As it was a ‘rest day’ on Saturday I decided to head out for a little Dyfi Estuary adventure on my Surf Ski. High tide was around 1:30pm at Ynyslas and therefore around 2pm 6 miles further upstream at Glandyfi. Winds were fairly light and mainly southerly and the sun was out. The weather looked set fair for a few hours at least which was quite a contrast to the past few days.<\/p>\n
After a bit of work at home, and then some time cleaning my bike and the cars, I set to fiddling with my surf ski. I\u00a0then headed off to the estuary at midday to set off on an adventure. I had the idea of paddling upstream with the incoming tide to Glandyfi and then turning around and coming back with the outgoing tide later. This plan would be quite an undertaking though as it would be 12 miles or so of paddling. I\u00a0was on my own on a small, unstable surf ski in the big wide estuary. I therefore had fall back plans of just paddling across to Aberdyfi or my usual\u00a0of heading up the River\u00a0Leri.<\/p>\n
I almost plumped for one of these less ambitious options once I\u00a0was on the beach as there was a little more wind than I had hoped, and therefore more chop too. However, as I headed out I saw some friends out rowing and mentioned to them that I might try to get to Glandyfi. Having said it to them, and a couple of other people earlier that morning I kind of had to at least give it a go. I did have my phone with me so if the worst came to the worst I could always phone Anna and get her out on a rescue mission!<\/p>\n
So that was it, I was Glandyfi bound. I was making good progress though. The tide was in my favour, I had the wind and the chop behind me too and the miles started ticking by. This was all a little worrying though as it was just too easy. This meant that once I turned around I’d probably have quite a slog into the wind to contend with.<\/p>\n
It was a lovely winters day though with clouds rolling across the blue sky as I made my way up the Dyfi Estuary. There were birds all around and large flocks of them in some places. I left the people of Ynyslas behind and ventured ever further into the estuary. I almost ran aground across one of the larger sandbanks, but just had enough water to keep going. Everything was perfect with just a single train passing by on the northern side of the estuary breaking the\u00a0sound of the wind and the birds at Ynyshir.<\/p>\n
Eventually the large expanse of the estuary became a little more river like as I rounded the bend and headed towards the tiny hamlet of Glandyfi, with Glandyfi Castle on the hill behind it.<\/p>\n
Once in Glandyfi I stopped on the bank for five minutes to have a drink and an energy bar and to take a photo. I also used the opportunity to stand up for 2 minutes as sitting in the ski for extended periods of time soon becomes uncomfortable.<\/p>\n\n\t\t