Mylor Harbour to Nare Head & Gull Rock

This could well be the last good day of Summer 2016. The sun was shining and warm and the sea was calm so we did not waste it. As I had to be back on shore by a given time perhaps it was not the best idea to paddle 21 miles but the day was too good to waste on a lesser trip. Mylor yacht harbour was as busy as any summers day when we set off and the Carrick Roads was full of boats of all sizes. After turning the corner at St Anthony lighthouse the traffic was quieter but we were accompanied for a short while by a double sea kayak heading towards Bohortha Beach.

Passing Towan beach and then Portscatho we started to head out to Nare Head and Gull Rock which is just under a mile from Nare, on the way we did see a few Porpoises in the distance which was very pleasing as they were the first I have seen all of this summer. As the tide was working against us it took a bit more effort to make the last mile as the tidal flow accelerates between Nare Head and Gull rock but as we approached closer to the rock this eased off. Just off the rock there were a couple of kayak fishermen taking advantage of the calm weather and having fun.

After circumnavigating this large rock, we rafted up to drink tea, have lunch and take in the view. It was a bit of a distance to cover given my time schedule but I am happy to say that I did get back in time to eat and go to a music concert in the evening. Unloading kit at 11.30 at night in my neighbourhood is a bit anti-social I know, but the day was worth it.

Wildlife Observed: Gannet, Grey heron, Little egret Kestrel (1), Curlew Purple sandpiper (1), Oystercatcher, Mediterranean gull (2), Raven (1), Rock pipit Linnet (20+), Porpoise (3+), Grey seal (6)

Look For: 
Carrick Roads
Falmouth Docks
St Mawes Castle
St Anthony's Lighthouse
Bohortha Beach.
Porthbeor Beach
Towan Beach
Portscatho
Pendower Beach
Carne Beach
Nare Head
Gull Rock
Gerrans Bay
Portloe 

Hazards:
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.
Tidal flow between Gull Rock and Nare Head


Details: 
Paddle No: 36
Date: 3/10/2015
Wind: Force 1 - 2 SW
Temperature: 15 degrees
Weather: Sun
Distance Covered: 21 miles
Duration: 6hrs
Access: Easy launch from Mylor Harbour no landing on Gull Rock
Sea state: Smooth
Kayaks: Nigel Dennis Romany,  P&H Quest

    Mylor Harbour to
    Nare Head
    & Gull Rock













Click map to enlarge

Mylor Harbour to Percuil River

Another Saturday window of opportunity in many weeks of gales and storms, so off we went. For safety’s sake we stuck to another river trip and this time headed from Mylor Harbour to Percuil River which is a very picturesque section of Carrick Roads. We launched in sunshine and in virtually no wind, crossing the river Fal in no time and Passing St Mawes to our left.

The paddle up the Percuil river is scenic and we saw a good selection of bird life. As this trip had to taken on an outgoing tide and mud was in abundance we could not go to the head of the river which was around another mile further up.

A quick trip back with the outgoing tide until we got to Place House when we were exposed to the wind blowing straight at us with some force. The paddle past St Mawes and the coast up as far a the Castle was slow going and choppy. After rounding Castle point the wind eased off to a force four and was to our side, but we kept up a good pace regardless. Another nice river trip but I cannot wait to get back on the ocean.

Sorry but no video or pictures this week as I forgot to put the SD card in the GoPro!

Wildlife Observed:
Black-throated diver (1), Little grebe (6+), Little egret (10+), Grey heron (10+), Mute swan (2+), Red-breasted merganser (1), Curlew (30+), Redshank (20+), Greenshank (3), Oystercatcher (10+), Turnstone (c.10), Buzzard (1)

Look For:
Wildlife
Falmouth Docks
St Mawes Castle
St Mawes
Place House
Percuil
Derelict Boats

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

Details:
Paddle No: 21
Date: 4/1/2014
Wind: Force 1-5 SW
Temperature: 9 degrees
Weather: Sun to start then cloud
Distance Covered: 10 miles
Duration: 4 hrs
Access: Easy launch from Mylor Harbour Slip
River state: Smooth. Estuary: Choppy
Kayaks: Nigel Dennis Romany, P&H Scorpio

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

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

Mylor Harbour to Porthbeor

What a change from our last day out on the water. Warm and sunny with a light WNW wind. Great visibility and although there was a small swell, very little in the way of waves. The majority of the bird life was sunning itself and anything up to four seals were seen fishing their way across the coast.

Between us, Kevin and I managed to sort out most of Cornwall's socio-economic and educational problems so now all we have to sort out is how to complete the second half of our kayak rolls!

Details:
Paddle No:  2
Date: 18/03/2013
Wind: Force 2 WNW
Temperature: 9 degrees
Weather: Clear and sunny
Distance Covered: 10.5 miles
Duration: 3.5 hrs
Access: Easy launch, landing and exit
Sea State: Small swell
Kayaks: P&H Scorpio and Easky 13

Mylor Harbour to
Porthbeor 

Click map to enlarge