* New Years's Resolutions *

Sunday paddles from Laxey, very sheltered relaxed trips, allowing for finer points of coaching forward paddling and time to take a few pics...

Plenty of young seals about, following and swimming under the kayaks, a joy to watch.


Landing for a break at Groudle (one of our favourite coasteering locations) we climbed up to the remnants of the old walkway for Christmas cake and coffee. The remains of walkways on this Coastline, are still in evidence in the popular bathing areas on the island's East coast. (Some 'walkable' sections can be noted at Port Soderick, but due to deterioration and attrition by the sea, its not safe to do so and public access is not permitted...). They date from the Victorian era, of summer's spent in British beach resorts, and the Island was reputedly the first to introduce 'bathing huts' to ensure 'decency' was maintained when changing, as well when in swimming attire, participants would not have to walk on the beach!

The Afternoon beginners trip was even calmer, and next weekend's forecast is to be warm again, looking forward to seeing you again!

Its the time of New Year's resolutions, and to learn to to sea kayak seems to on a few peoples list...

One of Laxey's best known landmarks, (and one of our Island's 'claim to fame') is its huge water wheel, named the Lady Isabella, was built to pump water from the mines. It still remains the world's largest working water wheel. Laxey, and the adjacent mines following the valley up towards Snaefell, has the deepest and most extensive mines on the island, employing 600 odd people in its heyday and producing lead, copper, silver and zinc. A section of the mines are open in the summer, and tours are often guided by my Great Uncle.

Yesterday we headed for the Chasms, a much used location for rock climbers, where a large rockfall (on a face of the East section, 'Gardeners Wall') had dropped the day before. A detachment of the local cliff rescue tem were analysing the situation, and declared no added risk to the surrounding crags. Good good, and as the rock was a little damp and just to be sure, we tied in a top rope and warmed up on Tower Buttress. The first pump came fairly quickly, (definitely not enough time on the rock recently) and this was theme throughout the session.
Torque Test Wall (foreground) with Tower Buttress behind (top right) taken previously


Having exausted all lines of ascent, (HVS to E2) and therefore ourselves, we moved to Torque Test Wall, where a delightful HVS 'Torque Test' provided practice on lay backs and keeping moving...

Lastly a pic from today's paddle and the alternative New Year's Day 'Dip'.