Walney Island Circumnavigation 1st and 2nd April by Gary Bunting
Six becomes two! Following on from a last-minute suggestion by Keith, what was originally 6 became 2 of us doing what was an ideal start-of-season circumnavigation of Walney Island with an overnight er on Piel Island.
On Saturday afternoon after packing our boats and a long carry out across the sand, we set out from Earnse Point and paddled down to South End Haws. There was very little swell and a moderate breeze. Then around the Haws point and past the now large seal colony, with some mature pups (the colony is now breading there) just north of the Lighthouse. #
We kept a respectful distance so as not to disturb the colony, which more that can be said for the adult seals who were popping up all around us, and ‘chased’ us as we paddled on towards Piel Island with its castle and new king – an honour bestowed to the landlord of the Ship Inn. After about 3.5 hours we arrived there and set up camp, next to the pub, and after eating repaired to it, on its first day of opening for the summer, for well-earned refreshment.
On Sunday we were up early to break camp, for an 8:30 launch, to catch the tide. Paddling North through Piel and Walney channels passing Barrow docks, and under the Jubilee Bridge, then up through Walney Meeting and to North End Haws. Despite worries about doing this shallow section close to a neap, it was fine due to perfect tidal planning (i.e. getting to this point at high water).
For future reference, it was a 7.67m tide at Ramsden Dock, Barrow. We had about 1m of water over the Walney Meetings (the shallow tidal flats of the north channel). Could it have been done at 7m – probably?
We then paddled on round the north end of Walney and back south to Earnse Point after about 3 hours on the water. Even on the last exposed western section, it was almost flat and calm with almost no breeze. A good end to a good ‘getting back into it’ paddle and camp.
Walney Island Circumnavigation 1st and 2nd April by Gary Bunting
Six becomes two! Following on from a last-minute suggestion by Keith, what was originally 6 became 2 of us doing what was an ideal start-of-season circumnavigation of Walney Island with an overnight er on Piel Island.
On Saturday afternoon after packing our boats and a long carry out across the sand, we set out from Earnse Point and paddled down to South End Haws. There was very little swell and a moderate breeze. Then around the Haws point and past the now large seal colony, with some mature pups (the colony is now breading there) just north of the Lighthouse.
We kept a respectful distance so as not to disturb the colony, which more that can be said for the adult seals who were popping up all around us, and ‘chased’ us as we paddled on towards Piel Island with its castle and new king – an honour bestowed to the landlord of the Ship Inn. After about 3.5 hours we arrived there and set up camp, next to the pub, and after eating repaired to it, on its first day of opening for the summer, for well-earned refreshment.
On Sunday we were up early to break camp, for an 8:30 launch, to catch the tide. Paddling North through Piel and Walney channels passing Barrow docks, and under the Jubilee Bridge, then up through Walney Meeting and to North End Haws. Despite worries about doing this shallow section close to a neap, it was fine due to perfect tidal planning (i.e. getting to this point at high water).
For future reference, it was a 7.67m tide at Ramsden Dock, Barrow. We had about 1m of water over the Walney Meetings (the shallow tidal flats of the north channel). Could it have been done at 7m – probably?
We then paddled on round the north end of Walney and back south to Earnse Point after about 3 hours on the water. Even on the last exposed western section, it was almost flat and calm with almost no breeze. A good end to a good ‘getting back into it’ paddle and camp.
