The Camas Centre, Ross of Mull, Scotland

In the summer of 1989 I took my first steps down the track to Camas Tuath, they were not my last either, and part of me has never left. Being at the Camas Centre, and on Iona, that summer transformed my view of the world as a young man and those initial experiences continue to shape my approach to outdoor learning, even now.

It was in these places I discovered the joy of working in remote settings and real community living. I was able to reflect upon ways my faith could grow and was equipped with the means to understand my own spirituality as I progressed in life. These experiences and subsequent times spent at Camas inspired my career choices to become an outdoor educator.

The Camas Centre plays a crucial role in the lives of the young people and adults that visit the centre, by offering them the opportunity to see core-values being lived out on a daily basis via the resident team, thus enabling them to manage any future tides of change in a positive way, by modeling what they experience at the centre.

And regardless of how we use it to promote aspects of social learning, being at Camas also helps us all embrace good environmental stewardship to preserve what there is to enjoy by simply being there. The sense of connection with nature that is achieved by working on the land, exploring the water, and the shared enjoyment of Camas is both powerful and transformative.

I firmly believe that participating in a week of community living at Camas can act as a catalyst for change within an individual by creating a sense of connection with and an awareness of others as well as the environment in which we live together.

Go to: The Camas Centre

#LifeIsPrecious #Camas #Adventure

December's Newsletter

STORM GATHERING USA • FIRST TIME CIRCUMNAVIGATION OF JAMAICA

Here at Greenland or Bust, we are incredibly excited about the coming year. First off, registration for Storm Gathering USA starts on Monday! This three-day event is based off the other event that we organize, the UK Storm Gathering. The website is up and running, with complete event information, including coaches, sponsors and the schedule. Check it out, and ask us if you have any questions.

Another major thing that's coming up is our attempt to circumnavigation Jamaica. We fly there on Dec 28, meet up with Wes Moses and spend the next few weeks paddling around the place. Special thanks to our awesome sponsors for supporting the expedition! Helen will be using gear provided by Kokatat,  Snap Dragon,  Barz Optics, WindPaddle Sails, Outdoor Research and Joe O' Paddles. Mark and Wes will be using gear provided by Kokatat, Snap Dragon, Barz Optics, WindPaddle Sails and Celtic Paddles.

In other news, we are putting together our 2015 Rebel Kayaks sponsored Nordic Tour. We have confirmed classes scheduled in Sweden, Denmark and Norway. The tour will be from May 23 to August 30. The complete schedule will be posted in early next year.

We are also guiding an expedition in Antarctica from December 31, 2015 to January 27/28, 2016. Wanna go with us? E-mail us at info@greenlandorbust.org for details.

Storm Gathering USA, planning Jamaica and setting up the Nordic Tour have kept us really busy throughout November, although we did have time for a few other activities. Helen led a Traditional Skills Paddle, a surf and crabbing session and did a presentation titled "South Greenland Expedition and the Greenland National Kayaking Championship" for our local kayaking club, Explore North Coast. Mark ran two Canoe Wales 'Coaching Matters' programs - "Who's Leading Who" and "Overcoming Anxiety With Action," as well as BCU 4 Star courses on Anglesey, Wales.

In December, we have Simplifying the Roll classes taking place in Dana Point and Marina Del Rey. We'll also be spending some time catching up with family before heading to Jamaica!

We hope that you have a fantastic Holiday season. Don't forget to register for Storm Gathering USA on Monday. That's one water based party you don't want to miss.

As usual, visit www.greenlandorbust.org for more information and our current Events calendar and Blog postings. For questions, comments or to schedule us in your neighborhood, e-mail info@greenlandorbust.org.

Happy paddling!

Helen and Mark

Dr. T's Coaching Corner

Paddling performance is said to be influenced by the interaction of technical, tactical, physiological and psychological factors (TTPP).

This 'TTPP components model' (BCU, 2006) can be used to structure long-term practice and help individuals identify which dimension(s) may need further development in order to achieve optimal performance on the water.

Technical represents the individual skill that, when executed well, forms the technical template of 'best practice' for a stroke.

Tactical represents how we apply those skills in any given environment through our understanding of timing, angle, edge, trim, speed, cadence, use of water features… and so on.

Physiological represents a paddler's endurance, flexibility, strength, ability to hydrate and balance nutritional needs.

Psychological represents our ability to overcome anxiety, manage arousal, determine self-belief / confidence and motivational reasoning.

