![\"Campsite\"](\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.alananna.co.uk\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/05\/Campsite.jpg?ssl=1\")
<\/a><\/figure><\/div><\/a><\/figure><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\nI pulled into a pitch with an electric hook up and that was me set up! You’ve got to love a camper van. I did uncoil and extension lead and plug in into the electric hook up but that was it. Meanwhile a few others were setting up tents and preparing their camp so I had a chat and was introduced to a few people I hadn’t met before.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The campsite was surrounded by trees and very green. The showers and indoor toilet were quite a way from where we were but there were a couple of portaloos just across a little stream. At the far end of the field was a shallow stream that led under the Cresswell Bridge and into the Cresswell River. It was the perfect spot.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Dinner was booked in the nearby Carew Inn so once others had arrived we all headed off to the pub. In total, there were 11 of us on the trip. This included Bob (who wasn’t arriving until later) and the 10 of us in the pub: Judith, Ro, Jason, Callum, Steve, Elliot, Jo, Jill, Richard and myself. Dinner was good and the staff at the pub were amazing. We didn’t hang around too long afterwards though as we all headed back to the campsite for a relatively early night.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Shuffling Logistics<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Despite the fact that the little stream at the bottom of the campsite was very shallow, the plan was to launch from there and end up at Pembroke Dock. So, after breakfast there was a shuttle to organise so that we could get all of us and all of the boats back at the end of the day. Several of us therefore drove to the intended exit point, left our vans and cars there and then headed back in another car to the campsite.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Aber-Pfaffers<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
We then got kitted up and pfaffed about for a bit. That allowed us to head over to the stream where full pfaff-mode was activated. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
<\/a>With the pfaffing out of the way we ran through the plan for the day, pfaffed a little more and then got on the water. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
I should point out the variety of craft on display. Half of the people were in open canoes, these are a little slower, more sedate and allow the paddlers to take in a little more of the scenery. They also allow them to carry everything including the kitchen sink and therefore provide the most opportunity for pfaffing. So the canoeist were top of the class in this respect. Everyone else (other than me) was in a sea kayak. These too have plenty of storage options and places to stow kit, they are a little faster and more versatile than the canoes. They are perfectly suited for the kind of conditions we would encounter. They were the perfect balance between speed, comfort and convenience and still allowed plenty of pfaffing. I however was on a wholly inappropriate surf ski. It’s fragile, it has a fixed rudder so needs a certain depth of water, it’s very unstable, it has limited storage options and no opportunities for pfaffing. It is fast, but that was absolutely no use here.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
So, as far as being a member of the Aber-Pfaffers is concerned, those in the open canoes were at the top of the pile, the sea kayakers were gold standard and I was a mere beginner.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Off for a Paddle to Pembroke Dock<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
We set off under the bridge and after travelling about 20 yards the river shallowed to a few inches so I jumped out and carried my ski over the shallow section! It was thankfully only a short portage and after that the river did deepen and I was actually OK even with my fixed rudder.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
<\/a><\/figure><\/div><\/a><\/figure><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\nWe headed onto the Cresswell River, passed Cresswell Quay and headed downstream. It was all at a very sedate pace and I soon realised that I needed a little change of mindset. All the paddling I’ve done has been performance orientated so as to prepare for races and competition. This wasn’t anything like that, it was all about exploration and recreation. There’s nothing wrong with that, it’s just different to what I’ve done. It was about effort, it was all about relaxing. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
<\/a>We found some interesting channels that lead to old limestone quarries so we pootled our way into them and explored their extremities.We met up with the canoeists here again. We then continued down the Cresswell as the tide turned and started to ebb. We passed Lawrenny Quay and the boats moored alongside and then headed across the Cleddau River and hauled our boats out onto the banks where we stopped for lunch.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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