Post a Comment On: Sea Kayaking Beyond the Break

Richard's description of his journey to the Witches Cauldron provided the inspiration for this trip.

Arriving at Newport Pembs, I was surprised to find the place full up with kayakers! Should have guessed really that on a Bank Holiday weekend down here there may be a bit of sport on. It was the Newport Bay Spring Festival.

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We followed a mass of kayakers out of the Nyfer estury, where we parted company by heading up the coast north towards Cardigan, as they went south on their race.

What an interesting coastline we had in store for us.

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Towering cliffs, in places over 150m in height, lined the coastline. They have fantastic cross sectional patterns. The wavy strata looks to have been buckled under great forces of some other time.
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I know nothing about rocks, but even so, it didn't stop me being transfixed by these weird shapes in some child like way.

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With only a few exit points between the almost continuous cliff line, this is a committing trip.

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A few caves were dotted along the way to provide the usual distraction,

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and a well formed arch to shoot through with the swell.

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[Image][Image]The swell and wind had picked up quite quickly. Stopped to take a few photos and to start to look for the entrance to the cauldron, before I knew it I was a fair way behind the group, so aborted the cauldron seek to do a bit of catch up. Hywel, Adrian and Steve had continued on to get around Cemaes Head for some shelter.

[Image]We woke up a few seals who were asleep bobbing at the back of the cave.

[Image]Arriving at Poppit Sands, our journeys end, the swell had picked up enough on the incoming tide to provide a good sized wave to end with a bit of surfing. What more could you ask for at the end of a very picturesque paddle. Shall have to return another day to find out if there is any broth in that Witches Cauldron!
[Image]10Nm (19km)