Being able to assess obstacles within each factor can help us adopt the right tools and tactics, such as goal setting, variation of practice, strength endurance use of imagery and self talk to help us achieve the greatest gains in overall performance.

Future newsletters will highlights some of the strategies we can use to develop each domain. Stay tuned!

Program Schedule

Simplifying the Roll: December 13, Dana Point, California

Simplifying the Roll: December 20, Marina Del Rey, California

Jamaica Circumnavigation Attempt: December 28, Jamaica

Storm Gathering USA: March 6 to 8, Trinidad, California

Simplifying the Roll: March 28, Anglesey, Wales

Combat Rolling: March 29, Anglesey, Wales

4 Star Sea Training and Coastal Navigation: March 30 to April 3, Anglesey, Wales

Anglesey Adventure Week: April 6 to 10, Anglesey, Wales

Simplifying the Roll: April 11, Anglesey, Wales

Combat Rolling: April 12, Anglesey, Wales

Paddle Marathon Laguna Bacalar 2015: May 1 to 3, Bacalar, Mexico

…And Finally

Working on your roll and need a little help? Simplifying the Roll with Helen Wilson and Yoga for Outdoor People are available from our on-line store HERE. 

Yoga for Outdoor People can also be purchased as a download from the Digital Goods Store.

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Copyright © 2014 Greenland or Bust, All rights reserved.

Helen Wilson and Mark Tozer • (707) 834-5501

info@greenlandorbust.org

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The Conway Ascent

The Conwy Ascent is an upstream canoeing event, taking advantage of the flood tide to start in the Deganwy Narrows and finish at Dolgarrog Bridge approximately 15km away. The river offers many challenges in reading water and weather conditions as well as being is rich in wildlife and beautiful scenery such as the imposing Conwy Castle.

The event is run by Dyffryn Conwy Paddlers and comprises both a marathon race and a tour, and paddlers may race or tour in any canoe or kayak of their choice. Following the successful introduction at the 2009 Conwy Ascent, there is also a race for Stand Up Paddleboards.

I found myself with a rare Saturday off from work and so decided to enter the tour, rather than the race, to give myself a chance to blow the cobwebs away. Its been a while since I have paddled competitively and I didn't really fancy the 'Le Mans' start, but registering for the event and wearing the bib did remind me of days gone by as a sprint and marathon paddler with West Cumbria Canoe Club.

The Afon Conwy is a beautiful river in North Wales flowing through the picturesque Conwy valley from the Snowdonia National Park to the sea. It meets the sea at Deganwy after passing under the walls of the 13th century castle and through the harbour at Conwy.

Paddling my Tiderace Xcite and using a Greenland paddle, I was pleased with my progress and completed the ascent in 1 hour, 24 minutes. I was surprised at how competitive I got after having passed several paddlers in the early stages. Maybe next year I'll give the race a go.

And for those who are looking for a bit more punch to their paddling then consider participating in the Menai Challenge as established by John Willacy, an accomplished racer and Anglesey circumnavigator. There is also the ‘Swellies Extreme’ Sea Kayak Race to participate in over 29th/30th October weekend organised by Kayak Essentials.

Pictures of the 2011 ascent can be found here. 

Sea Kayak Playboating

North Wales is blessed with impressively powerful tidal streams, the famous headlands of Penrhyn Mawr and North Stack are a testimony to the huge volumes of water that sluice past our coastline every day. This is clearly great news for sea kayakers who are prepared to seek a thrill in these offshore tide races. However, there are a number of other venues on Anglesey that can provide the eager paddler  with some great lunar-powered play spots, as highlighted recently by Justine and Barry's trip to the Swellies.

The Menai Straits divide Anglesey from the mainland, and the Swellies exist as the stretch of moving water between the Menai and the Britannia suspension bridges that span the Straits. The Swellies are notoriously hard to navigate because of numerous shoals, whirlpools and surges with tides that can accelerate to speeds in excess of 8 knots. The Swellies have been the scene of many mysterious shipwreck and celtic legends are abound. One of the most well known incidents occurred when the wooden training ship HMS Conway ran aground on the Platters Reef.

The great thing about the Swellies, which are spread out over a mile-long stretch of water, is that paddlers are presented with a number of accessible and enjoyable white water features that form and disappear according to the strength and height of the tide. The following is a brief summary of the principal information needed to enjoy a number of play areas including Swellie Wave (as pictured by Justine Curgenven).

