Over the VHF, I have often heard marine traffic talking about Q1 and Q2, these being the outermost buoys of the Liverpool Approach.  But where exactly are these places, and what are they like? Given the huge amount of water that enters and leaves the Mersey Estuary,  it makes sense for any return trip into Liverpool… Read More »Crosby to Ainsdale via Q2, by Robin Emley

Ian Bell put out a suggestion for ‘sea Sunday’ for Sunday 13 August 2017, asking if any sea kayakers would like to find a sea trip. This was much welcomed by me and I was delighted to meet up with a group of eight paddlers on West Shore. We got on the water by 11am,… Read More »Sea kayaking – round the Great Orme by Sarah Horton

The last day of paddling so we made it a long one at 39km-ish. The shuttle left the camp early (thanks Keith & Mark) and we walked our kayaks over to the Durance to get on just below Les Ecrins Campsite slalom course to set off for Embrun. We paddled as 1 large group led… Read More »Alpine paddling – Middle & Lower Durance, 04/08/2017

3 clubs (Liverpool, St Helen’s and Colwyn) joined forces for the day. Forming 2 groups of 7 we set off for our second run of the Ubaye race course. There were a lot less swims this time round even though the water levels were a little lower making the run a slightly more technical. Our… Read More »Alpine paddling – Ubaye Racecourse, 03/08/2017

The second river of Ciaron’s last day! As tonight is the night we’re going out into Briancon for a meal, we planned for an early finsh and this afternoon paddled a short section of river; the Upper Durance. Apart from the sewage outfall which has given this run the nickname ‘stinky poo river…’ this is… Read More »Alpine Paddling -Upper Durance 02/08/2017 by Hannah Bellamy

1st river of Ciaron’s last day. The water levels were a little higher than last week with the warmer weather providing some extra melt water. Team bra (Ian + his team of girls – Helen, Hannah, Wendy & Jenny) set off in the fast ferocious flow. Today there seemed to be less eddies and the… Read More »Alpine paddling – Upper & Middle Guisane, 02/08/2017

Today we took a rest from paddling and journeyed to the Ecrins National Park. Established in 1973, the park covers nearly 200 000 hectares and is home to 1800 plant, 75 mammals, 235 bird, 16 reptile, 10 amphibian and 21 fish species. It also encompasses more than 10 glaciers, and Glacier Blanc was to be… Read More »Alpine paddling rest day – Ecrins National Park & Glacier Blanc, 01/08/2017 by Hannah Bellamy

Once we were changed from the paddle of the Chateau-Queyras Gorge, 5 of the team decided to take opportunity to via ferrata back into the gorge to take a close inspection of the u-bend. This meant that the rest had the onerous task of siting in the cafe while they waited for us. We started… Read More »Alpine Apres Paddling – Chateau-Queyras 31/07/2017 by Ian Bell

After the big fast flowing waters of the Durance on Sunday, Monday saw a change of pace as we headed to the shallow, rocky and technical river Guil.  Described in the guide book as “Probably the best class 4 paddle in the Southern Alps” we knew we were in for some fun.  The Guil is… Read More »Alpine Paddling – Middle Guil – 31/07/2017 by Chris Thompson