Mylor Harbour to Penryn

Due to yet more strong winds and large swells out in the bay we decided to take another river trip, hopefully we can get back on the open sea again soon. We left Mylor harbour mid afternoon and as soon as we rounded the corner realized how breezy it was in the river with the wind blowing about 20 and gusting to 27 mph. The sea started to get lively around Trefusis Point and Kevin's new boat required some re-trimming after we realised that it was riding too high in the bow.

We stopped at Flushing quay and loaded all of our combined gear into the front hatch. This had a positive effect and hopefully with a bit more fine tuning the Romany will behave itself as it should.

We continued our journey to Penryn and paddled as far as possible behind Commercial Road before coming to a dead end in the river. We then headed back out to the mouth of the estuary via Falmouth docks. The swells in the entrance to the river Fal were medium to large but good fun. We then rode the waves back up Carrick Roads using a lot of stern rudder and not much paddling to get back to Mylor. The last half hour of the journey was completed in some interesting light as the sun was getting low in the sky. Another good day out!

Wildlife Observed:
Grey heron, Little egret 4, Mute swan c.10, Curlew c.30, Common sandpiper 1, Greenshank 9, Redshank, Oystercatcher, Peregrine 1, Buzzard 1, Kingfisher 2, Grey wagtail 1, Grey seal 1

Look For:
Falmouth Docks
Trefusis Point
Carrick Roads
Flushing
Penryn Quay

Hazards:
River Current
Other river traffic. Sailing Boats, Ferrys and Large ships

Details:
Paddle No: 19
Date: 19/10/2013
Wind: Force 5 Southerly
Temperature: 15 degrees
Weather: Sum Sun mostly Cloud
Distance Covered: 10.5 miles
Duration: 4 hrs
Access: Easy launch from Mylor Harbour Slip
River state: Smooth. Estuary Mouth: Medium to large swell
Kayaks: Nigel Dennis Romany, P&H Scorpio

    Mylor to Penryn

Click map to enlarge

Helford Passage to Gweek

Due to the wind blowing force five and some large swells we decided to skip a sea trip and paddle the Helford river from the Ferry Boat Inn to Gweek and out to the mouth of the estuary. This is a pretty river journey with much to observe. It does need to be done at high tide if Gweek is to be reached and there are also a number of creeks to tempt you from your path.

After reaching our destination and taking a quick lunch on a grassy island by the road bridge we realised it was time to leave if we were not to be left high and dry. On the down river trip we took our time looked for some future overnight camp spots and paddled to the very end of Frenchmans Creek.

Three of us continued to the mouth of the estuary where there were some large swells and a couple of interesting reefs, one of which I hit as I tried to unsuccessfully time my way over the top using an incoming wave. Another great day out in the company of Kevin, Paul, Linda and Joe also two shiny new boats were put through their paces. One P&H Scorpio (excellent choice) and a very fine Nigel Dennis Romany.

Wildlife Observed:
Grey heron (c.10), Little egret (c.20), Guillemot, Buzzard, Curlew (4), Oystercatcher, Common sandpiper, Redshank (c.20), Greenshank (1), Kingfisher (2), Raven (2), Grey wagtail,

Look For:
Ferry Boat Inn
Frenchmans Creek
Tremayne Quay
Porth Navis Creek
Mawgan Creek
Polwheveral Creek
The Seal Sanctuary
Gweek Shipyard
Trebah Beach
Glendurgan

Hazards:
Mud
River Current
Other river traffic. Many boats are moored in the estuary.
Reefs and rocks at mouth of estuary

Details:
Paddle No: 18
Date: 12/10/2013
Wind: Force 5 NE
Temperature: 14 degrees
Weather: Sun and Cloud
Distance Covered: 11.3 miles
Duration: 5.0 hrs
Access: Easy launch from Helford Passage beach
River state: Smooth Sea state: medium to large swell
Kayaks: Nigel Dennis Romany, P&H Scorpio (2),  Dagger Charleston 14, Dagger Charleston 15,

    Helford Passage to
    Gweek

Click map to enlarge

Fowey to Pentewan Sands

Our first 20 mile trip! It was not meant to be that way but due to a miscalculation on my part we overshot the original target by a couple of miles. We left Fowey at the ferry crossing slipway and turned right at the mouth of the estuary passing to the outside of the rocks and reef off Gribben Head. We then crossed the long stretch of St Austell bay two miles out to sea, this could have been monotonous but for some good conversation and travelling close to a serious Zapcat race with 20 or more flying past us at speeds of over 40 knots. Realising we missed our original destination of Porthpean, we paddled into Pentewan beach.