Drive into the town of Menai Bridge, where a number of access points are available. The town slipway is convenient, but requires a ten-minute paddle to reach the Swellies. Better still, drive the narrow road that passes directly under the bridge on the Anglesey shore. With luck, you'll find one of the few parking spaces still empty. Here you can either scramble over the wall and launch directly under the bridge (a good choice at High Water), or from the beach 100 metres north of the bridge. If launching at Low Water, walk up the road away from the bridge in a southerly direction. At the brow of the hill, take the footpath that leads directly down to a muddy beach 200 metres south of the bridge.

The Swellies can be paddled on either the flood of the ebb - most paddlers aim to arrive at either of High or Low Water Slack, which occurs in the Swellies 2 hours before High Water or Low Water Liverpool.  The Flood tide runs in a north-east direction in this part of the Menai Strait (right to left when looking across to the mainland from Anglesey), while the Ebb runs south-west. 

On Spring tides, local High Water is usually around the middle of the day, while local Low Water is generally in the morning and evening. Thus, on Spring tides, locals can grab a paddle on the Flood before or after work, while visitors can enjoy the Ebb while everyone else is earning a crust.

Sea Kayak Adventures

I was asked recently by someone who intends to visit North Wales this summer about potential sea kayaking trips that I would recommend and this got me thinking about the breadth of options available to them. As it so happens there were five trips I did over the winter that stand out to me as being some of the better ones to choose from. I list them here, not in any rank order, with some description of the location and tidal information. To assist with any planning, I would recommend getting a copy of Welsh Sea Kayaking by Jim Krawiecki and Andy Biggs, which is available direct from Pesda Press.

The Ormes

Great Ormes Head is one of the most identifiable landmarks on the North Wales coast, and can be seen clearly from the A55. The imposing limestone cliffs teem with bird life and contrast the somewhat flat features of Llandudno, a popular seaside resort established in the Victorian era. Further east across Llandudno Bay is Little Ormes Head, which can feel equally dramatic when paddling beneath it. Although a trip around these cliffs can feel serious because of long stretches without suitable egress, the tidal planning is straightforward and the currents are relatively weak. The trip can be a short one, from West Shore to North Shore or even extended beyond the Little Orme to Rhos on Sea.

High water occurs 30 minutes before Liverpool. The west going stream begins after 30 minutes after HWL, whilst the east going stream begins 6 hours before HWL. The spring rate is no more than 3 knots.

The Stacks

The western extremities of Anglesey are referred to as the Stacks and any trip around these noble outposts of pre-cambrian rock that jut into the Irish sea can be rewarding, breathtaking and at times ferocious. The Stacks are exposed to the most storm and tide, as well as possibly the highest wind and wave action.  As such, the coastline is popular with those sea kayakers wishing to advance their skills. Passage around the Stacks should be well planned to account for the tide races and overfalls that exist at North Stack, South Stack and Penryhn Mawr. Either that so they can be used to maximum effect for playing, or to ensure more moderate waters to allow for rock hopping and bird watching. Soldiers Point, east side of Holyhead and Porth Dafarch, east of Treardurr Bay are popular launch sites depending on which way round you wish to go.

High water at Holyhead occurs 50 minutes before Liverpool. High water in Penrhos Bay occurs 1.30 hours before Liverpool. At North Stack, the north-east going stream begins 5 hours after HWL, whilst the  south-west going stream begins 2 hours before HWL. At South Stack, the north-north-east stream begins  4 hour 50 minutes after HWL, whilst the south-south-west stream begins 1 hour 10 minutes before HWL. At Penrhyn Mawr, the north-west going stream begins 3 hours and 30 minutes after HWL, whilst the south-west going stream begins 1 hour and 15 minutes before HWL. The spring rate can exceed 6 knots.

The Skerries 

A trip to the Skerries is a North Wales classic. It is a committing offshore paddle that requires sound tidal planning, as well as good skills to deal with the ever present overfalls. The Skerries are a cluster of barren rocky islets exposed to the full might of the Irish Sea. They are overlooked by a prominent lighthouse on the largest of the islands and are a breeding ground for a variety of seabirds. Again, this is seen as an advanced trip due to the exposed nature of the paddling. Popular access and egress points include Church Bay on the west coast, below Carmel Head and Cemlyn Bay on the north coast, east of Carmel Head.

