On Sunday I combined a bit of a fitness paddle with one of my favourite locations. I took the slender Rapier for it’s second outing to Bardsey island. Setting off from Morfa Nefyn at a good pace on a flat blue sea, I vaguely noticed a wave gently breaking to one side of me — until something made me look closer. I noticed a gigantic fin protrude from the water – followed by another one, and then a third. It was a pod of at least 5 risso’s dolphins – the first ones I’ve seen. They came quite close and took a good look at me. Very cool indeed.

The wind and tide helped me to Bardsey in just over 2 and a half  hours, and it wasn’t very rough in the sound so that was a bonus. Once there, I enjoyed catching up with the Porter family & met the latest addition to the island – Piggy!

A northerly wind had picked up during my few hours on the island so the way back was more of a slog, taking 3 and a half hours. It was also bumpier – with wind against tide. I arrived back at the beach about 7.30pm feeling pretty tired, but content! Here are the stats.