St. Phillips To Portugal Cove

It's just a short jaunt and one we made many times but it is always fun just to hang with the guys on the water. Tony, Dean, Clyde, Brian,Sean and I made the paddle. Turned out to have very flat waters with no wind not a bad Dec.4th paddle at all.

Railing the shore and the rocks. The shoreline along this small section of coast is kind of rugged and the rock gardens provide entertainment for most seastates. Today even with no wind or swell to speak of there was still wave action around the rocks. Clyde found some.

In the distance along this stretch of  coastline you can see Piccos Ridge, Big Hill, Franks Hill and others on the horizon that pass by Bauline and on to Cape St. Francis. Here we are just out of St. Phillips.

Tony  working through some sea froth. Good to be padling with you again buddy.

The other thing I like about this stretch of coast are some narrow passages that have to be carefuly navigated depending on conditions.

Dean sinking and sneaking in behind an awash rock, covering and exposing at the ocean's whim.

Brian making way with the pack seeking distant headlands.

With none of the predicted winds of ESE gusting to 50km we made good time. Starting out was over cast some light mist but all soon cleared and visibility remained fine. We were just leisurely paddlers. In the distance is the Portugal Cove Ferry that traverses the Tickle from Portugal Cove to Bell Island seemingly many times a day. The distant headlands were to remain shrouded in fog and low lying clouds as the weather changed but was held off until after we got back in.

We also had the opportunity to paddle by big homes. Man this one is some size when viewing from the water.   ; )

Portugal Cove Or Bust: This Is The Ocean

It has been a while since I've been on the water. I sure know what I've been missing though. I've been miss'in Clyde in action!!

Clyde decided he wanted to side surf today. Hmmm I thought there could be photo matter. Clyde got his wish on the first wave. I got mine.  ; )

Seeing how that first one was so tastey I guess he decided to meet that other sucker that was right on the last ones tail. Steady buddy!!

At a boy Clyde...... Chew-Dat-Up!!!!

Now that looks like a smile. Ready for some more?? Very nice buddy, very nice!

"Just Do It"

Finally on the water and finally a kayaking blog entry.

It was a blustery day in St. Philips. A late put-in at about 1:30pm and gusting 50km winds made for some mini wave action and a bit of surfing. Brian and I caught this odor with an accompanying huge brown spot on the water and decided to investigate. ???????



A bunch of bows and I have to say that my camera is on its way out as the quality of pictures seems to diminish eveytime I use it. Too many dunks in the sea water  guess.

Brin and I took a bit of respite from some wind. We were paddling hard most of the time against the wind hoping to catch "the wave" for a decent surf back. You can do this in St. Pilips when the wind is SW. You paddle like the dickens out round a small headland then surf back. Why not? It's Saturday!

After so many times out and back everyone needed a bit of a break.

Some of the gang paddling into the waves and a brisk SW head wind. Great to be back on the water with a good bunch of people. Thanks Tony, Dean, Gary, Clyde, Brian,Tobias and Sean for another good one at St. Philly.



"Aquafort Back At Ya"

Sometimes paddles are exhilirating and you need to recant or decant a little more. A bit more from Sunday.

Paddling out of Aquafort Harbour was like a scene out of Sea Kayaker or Ocean Paddler magazine. It made you want to be there. I was lucky to be!

I love paddling with people who thoroughly enjoy it. I think all in our group fit that mold. Clyde here sure does as he feels a little current leaving the launch site.

Gary passes by the fishing boats at dock. I never tire of seeing them. They complete the imagery of what a coast means to me.

The other thing I like about the coastline are the docks, the shacks, the sheds and the walkways. Sometimes they just look so unfinished but no matter how they look they all fit in and add so much to the feel of a paddle along our shorelines. They are so acceptable. Bit of paint here, a dab there. You have to love it.

A Dory. I really don't need to say anything more!

We love our boats, kayakers do. I like including mine in scenery shots sometimes just so people can get a glimpse of what is possible by such a simple craft.

Oh yes, some in our crowd like Nordkapps. It doesn't matter to us if you don't own one but ya gotta like the looks of 'em.

"Aquafort Newfoundland"

Aquafort to Ferryland and Back.

Aquafort has a long harbour and it is one of those spots you paddle when seeking shelter from northerly or southerly winds. Yesterday was one of those times. A group of us got together for a very nice Sunday paddle and what started as an overcast drizzly day turned out to be one with sun and blue skies. Just as forecast. The harbour pretty much heads due east when you are paddling out. Enough fetch to be nasty with a true easterly for sure.