High water occurs 45 minutes before Liverpool. The north-west going stream begins 5 hours and 15 minutes after HWL, whilst the south-west going stream begins 45 minutes before HWL. The spring rate can exceed 6 knots around the Skerries and in Carmel Sound. 

Rhoscolyn

The journey from Borthwen around Rhoscolyn Beacon and past the Head into Penrhos Bay is one of the most appealing trips available on Anglesey. An indented coastline offers up caves, arches and passageways than can provide a variety of options for those keen to explore. The cliffs are not too imposing, though at times landing or escape are not easy. Strong tidal movement can be felt in the Sound and overfalls are present on the southern side of the Beacon. Depending on the direction the trips takes you can end up with ice creams in Treardurr Bay or a beer at the White Eagle near Borthwen.

High water occurs 1 hour 30 minutes before Liverpool. Off shore from Rhoscolyn, the north-west going stream begins 4 hours and 30 minutes after HWL, whilst the south-west going stream begins 1 hour 30 minutes before HWL. In Rhoscolyn Sound, the north-west going stream begins 3 hours after HWL, whilst the south-west going stream begins 1 hour 30 minutes before HWL. The spring rate is around 4 knots at Rhoscolyn Beacon and Rhoscolyn Head

Puffin Island

The easternmost point of Anglesey is marked by a precipitous mass of rock that is home to a host of nesting seabirds including the much vaunted puffin. The island goes by several names but most refer to it as Puffin Island, though Ynys Seirol is not an uncommon reference. St Seirol established a monastery on the island, and folklore has it that he was referred to as the pale saint. The popularity of this trip stems from its ease of access, the wildlife that is present here and that it can be completed in a variety of craft. However, the Sound itself can provide interesting conditions depending on the state of the tide. It is possible to gain access from Penmon Point but a toll needs to be paid at the Priory, so many park and launch in the layby before it. One advantage of setting off from the shingle beech at the Point are the rewards available from the tea shop which is open in the summer months.

High water occurs 30 minutes before Liverpool. The tide goes north through Puffin Sound and then runs north-west 30 minutes before HWL, whilst the south-east going stream runs 5.30 hours after HWL. The spring rate is no more than 3 knots.

If you wish to have a guided sea kayak experience, either on any of the trips listed or wish to visit some of the more esoteric gems on the Anglesey coastline such as Llandwyn Island (above), then get in touch.

Kayaking in the Florida Keys

There are many kayaking tours that are available for exploring the Florida Keys and whether you are a beginner or experienced, there is a tour for every skill level. There are a number of different venues to accommodate every taste so if paddling on the sea in a tropical paradise is the adventure you’ve been looking for, sea kayaking in the Florida Keys may just be what you’ve been searching for while vacationing in the state. Most of the tours are strategically located to enable a kayaking adventure in the Everglades and the Florida Keys so you are sure to find one that facilitates your adventurous needs.

There are also numerous kayaking tours that are eco-friendly, geared towards families, and nature kayaking tours. You’ll be able to enjoy cruising shorelines that are protected and out of the wind that you would normally have to deal with when cruising the open beach areas. You can enjoy the crystal clear waters while observing some of the Florida wildlife in the process. Most of the tours proceed at a leisurely pace so that you can easily enjoy the scenery and take all the photos that you want. Most of the tours are also limited to the number in the party so that the experience is more enjoyable.

The waters of the Florida Keys have remained virtually unchanged for decades thanks to the efforts of local and national organisations such as national parks, national wildlife refuges, and other state parks. There are a number of mangrove islands set in clear waters that enable you to observe the indigenous marine life and wildlife in their natural habitat. The backcountry waters and oceanside flats add to the experience whenever you are observing the wildlife in this unique environment. Just be aware that there are a number of endangered species that live here.

The wildlife in the Florida Keys is nothing short of diverse. It is exotic, mysterious, and tropical. It is a stopping point for birds journeying further south to their final destination in South America as well as the home to a variety of sea creatures that you will never find in the colder waters of the Atlantic Ocean. There is a deer refuge as well as West Indies marine life such as the West Indian manatee and the West Indies spiny lobster. Birds such as the osprey and roseate spoonbill are common here as well. One way or the other, there is more marine life and wildlife here than what you have ever imagined.

