Wednesday, May 28, 2008

Jersey Canoe Club


The 9th Jersey Sea Kayak Symposium was a resounding success. Unlike many Symposia round the World, it is run on a voluntary, non profit basis by a local canoe club.

Peter Hargreaves is one of the very many members who gave their time voluntarily either on the water or washing up in the kitchen after the barbeque.

I am paricularly grateful to Kevin and Nicki Mansell, Alan Blampied and Peter Hargreaves.

Tuesday, May 27, 2008

Les Écréhous, Jersey


Jersey Canoe Club exceled themselves again by organising a trip out to Les Écréhous a reef 10 km off the NE coast of Jersey. The trip involves crossing some of the most tidal waters in the UK. Several groups returned at various ferry angles. The quickest was to cross the main current at 90 degrees then work the way back up the coast in slack water.

Monday, May 26, 2008

Amazingly the wind dropped.


Tour de Rozel, Jersey, Channel Islands.

We left St Catherine's in the NE of Jersey with the wind gusting to force 7 but it was veering rapidly from NE to SE. The water rounding Le Coupe Point was quite rough but once round we had calm seas and were shelteed from the winds all the way to Greve de Lecq. Amazingly Jersey canoe club had managed to lay on another great day despite the winds.

The last day barbecue was held in torrential rains and the local roads were like red rivers. The soil from the recently lifted potato fields was carried towards the sea.

Sunday, May 25, 2008

Sunshine and shade on Jersey


Midday sun at Greve de Lecq, Jersey, Channel Islands


We lost count of the huge caves to the east of the cove.

Saturday, May 24, 2008

Corbiere lighthouse, Jersey


Despite strong NE winds Jersey canoe club laid on a superb days sea kayaking on the first day of the symposium.


Corbiere lighthouse on the sheltered SW side of the island was one of the destinations.



24/05/2008

Friday, May 23, 2008

Little Greve de Lecq, Jersey


The 9th Jersey Sea Kayak symposium starts tomorrow. It is hosted by the Jersey canoe club.


Jersey has a stunning coastline. This beach can only be reached by boat or by some serious coasteering involving climbing, swimming and caving!



23/05/2008

Thursday, May 22, 2008

Sweet dreams are made of this.


"Sweet dreams are made of this
Who am I to disagree?
Travel the world and the seven seas
Everybody's looking for something"
Eurthymics

Imagine the crackle of the fire over the distant low murmur of the Grey Dogs tidal race. The aromatic smell of well seasoned driftwood mingles with the peaty aroma of a Jura malt whisky. In the distance the embers of the dying sun linger behind distant Ben More on Mull. Slowly darkness encroaches and the cobbles on the beach are lit with the flickering light of the fire. Tales of great seakayaking voyages are exchanged in hushed tones until tiredness brings on silent contemplation.

Sea kayaking dreams are made of this and we found and lived them on Scarba.