13 faces, some old and some new met up at St Aidan’s Dunes, just south of Bamburgh. Much car-sharing had been arranged and there was plenty of room in the large and highly convenient lay-by. Once kayaks and gear had negotiated not one, but two kissing gates we gathered on the enormous sands to listen to David (setting the tone for the day, and much, much more of which later.)
The trip had been pushed back to Sunday due to the weekend forecast and this proved to be wholly justified. Plenty of sunshine, virtually no wind and surf. Plenty of surf. Choosing a non-rock-encumbered section of the beach where the surf was…… dumping less freely……the group launched and various items were subsequently recovered, in the main. Regrouped, we aimed off from Inner Farne to allow for the falling tide which was heading northwards. Sizeable swell from the south was immediately encountered (aha – surf) and this was to be our companion for the entire day, giving rise to some more interesting conditions e.g. where the rest of your group disappears from view (hopefully temporarily.) White water plumes were easily visible where the swell was caressing the cliffs and coasts of the Farnes and the noise increased as we closed in on the islands. Skirting the southern coast of the inner group, conditions and competence were deemed sufficient to take on Staple Sound where we would experience more tidal movement as we bounced past Gun Rock and round in to Brownsman Haven. Here we had our first close encounter with one of the many tourist boats seal-spotting around the national nature reserve. The group cut through the gap at Roddam and Green and gave both the Harcars a very respectable distance, given the swell pounding them. In Craford’s Gut with more tourist boats and plentiful seals, a peregrine falcon stood out on Longstone, where we pulled in to the peaceful low-tide lagoon at the lighthouse for lunch. In addition to his highly knowledgeable running commentary throughout on the races, rocks and reefs around and in front of us, David delivered the required history lesson on Grace Darling and the wreck of the Forfarshire.
After chat with a sailing dinghy in the lagoon, we headed round the eastern side of Longstone, meeting more swell and a turned tide (even more interesting) while a small splinter group headed over to the outlier of Knivestone. The remainder of the party headed back towards Staple Island, still giving the southern edges a wide berth and recrossed Staple Sound as the adventurous ones rejoined us. Back at Inner Farne we entered the calm of The Kettle via Wideopen Gut (yes, really) and having rounded the north end of the island made our way back to the beach, where the surf was waiting. Both launching and landing are group activities so an individual probe (Nick Evens) was promptly directed towards the beach which he reached without mishap to the relief – or possible disappointment – of others. Subsequently, expertly guided by Nick, everyone made it back to the beach successfully and though some caught a wave or two on the way, there were “No wrecks and nobody drownded/In fact nothing to laugh at at all.”
An absolutely excellent day out, especially for those members for whom it was a first visit. Tight, solid group paddling in interesting conditions – considerable swell, variable tidal movement, dynamic navigation – all in splendid weather. Huge thanks are due to David Simpson for organising, leading and narrating the entire trip.