Getting There

If you’ve recently been considering travelling to Florida on holiday or for an extended vacation, you should consider visiting the city of Orlando and touring the Florida Keys. There are a number of cheap flights to Orlando currently available as well as package deals that include your flight and lodging once you arrive there. Aside from Walt Disney World and other notable theme parks in Orlando, many people venture down to the Florida Keys to enjoy a memorable kayaking adventure, very popular water sport that many locals and tourists participate in.

Kokatat Supports Justine Curgenven

Kayaking around the tip of the world, Tierra del Fuego, has never been successfully completed. Kokatat team member and skilled paddler, Justine Curgeven and her partner Barry Shaw, hope to be the first successful pair to accomplish this rugged 1,000-mile kayak expedition. Kokatat is thrilled to support Curgenven on this expedition, which has previously been attempted by a Kokatat supported team, but was aborted due to uncooperative weather.

The expedition couple will bring in the new 2011 calendar year by departing for the expedition on Jan. 1. They have allocated 70 days to complete the trip. La Isla Grande, the big island of Tierra del Fuego lies less than 100 miles north of Cape Horn; the eastern part of the island belongs to Argentina, while the western part is claimed by Chile. It is a notorious region for high winds and bad weather.

“I know this will be a very challenging trip with a lot of strong winds but I’m really looking forward to being immersed in nature for a couple of months in this wild and stunning place,” said Curgenven. Updates of the expedition will be posted via Justine's blog.

Curgenven will be outfitted in Kokatat gear from head to toe to meet the demands of the unvarying weather and paddling conditions, including: the GORE-TEX® Front Entry Drysuit with drop seat, Scout Shoes, MsFIT Tour PFD, Surfskin Balaclava,Outercore Long Sleeve, Destination Hand Cover, Destination Vent Cap, Womens' Paddling Trunk, GORE-TEX Paclite Storm Cag,Temptest Pant and the Women's Destination Paddling Pants.

About Kokatat Watersports Wear 

For the past 39 years, Kokatat has built a reputation as a friendly company of paddling enthusiasts, dedicated to creating innovative paddlewear and accessories. Kokatat is a highly trusted brand known for its independence, high level of quality in addition to an extremely well respected, service-driven business model. Kokatat is an incredibly strong brand and is known for authenticity and launching game changing paddling products. 

As always, Kokatat continues to support experienced paddlers attempting first descents and expeditions. The company proudly provides the athletes with the best paddling gear in the whitewater industry.

Please visit www.kokatat.com and follow Kokatat on Twitter “@kokatat” or via the blog

Kayaking in Thailand

Modern sea kayaking can trace its ancestry to the lands of Alaska, Canada and Greenland. However, unlike the original need for such crafts to be used for hunting and connecting communities, sea kayaking in the present  day is very much a recreational activity that can take place on any type of waters.  Be that lakes, rivers, estuaries as well as the open ocean, at home or abroad.

Interest in kayaking has spread globally, and is a popular activity for many people who want to have a safe adventure whilst on holiday. And even though not everywhere will have the traditional sea kayak available for use, accessing boats like sit-on-tops can be an equally fun way to discover the sea and all that it has to offer. One such destination where you can enjoy a peaceful vacation far away from the crowded city streets, and explore its waterways by kayak, is Thailand.

Kayaking in Thailand

There are literally hundreds of pristine areas along the Thailand coast, as well as inland, which offer up numerous opportunities for adventure and exploration in a tranquil environment beset amongst some of the most spectacular landscapes. No other place in the world allows you to kayak to a deserted beach and camp out under the stars, whilst enjoying the food you prepare over an open campfire. For many, it just doesn’t get any better than this.

Many paddlers prefer coastal sea kayaking holidays versus inland ones. Travelers can spend days kayaking around numerous islands in the Andaman Sea, exploring deep into the reaches of the fantastic Mangrove forests, observing all the wildlife the region is home to, and seeing some of the most massive limestone outcroppings in the world. Phang Nga Bay is one of the more popular tourist destinations, especially for those visitors who have come to enjoy a sea kayaking adventure. So you can expect this area to be rather crowded during the peak tourist season.

Kayaking in Remote Area

Although Phang Nga Bay is a popular tourist destination just outside of Phuket, there are still a number of opportunities to avoid the hoards of international travelers and locals so that you can go kayaking in remote areas and enjoy a peaceful environment. One of the most tranquil settings in Phang Nga Bay is the island of Koh Yao Noi. If you want to avoid the crowds and enjoy some excellent camping and kayaking, then this is the island to visit. There are numerous day trips available out to the island with high quality rental equipment available so you can explore the island shoreline unsupervised.

