The PaddlerUK magazine December 2015 issue 5 | Page 46

PADDLERUK 46

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Justine Curgenven

Bardsey Island,Wales
Wales,
United Kingdom

“The Queen Charlotte Islands has its blended culture and natural beauty, New
Zealand challenged me with her ring of surf and the Aleutian islands dazzled
me with her wild remoteness, rich wildlife, unknown currents and stark beauty.

“I love travelling the world and paddling in
unknown, untouched places. I’m always wanting
to know what’s around the next headland. But
there’s beauty and magic all over. When I’m
home in north Wales, I always know I’ll have a
special day if I head to the charming island of
Bardsey at the tip of the Llyn Peninsula.

“Bardsey is only a few miles in surface area and
just a couple of miles from mainland Wales but
there’s magic crammed onto that little island. A
stripy lighthouse adorns one end and a bulbous
hill stands proud opposite it.Over a 100 seals,
36,000 nesting shearwaters, choughs, guillemots,
puffins and many other birds make it their home.

“The Welsh name, Ynys Enlli, means ‘Island in the
currents’ as currents of up to 6 knots swirl
around the island, apart from a brief slack
period. In wind and swell, a turbulent wave train
blocks the way to the pretty island. Despite this
– or perhaps because of this – Bardsey used to
be a destination for [ܚ[\ˈ