Circumnavigation.

Saturday 4th June.
A cold north wind got up during the evening, overnight it shock the tent hard. Would we be able to paddle? Ray was due on the morning ferry, it got in at 10.00. Half an hour later we were on our way. We went clockwise, doing the sheltered south coast first, very quickly we were poking our noses into caves and dodging around every rock in sight. By the skerry of An Steidh at the western end of the island we regrouped. This marked the start of the very prominant underwater reef. What would the north coast be like? Would it be too rough? What was the wind doing? We'd go as far as Garrisdale Point and see. We shot a gap between the main island and a skerry and out onto the north coast. It was ok.

At the rased beach of Conagearaidh we took a short break before hitting the main high cliffs. Lots of clapotis. It was hard to look for long at the sea birds as the sea was so lively. By the stack of Lorcail a White Tailed Sea Eagle was locked in deadly combat with a Peregrine Falcon. At first the smaller more agile falcon had the upper hand. Then the eagle did a barrel roll and faced the peregrine eye ball to eye ball, beak slassing. I nearly capsized I was craning my neck so much. Who won? No idea, they were still at it the next day.

Return to Canna.

Friday 3rd June 2011,
How can 150 miles take over four hours? I thought I'd left home with plenty of time, but it was 12.15 as I skidded into Mallaig. A tour bus blocked my way into the calmac ferry terminal. I shot into the seamans mission loading bay. Like a man possessed I stuffed dry bags into my kayak, my mobile rang, it's Anne, "where are you, I can't see you".
The others show up and take Anne's kayak away. I heave mine up onto my trolly, the tyre blows, I swear.
"We'll take it, you park your car."
I shoot off. The long stay car park is chock-a-block. I'm driving around like a maniac. I find a space at the other end of the bay, just about as far from the ferry as I can get. I'm running, jesus I'm unfit. I burst into the ticket office, just what they made of this short, fat, boldy guy, sweating and wheezing I can't inagine.
"Canna please coming back on Monday."
"£21.05 please, I'll radio ahead and tell them your coming."
12.40 I run down the ramp as it closes behind me.

Two and a half hours later our ferry - the MV Lochnevis arrives on Canna. The seven of us, now a little more compossed, disembark. Three trolly and four paddle around to the village campsite.

Some go for a paddle, some for a walk, we all end up at the Gille Brighde for some local beer.

Blown out.

I'd advertised the club trip to Loch Sunart as an introduction to kayak camping for beginners. In the end the weather had other ideas. Saturday it was blowing a force six with heavy rain. Three of the guys did try to get out but not for long. The rest of us went for a coffee followed by a walk.

Sunday started off better and we did manage a few miles up the loch, it was even sunny for a bit.

Christine enjoying the sun.

Mark wasn't to sure about his stablity to start with, but managed fine.

Loch Sunart.

Around eleven a big black squally cloud covered the sky and the wind returned. To get back to the campsite we had to head into the wind at 45 degrees, a really awkward angle. Things got a bit fraught trying to keep everyone together, a couple of paddler were going very slowly while another was shooting off in front. In the end everyone made it back safely if a little wind blown. Not quite the gentle introduction I'd hope for. Just as well everyone did very well.

New Photo.

I've just changed the Photo at the top of my blog, just felt like a change. It was taken on the south side of Canna last year by my mate Brian Woodward. It shows me looking at a Basking Shark.

Arisaig.

The club had a meet at Arisaig last weekend, 13 paddlers enjoyed the event. Saturday was around the Arisaig skerries with a quick visit to Rubh Arisaig. So that Fiona could experience clapotis. She handled it really well, especially as this was only her second time paddling on the sea. Afterwards we went to the village of Arisaig for an icecream, only it was shut.
On sunday we drove around to Loch Ailort and paddled up to Peanmeanach Bothy, the photo's are from this paddle.

Guinea Pigging.

Friday afternoon I drove up to a very windy Isle of Skye, almost thought I'd loose the roof rack and kayak going over the bridge. I was acting as a guinea pig for a four star assessment being run by Gordon Brown and Oisin Hallissey. We went paddling out of Armadale both days, saturday was group management and sunday was wet stuff plus a little playing in the rough stuff near to the rocks.

Oisin Hallissey.

I think he past.

Slowly but surely the sun returns, days are getting longer, the weather getting warmer, people are coming out of hibernatation and starting paddling again. Last sunday we had a really nice paddle from Dunbar to Skateraw Harbour and back followed by exploring the old harbour at Dunbar. There was quite a swell out on the coast one really big one very nearly got me. Had to make a quick left turn and sprinted over it just as it broke. Dunbar Harbour.

Paddling into the harbour, it was quite hard to find the way in you almost had to go passed it and approach from the landward side.

Millport beach.

The weekend before a large group from FSKC visited the Cumbrae Isles in the Firth a Clyde. The weather didn't too good as we arrived but soon cleared. We did have a small squall as we crossed to Little Cumbrae so we didn't do that one this time.

Things are beginning to pick up now the days are getting longer. I've been out on my bike for the first time in ages and I've also been doing some hill walking. Next week the mid week evening paddling starts again.