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

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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

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Loe Beach to Swanpool Beach

Wind, waves, rain and fun were the ingredients of this kayak trip, from Loe Beach on the Truro River to Swanpool Beach in Falmouth. The wind was blowing at 20-22 mph most of the time with the occasional stronger gust to keep us on our toes. Between Pendennis Point and Black Rock was the most interesting with sizable swell helping to keep our focus.

Although not one of our longest journeys at 12.1 miles, we took four and a half hours to complete, with most of that taken by the outward journey.

Wildlife Observed: Cormorants, Herring Guls

Look For:
Black Rock
Pendennis Point
Falmouth Docks

Hazards:
Many other water users including ferries, sailing and motor boats. Also be aware of the movement of large ships around Falmouth Docks and the Carrick Roads

Details:
Paddle No: 11
Date: 17/08/2013
Wind: Force 5 SW
Temperature: 10 degrees
Weather: Cloudy, Showers.
Distance Covered: 12.1 miles
Duration: 4.5hrs
Access: Easy launch, landing and exit
Sea State: Small to moderate swell with small waves
Kayaks: P&H Scorpio, Easky 13

   Loe Beach to
   Swanpool Beach

Click map to enlarge