Kayaking Adventures

If you’re looking for a kayaking adventure, then you will probably want to explore the inland reaches of Thailand. The crowded beaches of Phuket will suddenly fade into the distance when you explore some of the hidden islands and lagoons along and off the coastline. This is adventure kayaking at its finest. You can find a number of waterways and swamps while visiting Bangkok as well, but the environment is not as pristine as what the shores along the Andaman coast are. Pollution is still a huge issue in Bangkok, although the situation has improved somewhat in recent years. That is the primary reason for considering the many opportunities that Phuket, the surrounding areas, and the Andaman coast offer.

Getting There

Reaching Thailand by air today is easier than ever before, thanks to a number of international flights to Bangkok available in numerous countries throughout the world. Thailand is one of Southeast Asia’s most popular tourist destinations, mainly due to its excellent cuisine, fascinating culture, great beaches and a tropical climate. However, for many international travellers it is the thrill of sea kayaking and kayaking tours in Thailand that attract these visitors.

The Puffin Island Triangle

Some time ago I formulated a plan for a trip that, in essence, is situated in my own back yard. There is every likelihood it has been done before but for the sake of providing a title for this article I will refer to it as the Puffin Island Triangle. The principle idea being that the journey involves completing three open crossing of similar length as well as appealing to my sense of geometry. 

The route currently begins and finishes at the Penmaenmawr Sailing Club, which can be found on the promenade just off the A55. The first leg goes out to Puffin Island. From there the crossing goes to the Great Orme and finally returning to the sailing club. Each leg of the journey is approximately 9kms. It was not intended as a lone challenge, or a race even, more as a interesting day out with friends. However, so far circumstances have dictated that my good friend, Ali Othen, has completed the Triangle in 4 hours and 5 mins, going solo on a well planned Spring tide, whilst I did it in 4 hours 45 mins on Neaps with a SE 4 - 5 as hindrance! Anyone with astute seamanship skills can no doubt plan the route in such a way to maximise the ebb and flood for greater efficiency as well as pick out suitable variations in direction and launching points.

The common question people ask, who perhaps do not share the same deep love of sea kayaking, is 'why?'. Funnily enough, I was asking myself the same thing as I struggled with every paddle stroke on the Puffin to Orme section as the wind worked hard to defeat me. On reflection, it becomes a test of resilience as I'm not a huge fan of open crossings, probably because I get bored and when paddling alone I get lost in my thoughts which is not always a good thing. Company is often much preferred, even if it is just a few words ever so often to break the spell of introspection. Nonetheless, resilient one must be to complete whatever journey you have set out to do.

Any such undertaking requires the paddler to feel confident in and comfortable with their sea kayaking equipment. As ever, I employed my trusty Tiderace Xcite for the job, along with using Mitchell paddles. I was protected from the elements by my Kokatat TecTour Anorak, wearing an Inner Core top underneath and my buoyancy aid of choice was the Ronin, which is rapidly becoming a favourite. So all in all a good test of body, mind and boat with the luxury of knowing a hot bath afterwards was only a short drive away :o)

More pictures of the trip can be found here

Bardsey Adventures

I recently had the chance to get on the water with Justine and Barry along with other Bardsey Island 'virgins' like myself - Pete Astles from Peak UK and Jeff Cochran. This may be a terrible admission to some but this is a trip I've wanted to do but had not yet done till Barry gave my an inspired phone call and serendipity played its part. And in case your wondering, we left the sixth member of the team behind! 

The open crossing itself, whilst having an air of commitment about it, was uneventful on this occasion but one can appreciate the complex nature of the tides and the need for thorough planning, even in the best of conditions. If a paddling team wanted to ensure not only a successful crossing but a rounding of the island also, then some thought needs to go into the undertaking.

Landing on Bardsey enabled us to enjoy the hospitality of the Porter family who have been living and working on Ynys Enlli since October 2007 and amongst other things run a superb tea and gift shop. The other things consist of farming 400 Welsh mountain sheep, 20-30 Welsh Black cattle and various poultry, as well as managing the land and performing monitoring duties for the RSPB.

In all, a wonderful day in great company with superb scenery and paddling conditions. And as with any jolly outing, it was rounded off with fish and chips then home made scones - food of champions :o)