Jersey Jaunts

Having not been on my blog for so long, I had decided to update it a wee bit when I came across this post - in draft! So rather than dump it, I'm posting, albeit nearly 10 months late!

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Having eventually got the house sort of emptied and the car all packed, we were off!
After a long, long drive, we eventually arrived in Poole, parked up in the ferry carpark and closed our eyes. When we surfaced a couple of hours later,  another 2 cars had appeared, obviously having the same idea as us, driving down overnight. It was Lori and Antje, Anne and Alan all down from Scotland as well.

Where's the sun?

Thankfully the ferry crossing this year was less eventful than 2 years ago. They were a bit surprised and unprepared for so many kayaks boarding and not desperately helpful with it!
Our first paddle of the symposium was a day trip round the north of the island with Natalie, Mikeal and Eric. It was also great meeting up with Doris and Felix again. We were putting in at St Catherine's with it's massive breakwater, then heading round the coast to Greve de Lecq for lunch. We had the chance to explore lots of caves, cuts, a waterfall and a gloup.

In the gloupe

After lunch we were now heading round the west side of Jersey, past my "incident gap", past Stinky bay along the long bay at L'Etacq and Le Braye then round to Corbierre, our get out. A lovely paddle covering some of the island we missed the last time.

 When we go to symposiums, I always think it's good to take the chance of trying new activities, as does Ken - but quite why I let him talk me into this days activities, I'm not too sure.

Ooh!

Oooh!

Ooooh!

 Cliffs and Caves! We made our way over to the next bay at St Brelade where we were kitted out with wetsuits, helmets and double sit on tops. A sit on top is bad enough, a double is worse, a double shared with Ken is worse yet! However off we went, across to the cliffs, where we jumped off the boats, clambered up the rocks and looked over the edge. Now I realise we were starting small, but to me this was big! Kevin gave us our instructions on how to jump, then proceeded to do a demo making it look so easy! When it came to my turn, I realised, I don't mind swimming around in swooshy, frothy water, I don't mind clambering up all sorts of rocks, but it's that bit, where your feet leave solid ground that I'm not happy doing! I did do a couple, but other than that, I would clamber up for a look, but that was enough. I was full of admiration to those who could just "take that step!" As for the caves part of the trip, the tide was out too far, so really it was just cliffs! Having chickened out of some of the jumps, I did still have a great day!

Day three, we were out Rock Gardening. This is likely to be the only type of gardening Ken is ever likely to do! Once again we were down at Corbierre Lighthouse. It really is a stunning location for paddling! This time Gordon split us up into smaller groups, my one being led by fellow Scot, Callum. We were practising timing - not my strong point!, then taking turns leading our wee groups round the rocks.
What was really surprising here was how many daft folks listen to the siren, the warning that the tide is about to cover the causeway, yet they still risk running across so they don't get wet feet!

In the afternoon we were down at St Brelade again. This time with a good Scottish turnout! Janet, Sandy, Alan, Anne, Lorri, Antje, Ken and myself all having a good giggle on the SUP's. We all had a great time, but I can't see the point on standing on one of those when you can have a nice seat in a kayak!

Lots of good wet fun!

A  SUP chain

This sunny afternoon was rounded off in the best way possible. Sitting on the beach eating icecream, before heading back to the hotel for a lovely cold beer!

Wheeee

One more go!

Day 4, surf's up! down at Le Braye. What a great time, always do with the surf. Don't know if I'll ever be really good at it, but who cares, it's fun! After that, we all piled into El Tico for eats.

Time for Tour de Rozel, the tiderace, next. This is a very fast bit of water zooming through between the headland and a rock. There just seemed to be kayaks going in all sorts of directions, all at great speed. Getting out was exhilarating, just don't like so  many boats close together. After an exhausting morning, we had pleasant, dry afternoon at the Orchid foundation.

Day 6, Ken obviously hadn't had enough zooming water the day before, so headed out to the tour again. Antje and I opted for a more gentle paddle, before going shopping in damp neoprenes for BBQ food for the evening BBQ at Greve de Lecq.

Unfortunately, we were now on our last day. There was a walk organised, however Ken, Julie and I went for a wee paddle out from St Brelade, round to Corbierre and back again.

A nice gentle paddle finished off a fantastic week, out with good friends, just fine!

Jersey - Ooops!

Our last day on Jersey has finally arrived and thankfully it's back to lovely sunshine! The crowds at breakfast are beginning to diminish although the chatting doesn't seem to have( I would say that's a good thing!)

Keeking round corners

Tracey, happy when on water!

We couldn't manage the full day trip today, so we were on the half day leaving from Greve de Lecq. We joined about 24 other paddlers down on the beach before heading west round the rocky coastline, keeking into various different caves, sneeking between rocks.

Premium car parking spot!

Possibly not!

Once we reached our destination of Stinky Bay ( I don't think you'll find it under that name on the Jersey tourist board map!), aptly named, because, well, there was a slight whiff in the air, the wee blue sweetie bag made it's appearance.

