Alps Alternative Week 1 Pembroke.
Day 4 The Bitches, St Justinian’s to Whitesands Beach, Surfing at Whitesands Bay and Coasteering at Blue Lagoon
Day 04a The Bitches
The tide was an hour later today, so we headed down to the car park at St Justinian`s at 8:30am. It was too late, and all the places were taken. We dropped the kayaks off, and I was not prepared to pay the £5 for the overflow car park so dropped the car back at the campsite and walked the 1km down to the lifeboat ramp. We paddled in the back eddy as far as we could before heading over to “the bitches” again. We were a littler earlier today and the waves seemed to be a little larger. Here a fishing boat came over to take a look.
We played and surfed for a while and then attempted to get onto the main wave on the middle rock. The rocks were extremely sharp as we tried to pull ourselves forward in the eddy. The sea was pulsing all the time and we briefly managed to get on the wave for a few seconds. As the tide dropped off, we went to explore the caves and waterfalls on Ramsey Island before paddling back to St Justinian`s to meet the others.
Day 04b St Justinian’s to Whitesands Beach
We met the others just after 11:30 at St Justinian`s lifeboat ramp. They had been snorkelling around the rocks and caves below St Justinian`s. Once all on the water we paddled north around the headland to explore the cliffs and caves. There was a slight swell an this made rock hopping interesting. We could see the North End of Ramsey Island in the distance, and we rounded the corner into Whitesands Bay. As we rounded the headland, we passed between Carreg-gafeiliog island (a small rock outcrop) and the mainland. We paddled into the beach at Porthselau. This is the beach below the campsite at Pencarnan Farm Camping & Caravan Park which was the first campsite that we used to use on the Pembroke weekends back in 2009 (the one with the milk churns).
After a short rest we explored the coastline along to the shell white sands of Whitesands bay. Along the way we saw a large group of people (5 or 6) on paddle boards and rubber tubes all joined together by lines. The front person was waving and shouting, and they were making slow headway against the slight breeze that had picked up. Stuart and some of the others made their way over to them to enquire if they needed assistance? They said no they were ok but soon after turned back towards Porthselau beach.
Day 04c Surfing at Whitesands Bay
After a snorkel round the rocks in the morning we all regrouped and set off along the coast to white sands bay. The beach was busy with surfers and swimmers. We paddled over to the surfing area between the black and white flags and where soon catching decent size waves that when you caught a good one, you’d ride it all the way back to shore. Even better, a super wave there would be a few of you on the same wave. Whooping as you surfed to shore. I even managed a mid-surf high five with Aleksander. No surf tubes though. I’m still in search of catching one.
At the back of the breakers a seal popped up in front of Roy. I just caught a glimpse as it dove back down below the waves. We had to be careful with the surfers given it was busy but there was plenty of waves for us all. As Keith was taking photo’s I caught a great wave. I tried to turn on the wave but before I knew it, I was heading straight for Keith. Thinking quickly, Keith managed to tip himself over just in time for me to surf over the tip of his boat and him! I turned back and with skill, Keith rolled back up – camera still in hand. Sorry Keith – oops!
After an hour or so we had all tired ourselves out. We made our way back to shore and parked our boats. A group set off on foot along the headland to collect the cars, while everyone else had a well-deserved ice cream. After a short wait we heard the announcement from the lifeguards saying they were about to close the beach due to a sea fog rolling in. Within minutes the beach was completely blanketed with fog and the crowds started to disperse. Luckily for us the cars soon arrived before the rush, and we quickly packed up and set off back to camp.
A great day was had by all.
Day 04d Coasteering at Blue Lagoon
We waited for the evening tide at 6:30pm and then drove the short distance to Abereiddy beach and the Blue Lagoon (and old slate quarry). We wore paddling gear with good foot ware and started scrambling around the bottom of the cliffs that led out from the beach. At times we had to wade through the water or climb a little higher. Eventually we came to gap that was too wide to cross so had to jump into the water and swim to the other side. We climbed up and went through an arch (hole) and climbed down into the blue Lagoon. There were several other groups in there.
We swam across the lagoon (old quarry) and climbed up onto an old wall. We were able to jump in feet first with arms tightly around our buoyancy aids. Some of us then went even higher to jump off an old quarry wall. The drop was about 6m which was good fun. We eventually swam back to the other side and Maria and Gabrielle climbed up to the path to walk back with Steve.
Sara, Keith and Nikki swam out of the Lagoon to explore a little more before scrambling and swimming our way back to the beach.
