Gordon and I had a superb and sunny bank holiday weekend sea kayaking of the Cornish coast with 20 or so like minded sea kayakers.
Gordon arrived at my house in Okehampton on the Thursday evening, and we set off to Penzance on Friday morning. Good time was made, and we set up camp on the basic campsite before we had a wander around Penzance doing the tourist bit.
Saturdays paddle was a 21.4 mile trip from Penzance heading west towards Lands End. The trip involved plenty of rock hopping, and visits to Mousehole (pronounced mowzell) harbour and Newlyn Harbour. Lunch was spent on a small sandy beach with an interesting approach and exit through the surf which involved a few swims. Glorious sunny weather.
Sunday's trip was along the coast to the southern tip on England at Lizzard Point. Gordon and I set off to find the carpark at the beach from which we were starting. We lead the way with Jo (a fellow member of Exeter Canoe Club) following in her car. She knew where we were supposed to be going - I was navigator in the leading car, and i didn't know where we were going. My theory was that we headed towards Lizzard Point until we saw a sign for a pub, turned left and the sea was somewhere near. It did not work so Jo put us right. She knew where the beach was, and had a map, but could not read it whilst driving. Anyway, she sorted us out and we found the carpark with the others.
The paddle was about 15 miles, with masses of rock hopping and a few caves. We had lunch on a deserted beach, before looking at the new Lizzard lifeboat station. We then split into two groups; one paddled along the coast in gentle conditions, whilst the other went to play in the rougher tidal race.
We stopped at Lizzard Point where Gordon ate the last Donut that we had between us, whilst I scaled the cliffs to buy us both an ice cream.
On Bank holiday Monday, most of the group went off to paddle around Lands End. Gordon and I declared independence as we wanted to leave early. We paddled from Penzance, around St Michaels Mount, and along the coast for a while. Another sandy beach with breaking surf provided a place for a chocolate bar or two, before the return trip.
Photos are at
http://s432.photobucket.com/albums/qq44/sharpen253/Kayaking/Cornish%20Sea%20Kayak%20Rally%20Aug%202010/
