Author: CBMWC Sarah

Cardigan Bay News

WhaleFest 2011

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CBMWC is going to be at Whalefest on the 5th & 6th of November.
Come to WhaleFest this autumn – and be part of something big!

The first and largest event of its kind in Europe, WhaleFest – a celebration of the public’s passion for whales and dolphins – will open for the weekend of 5th and 6th November 2011 in Brighton, UK.

The festival, which launches with a star-studded VIP evening on Friday 4th November, will be opened to the public the following morning at the Hove Centre, where the Mayor of Brighton and Hove will be amongst the attendees.

Each day, visitors will dive in to a packed programme of unique events. Only here can you go eye to eye with a life-sized Blue Whale, step inside a whale’s stomach, take a ‘virtual’ dolphin watching trip, and be inspired by the world’s whale and dolphin experts and wildlife celebrities.

WhaleFest is organised by Planet Whale, the world’s largest online search engine for whale and dolphin watching trips. WhaleFest represents Planet Whale’s vision; to provide whale and dolphin conservation organisations and sustainable whale watching businesses with a free platform to promote their work to the widest possible audience.
How to book

For further information on WhaleFest go to: Planetwhale or telephone 01273 355011.

*Hurry! Early Bird Weekend & Evening Bargain Hunters tickets expire on 1st September.

What’s happening?

1. Up to 50 stalls for whale & dolphin tours, conservation orgs, and merchandise
2. Interactive presentations by the UK’s leading experts and wildlife celebrities
3. Virtual whale watch – take a sustainable whale watching trip in real time!
4. Meet our life-sized Blue Whale and friends!
5. Beached whale rescue sessions with our team of marine mammal medics
6. Quizzes, debates, talks and Q&A’s in the Talk Talk Chamber
7. Inspirational short films and videos
8. Blubber Belly – slide into the weird world of a whale’s stomach!
9. Free mini workshops to brush up on your skills!
10. Free advice on whale watching for visitors
11. Speakers Corner – have your say on a treasured whale encounter!
12. Charity AGM’s and welcome events
13. By the sea – head to the beach with our wildlife spotters!
14. Expected 10,000 visitors throughout the show
15. Fun for all the family!

Learn to refloat a stranded inflatable whale
Kayak Challenge

Around Wales Kayak Challange

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The 2011 autumn weather prevails again…

Unfortunately the final legs of the Around Wales Kayak challenge 2011 have had to be postponed. Due to the weather delaying the start of the trip, the weather conditions throughout the trip and time constraints, the kayak challenge has had to be postponed. But the good news is that the kayakers are set for a re-attempt next April.

You can still make a donation securely online now via Paypal, using your Paypal account or a credit/debit card.

 Thank you for your support 🙂

A short video was put together by Neil Buckland so you can see just some of the challenges they faced! To watch the video, click here

Below is one of the final updates and some photographs from the kayakers and their challenge that ended early in September 2011.

“Due to bad weather on the 6th September we decided to head to chester to make a start on the canals and hoped the weather would be fairer to us later.

We got off to a great start, paddling around 16 to 27 miles per day depending on the number of locks we had to get through..which took 10-15minutes to navigate ..as long as there were helpful narrow boaters around to let us through with them…later we decided to buy a lock lever and negotiate the locks ourselves. This saved us time and a number of frowning faces! The most we negotiated in one day were 25!…we were fortunate to meet many lovely people along the way. A day off for bad weather at Sever Stoke and on the 5th day we hit the Severn estuary and made our way down to Sharpness. Sadly Maurice (one of our team) had left us at this stage.

Sharpness to Clevedon was done on a spring tide and was a little hairy in places but amazing to go flying under both Severn Bridges!

Landing at Clevedon after a very long day was a  bit of a nightmare..mudsville. Luckily the local canoe club let us sleep in the store room!

Next day was the planned open crossing from Clevedon to Wales passing Cardiff, Penarth, Barry and onto Llantwit Major – clocking up another 36 miles!

Due to more bad weather we had to land next to a power station just short of Llantwit Major..not the best of places…and there we stayed for 3 days waiting for another storm to pass… yes we had been hit by the tail end of 3 hurricanes!! Last night the horses in the field trampled the tents…so I’m (Neil) trying to replace mine! Looks like we might have a weather window and be able to leave on Monday evening or Tuesday..just in time for the next weather front to arrive! What a rubbish September (weather wise!).”

Cardigan Bay News, Kayak Challenge

Latest Kayak update

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For the latest update listen to the podcast below.

Leaving Chester they will make their way south, using a variety of rivers and canals before reaching the Severn estuary and heading once more to the open sea. More tricky waters await along the south coast before hitting the tidal streams around Pembrokeshire to Newport and the final leg of the journey, up the west coast of Wales and the wild waters around Anglesey before heading back to Chester and a well earned drink. No comfy hotels or B&B’s on this trip…just a kayaks and tents…so please donate generously!

You can donate securely online now via Paypal, using your Paypal account or a credit/debit card.

 

Many thanks to our sponsors: howies, Sigma Displays, Perception Kayaks, Caws Cenarth Cheese, action-station and TYF

Cardigan Bay News, Kayak Challenge

Kayak update 9th September

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9th September 2011 – Day three saw the kayakers heading from Norbury Junction to Awbridge Lock.

Kayak Challenge Day three

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

8th September 2011 – Day two and the kayakers headed from Audlem to Norbury Junction and loads of locks!

7th September 2011 – Day one and the kayakers have reached Audlem in Cheshire. Having started off in Chester this morning they are making great progress.

Follow the adventure right here through the podcast below and by live twitter feeds, facebook and blogs…

Leaving Chester they will make their way south, using a variety of rivers and canals before reaching the Severn estuary and heading once more to the open sea. More tricky waters await along the south coast before hitting the tidal streams around Pembrokeshire to Newport and the final leg of the journey, up the west coast of Wales and the wild waters around Anglesey before heading back to Chester and a well earned drink. No comfy hotels or B&B’s on this trip…just a kayaks and tents…so please donate generously!

You can donate securely online now via Paypal, using your Paypal account or a credit/debit card.

 

Many thanks to our sponsors: howies, Sigma Displays, Perception Kayaks, Caws Cenarth Cheese, action-station and TYF