The wee blue sweetie bag

It was then time to turn and head back to the cars.
Everything was going swimmingly well, that is until I decided to go swimmingly!
About to cut back through a couple of rocks, I had been watching the water, timing it, Ha! Just when I thought, right go! I did. Unfortunately for me, the water wasn't playing fair and decided to keep emptying. The nose of the boat got caught on a rock and I was left with not a lot below me! My brace kept me going for a while, well at least until I went over! I surprised some folks by going for a roll, but I always try a roll and I reckon after my lovely rolls the day before it would have been successful if it hadn't been for the fact that the front of my boat was still pivoting on a rock! That's my excuse and I'm sticking to it!
There were a couple of issues which were bothering me as I was getting tossed around upside down.
1 - I need my boat in one piece, not taking it home in multiple carrier bags, I've still got the rest of my trip to go.
2 - I was in there with no helmet. I've been through rocks plenty of times and don't often wear a helmet, however seeing them this close up from underneath made me realise this should is something I should possibly rethink. I kept myself tucked in tight  but realised my boat was still hugging it's rock so I popped my deck and came out. The waves pulled me out, but then spat me back into the boily water. I was pulled back out again, was getting sooked back in again when a wave picked up my boat. All I saw was the big white hull of my boat in mid air flying towards me. I took a deep breath, realising I was going under, got on my back, bent my knees, stuck my feet up and got ready for a flying boat landing on me. Kicking the boat off me was enough to get it away from the swooshing water and over towards Ash, who managed to grab and empty it. I got on the front of another boat and over to Ash. I had one guy beginning to tell me how to grab deck lines and started to explain how to get rescued, by which time I was back in my boat with my deck back on, no point in hanging around. I looked round to see umpteen cameras on me, not that I've seen any of the photos!, but it's good to know kayakers get their priorities right - get some good action photos. Quite where Hubby dear was at this point, I'm not too sure, possibly checking whether he had the car keys or if I had them, in which case I'd need rescuing!  At no point did the swooshing water or flying boat bother me, being so close to the rocks with no helmet concerned me more.
I did entertain Tracey by pumping out my boat creating my own wee water feature.

Every boat needs a fountain

All too soon we were back on the beach, saying our goodbyes, then getting organised to catch the ferry.
We really have had a fantastic time down at the Jersey Symposium, meeting lots of like minded paddlers, trying out lots of different activities in flat calm conditions as well as very bumpy and fast moving conditions. Lots of good food, good beer, good ice cream, good company and a good crack the whole week! Huge thanks to everyone for organising the symposium and JCC for making everyone so welcome especially Tracey and Stef (fellow Scot!)
Thankfully the ferry was on time with a nice gentle sail back into Poole arriving at the back of 11pm.
It seems appropriate that this is my 100th post, ending one adventure and starting my next adventure on post number 101 on yet another island.

Leaving Jersey behind

Jersey - rocks 'n' rolls

 

Slightly damp conditions

Tight squeeze

Tides turned, a bit more room!

Today is our penultimate day and is unfortunately chucking it down! So they do get rain in Jersey!
We made our way down to St Brelade's Bay to meet up with Natalie and the rest of the group to have a wee trip round to the bay at Rosiere for a spot of rock hopping, paddling  in, round, through and under the rocks with some spots turning into a watery highway with kayaks giving way to other kayaks going in all sorts of directions. It was then time to return for a bite of lunch before our afternoon session, still at St Brelade's.

Lots of wee nooks and crannies

It's no secret that rolling and me have somewhat parted company, so when a rolling session came up for that afternoon, I reckoned it wouldn't do me any harm to have yet another try at resurrecting my absent roll!

Health and safety seen this ladder?

Agnes stand up paddle kayaking!

Agnes and John took a group of us out into the bay, giving us more hints and tips. We all stated what sort of stage our rolling was at. I'm pleased to say I wasn't the only one with an AWOL roll. My partner Kay and I spent a wee bit time practising different exercises (Hubby dear was keeping his distance, I've had plenty personal rolling coaching/nagging from him!) Kay then went for a roll and managed a couple of times on one side, not the other. So with a bit of trepidation it was then my turn (Yes, I know, it's all in the head, but the more it goes wrong, the more I expect it to go wrong and as a result it will go wrong!!!) I really concentrated on slowing it all down and I came back up easily! funny how you just know it's right! So I decided to go on the other side, I came back up easily again! So maybe my mojo has returned! - until I need it!
Happy, frozen and soaking (did I mention I didn't have a drysuit with me?) I decided to call it a day and finish on a high.

The washing lines

After rinsing our kit and a hot bath to thaw out we then made our way over to Greve de Lecq for a BBQ. Thankfully the weather had returned to Jersey weather, dry and warm.
A lovely finish to yet another great days paddling!

A lovely selection of nosh!