A great little winter trip providing there's not too much swell running. This stretch of coastline is very exposed so beware of any larger swells ranging from the SE through to the North. As soon as you leave the shelter of Boulmer Haven you will find lots of shallow reefs running out to sea. The first of these is the Red Ends just to the North of Boulmer Steel. Take a wide berth on this point and you will soon be heading back inshore towards the lovely clean surf beaches of Howdiemont and Sugar Sands.
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| The view from the launch site in Boulmer Haven looking South towards Coquet Island |
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| Paddling in the shelter of Boulmer Haven. The North Riens offering shelter to the moored boats. |
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| One of the traditional Cobbles that work these waters. |
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| Dunstonburgh Castle in the background as we approach Craster Harbour. |
Continuing Northwards you will round the headland at Rumbling Kern. Cullernose point will soon come into view, this promontory gives access to deep water close to the shore so expect to see a few anglers lines in the water as you pass by here. Depending on the state of tide you should now be looking to tuck inside Great Car and look for Craster harbour entrance. It will be difficult here not to be drawn further North by the splendour of Dunstonburgh Castle. The ruins of the castle adorn the skyline and have made the perfect backdrop for many local kayaking photographs.
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| The small gravel beach in the back of Craster Harbour. |
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| Looking North over Craster Harbour, our boats hauled out on the kelp. |
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| Refreshment time, The Jolly Fisherman in Craster. |
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| If your lucky enough to arrive when the smokery is open you can fill your hatches with locally smoked Norwegian Herring. |
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| A Rock Pippit looking for a meal amongst the weed. |
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| Turnstones feeding on the high water mark at the back of the harbour. |
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| Oyster catchers forced onto higher ground as the spring tide reaches it's peak. |
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| Looking back towards Dunstonburgh Castle, the swell breaking over the Great Carr. |
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| Alan and George taking a shortcut out of the old swimming pool under Earl Grey's bathing house |
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| George enjoying the ride in his new Rockpool GT. |
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| Playing in the surf on Longhoughton Steel |
The perfect end to a day on the sea. A pint in the Fishing Boat Inn in front of a roaring fire.
What a great record of a lovely day on the sea - at this rate Neil I might have to employ you to do my marketing.
ReplyDeleteIt's a lovely trip for a short winters day. We really are spoiled for choice here in Northumberland. Not another paddler in sight yesterday, we had the whole place to ourselves. You don't want to market the area to well Ollie, it might get busy :)
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