Railing the north shore as we build up a cadence for the rest of the trip. Probably about 18-20km total.



Located on the north side of the harbour is a waterfall that was bustling with energy as remnants of rainfall from the hurricane Igor were thundering down through its banks. Here we are jockeying for position and opposing the current flowing out from the base.

It looks like we may be in ice but not so just lots of froth from the fresh water smacking the seawater below the falls.

Well if you are going to paddle upon the likes of this you definitely have to stop and play. We had a grand time mucking around in the waters here that were more fresh than salt.

Some of the rocky groves were narrow to get through but the waters very calm to allow for close single file exploration.

Eugene is crossing into Ferryland territory heading for Crow Island.

Taking out at Freshwater beach looking back from hence we came, Aquafort.

In Ferryland is an old archaeology dig known as the Colony of Avalon. I guess because that is what it was called in the early 1600's when it was settled. There are unearthed many stone walls and rock partitions that delineate where black smiths, homes, and barns once existed. We decided to walk over to this site for a bit of a nostalgic bite to eat.

Of course the ever present wind kind of intensified so we walked until we found a bit of shelter from it and sat to enjoy our lunches in the light drizzle we are always accustomed to on our outings and the setting of the Colony of Avalon. Just across the road from where we ate the stone walls unearthed from the 1600's extend out into the harbour now. Times and tides have changed indeed. The spot looked directly into Ferryland.

After our bellies were full we packed up and headed for Burns Head which has the Ferryland Lighthouse. In the summer months you can enjoy a gourmet picnic served out of the lighthouse where everything is made on site. Very delicious but no landing spots when trying to access it by boat.

We had a mixture of sea states but for the most part the waters were easy to navigate. A bit of swell and wind waves rounding Burns Head though.

When you round Burns Head there are two huge rock promontories called "Hares Ears". The water was very chaotic around here but nice and tranquil in between so we jotted through having played in the chop for a while then headed back near Freshwater.

On the way back the weather changed as forecast. The sun came out the wind dropped off and the clouds started to file out of the sky in a very layered fashion. Like peeling the covers of a bed.

This is Clyde and Dean passing freshwater on the way back. So guys thanks to the other members, Gary, Eugene and Tony for a grand old paddle in an old environment recently unearthed and laid bare for modern explorers all within an hours drive of St. John's.

"Burgeo By Kayak"

Guess what? This is our last day. We travel a good bunch of  km to get from Wreck Island To Burgeo. Mixed with big water, undulating swell and calm barasways.

It was an 8am departure from wreck Island. I slept fitfully through the night having gone to bed early. Even missed the camp fire. Had bit of a chill as the fog rolled in, the skies over cast with periods of rain and the wind picked up through the evening. At about 3am I was awakened by the sound of waves hitting the beach that seemed intensified. Got up warily in the dark and walked down to beach to find the water washing under the stern of my boat. Ralph and Tony had secured it last evening. Ralph's boat was also having its' stern washed so I moved both boats further up beach and went back to bed relieved. Tony's boat was fine. We were anxious to get on the go and hoping weather would hold. The fog was just a km or so out to sea.

Waters were not bad at start and certainly manageable as we pass Wreck Island Harbour.

Rounding the outer rim of Green Island we begin to appreciate the increase in swell from the open ocean of the Gulf.

As we near Kelpy Cove Point the swell is ever increasing with a bit more wind.

We are exposed here and not sheltered from the SWesterlies.  We decide to paddle a bit more towards the worsening swell at the headland into open ocean.

Adjusting for taking a shot was no easy task as allot of paddles rounding Kelpy Cove Point were braces and many times my deck was a wash. We soldiered on to the bit of respite provided by the inner side of the head and Cowlest Barasway.

Later we round Barasway Point, pass by Doctor's Island and near and pass Slaughter Rock. Not sure how this rock got its' name but one can only imagine a number of possibilities in this area.

With the tougher waters behind us on this day we are lulled by the Barasway waters and can see the towers and Island of Burgeo in the far distance we are back! But not before a stop on Cornelius Island for some much needed drink and refueling.

Cornelius has this cabin in a neat little protected cove with green fields and smaller islands around. A beautiful tranquil spot before the Burgeo finish.

As I gain steam for Burgeo I take one last look behind and see Ralph and Tony rounding Cronelius Island we are off again for the final leg. I contemplate our trip, our adventure and our success and it is then that I know we have etched memories forever.

Distant Burgeo.

Tout Finis!