godwit (30+), Guillemot (1), Buzzard, Kingfisher (2)

Look For:
Wildlife
Loe Beach
Turnaware Bar
King Harry Ferry
Smugglers Cottage
Parked Ships
Malpas
Truro Cathederal

Hazards:
Other water craft as this is a very busy river.
Shallow water
Mud banks

Details:
Paddle No: 20
Date: 29/12/2013
Wind: Force 3-5 SW
Temperature: 7 degrees
Weather: Sun to start then cloud
Distance Covered: 15.3 miles
Duration: 6 hrs
Access: Easy launch from Mylor Harbour Slip
River state: Smooth. Estuary: Choppy
Kayaks: Nigel Dennis Romany, P&H Scorpio

   Mylor to Truro

Click map to enlarge