Once the girls had arrived we wasted no time we  got kitted out with all our kayaking safety equipment and jumped in the cars for the short trip down to Durgan. (our usual launch and recover location)

I was eager to waste no time in getting the Kayaks off the car and down to the waters edge. I did a safety equipment check and I ran though the safety brief on what to do and not to do and also what to expect. We then got on our kayak’s and went for a paddle. We headed out of Durgan and east towards the mouth of the Helford river. Our destination was out Past Toll point and towards Prisk cove by Rosemullion head.

The scenery is completely different from the lush green river banks of the upper Helford river, but it is just as beautiful, with a rugged rocky coastline with lots of little caves and gullies, harbouring all sorts of different wildlife on one side And on the other side a the vast expanse of  the open ocean. I find it truly amazing and never get bored of paddling in this beautiful area.

After about an hour and a half paddle we had a brief refreshment stop at Prick Cove and headed back to Durgan where i loaded up the car and we all headed back to Carwinion house.

While I went to put away the kayaking kit the girls sat on the garden terrace and had a cream tea (the best in Cornwall may I add). Once they had finished the tea we grabbed the archery equipment and headed down to my outdoor archery range.

We ran though the really important safety brief and rules and I started to teach the girls the art of bare bow target archery. after a few practice shoots and a bit of coaching the girls shooting was going well and was fairly consistent, so I then added a bit of competition into the lesson with a bit of balloon popping. This game really gets you to concentrate on your aiming, which in turn was getting their shooting accurate.

We ended the lesson with everyone being able to hit the GOLD…. and feeling positive. Archery is a great sport and is addictive, and it always adds a competitive element to a great day out.

It amazes me every time; When we drive around the final bend that leads down to the little village of Durgan, how beautiful the Helford River is, even on days when the Cornish missle is set in.

We unloaded in half the time it took me to load all equipment onto the car, and got kitted out for our paddle. On the water we headed north and noticed how  the river was so quite and peaceful with hardly any other activity happening.

We passed the Helford Passage and the Helford Village and with the destination of the amazing Frenchman’s creek, I slowly picked up the pace and we made great time. On arrival at  Frenchman’s Creek we all were amazed as the wind died off and the missel cleared which allowed the Creek to really show us its beauty and didn’t disappoint at all.

We paddled and drifted taking in the sights and sounds until we got to a grass Plato where we beached our kayaks and gave our legs a stretch. We stood on the Plato supping on a cup of hot chocolate and nibbling on some almond slices, whilst watching the grey mullet swimming lazily around the creek.

After feeling refreshed from the hot chocolate and cake, we jumped back in our kayaks and headed out of Frenchman’s creek and over towards Port Navis and down passed the Helford passage and back to the village of Durgan.

The Helford River is truly a unique place, no matter what the conditions or weather it still manages to show you its beauty. And still always manages to keep me excited about jumping in my Kayak to take people who have never seen what I have seen on a kayaking tour that i know will leave them feeling great and with a big smile.

Our Tour started at the beautiful village of Durgan.

As we got ready to enter the water, the sun decided to show it’s face and warmed us all and gave us the energy to start paddling west up the river towards Gweek. We past the helford Passage and crossed over toward the quiet Helford village. we continued up the river taking in the sights of this trully beautiful area.

We stopped briefly just past the creek of Port Navis and had some light refreshments on a river side beach. At this beach we were able to see some of the acrobatics of a few different planes performing for the annual Culdrose Air Day.

After feeling a little refreshed we headed for the Famous Frenchman’s creek where we floated a little bit taking in its tranquility and peacefulness, before heading back down the river past the Helford Passage and the gardens of Trebah to are starting point the village of Durgan.

It was a great afternoon paddle on the Helford River with Rachel, Sarah and Christof . Thanks guys hope to see you soon

We kicked off the weekends activities @ 4pm with a afternoon of Coasteering from Meanporth. With wall to wall sunshine and the temperature nice and hot, we had a quick change into wetsuits and safety kit looking forward to the first feel of the sea.

We set off on the quick walk along the cliff path to the spot where we make our way down to the sea. After a quick briefing we set off to explore, jump, swim and scramble around some of Falmouths best seascapes. We swam and explored up gullies, and jumped of some great ledges into the beautiful clear blue water.

We also had the opportunity to swim over the Ben Asdale; a ship wreck off of Meanporth.

Saturday 26th June – Day 2

Another absolutely stunning day and with a day’s kayaking on the Helford river planned we all couldn’t wait to get going. With perfect weather condition, wall to wall sunshine and clear blue water we set off on our tour heading up past the Helford Passage and up to Port Navis Creek where we explored a little way up and started to head back out towards Frenchman’s Creek where I had a BBQ planned on its peaceful shore. On arrival at Frenchman’s the tide was still a fair way out but we still managed to paddle up a tiny winding natural channel which was great fun and a challenge.

We set up BBQ on a quite grass Plateaux and enjoyed good food in one of the Falmouths best settings.

Sunday 27th – Day 3

Yet again another perfect day with temperatures expected to reach 30 degrees C.
The last activity for the group was archery.

Our outdoor range is based at Carwinion Gardens in Mawnan Smith. We took the short walk down though the nursery to the Archery range where I took the group though an archery lesson, followed by some archery games and challenges.

A excellent weekend was had by all and the Aberfal Outdoor Pursuits Team would like to thanks Matt, Kate, Sav, Esther, Martin and how can we forget John. Thanks guys hope to see you again soon.

We set off up the river taking in the sights and sounds and eventually reached my favorite creek ‘Frenchman’s', and it really didn’t disappoint as it was extremely quiet and peaceful. Before the paddle back to Durgan we stopped off at Frenchman’s Creek for a mug of hot chocolate and a chat. (very civilized)