After leaving Pentewan, we headed to Charlestown and had a quick harbour visit, then along a short but interesting stretch of coast to Carlyon Bay. As there was still some way to go we missed out Par beach, Polkerris and part of the coast before tucking in under Gribben Head. Do not miss this bit as it has plenty of rocks, reefs and gully's to sharpen the senses. Paddle past Menabilly Cove and we were well on the way to the mouth of the Estuary with just another fifteen minutes before we landed on the slip.

Wildlife Observed: Grey heron, Little egret, Oystercatcher, Whimbrel (2), Curlew, Turnstone (c.20), Rock pipit

Look For:

Fowey Lighthouse

St Catherines Castle

Readymoney Cove

Polruan

Menabilly Cove

Gribben Head
Charlestown

Pentewan

Par Beach

Polkerris

Hazards:

Fowey Ferry

River Current

Other river traffic. Many boats are moored in the estuary.

Reefs and rocks off Gribben Head

Details:

Paddle No: 17

Date: 5/10/2013

Wind: Force 1 Westerly

Temperature: 17 degrees

Weather: Sun and Cloud

Distance Covered: 20.2 miles

Duration: 6.0 hrs

Access: Launch and land from Fowey slipway

Sea state: Smooth to medium swell

Kayaks: P&H Scorpio,  Easky 13

   Fowey to
   Pentewan Sands

Click map to enlarge

Fowey to Lostwithiel

After planning a sea trip from Porthpean to Fowey, we were disappointed to arrive at the coast to find that the launch site was too dangerous. Time for plan B which was to launch at Fowey and paddle to Lostwithiel, we were in luck here as the tides were perfect to have a free ride upstream, lunch then another free ride on the outgoing tide.

We managed to paddle past Lostwithiel finally stopping for sandwiches at the base of the  A390 road bridge. This is a very nice inland water trip with the river flowing through some beautiful countryside. Keep your eyes open for a lot of wildlife, I saw two Kingfishers (my first ever) and some marvelous Dippers (check them out). I prefer sea paddles but this river offers a great alternative if its big out at sea. We paddled back to Fowey and continued to the mouth of the estuary and out into the sea for half a mile.

The swell was much bigger than the video shows. Kevin regularly disappeared behind the sets and care was required when turning. We spent a short time playing in the swells and having fun keeping everything upright and in control.

PS. We now have a new buddy that comes on most of our Kayak trips. He is called Blob and he likes to travel on the lens of my camera, usually taking up a prime position just when the best bits of the day are being filmed!

Wildlife Observed: Grey heron, Little egret (including 18 in one tree), Buzzard, Oystercatcher, Greenshank (8),  Turnstone (c.12), Canada goose, Jay, Kingfisher (3), Dipper (2).

Look For:
Fowey Lighthouse
St Catherines Castle
Fowey Dock
Readymoney Cove
Polruan
Mineral Railway
Golant
Lerryn Creek
St Winnow Church
Lostwithiel's 12th Century Bridge
Lostwithiel Town

Hazards:
Fowey Ferry
River Current
Tidal river: Get your tide times right for an easy, mud free trip.
Other river traffic. Many boats are moored in the estuary.
Grumpy people

Details:
Paddle No: 16
Date: 29/09/2013
Wind: Force 5 Easterly
Temperature: 17 degrees
Weather: Grey sky and cloud
Distance Covered: 15.1 miles
Duration: 5.0 hrs
Access: Launch from Fowey slipway, or park and launch from Golant
Water: River flat with light current. Sea state, medium to large swell
Kayaks: P&H Scorpio,  Easky 13

    Fowey to
    Lostwithiel

Click map to enlarge