Sunday was quite windy, steady force 4 with gusts of force 6. We'd be paddling down wind but as the group was one of very mixed ability we took the ferry back.
Wednesday, 7 September 2011
The Gigha Megatrip.
Last year I organized a trip to the Isle of Gigha, it was a really laid back chilled out trip for the five of us that made it. So this year I put another trip in the club calendar. I was somewhat taken aback when at one time over twenty club members wanted to come. In the end seventeen paddlers arrived at the Gigha boathouse campsite in three waves. One friday afternoon, one friday night and some on saturday morning. Once the tents were up we set off for a circumnavagation of Gigha and Cara. 
Sunday was quite windy, steady force 4 with gusts of force 6. We'd be paddling down wind but as the group was one of very mixed ability we took the ferry back.
Sunday was quite windy, steady force 4 with gusts of force 6. We'd be paddling down wind but as the group was one of very mixed ability we took the ferry back.
Friday, 19 August 2011
St Abbs
The combined climbing and kayaking trip on Skye didn't come off, oh well you have to keep something back for next time. The consolation prize was a fantastic paddle around Fast Castle and St Abbs heads.
Saturday, 30 July 2011
Heading North.
I've finally managed to get a week off work. I was planning a two week trip up the far north-east coast in June but just couldn't afford to get away. Now I'm going up to Skye for a few days, after that I may stay on the island or I could head for deepest darkest Knoydart. Either way I hope to mix some sea kayaking with some mountain scrambling. When I first started paddling I had this idea of going rock climbing from a kayak, only ever managed it once that was on Lundy many years ago. Now I'm to fat and artritic for rock climbing (or am get fat and artritic because I don't rock climb anymore?). What ever, I'm really looking forward to a long ridge scramble after a good paddle.
Saturday, 11 June 2011
Sanday.
Sunday 5th June.
Dawned misty and cold, not sure what to expect. (Ray rang home from the phonebox, remember them?) His wife looked at three weather websites they all said widely different things. Decided to paddle around Sanday the smaller neighbour to Canna. As we set off the weather improved. Out in the sound was a dive boat, her skipper gave us a good forcast. We decided to split the party as some wanted to go over to Kilmory Bay on Rum. I've been there a few times but haven't been around Sanday. Four went to Rum whilst three of us stayed on Sanday, Nick had already taken himself off for a walk. The South side of Sanday is fantastic, load of caves skerries and at the western end a blow hole. Crofty tried to film me paddling into the spray. The tide was out, so the channel under the birdge that connects Sanday to Canna was dry. We left the kayaks on a beach and went for a walk.
RHIB for sale, one careless owner.
Pirate ship.
Dawned misty and cold, not sure what to expect. (Ray rang home from the phonebox, remember them?) His wife looked at three weather websites they all said widely different things. Decided to paddle around Sanday the smaller neighbour to Canna. As we set off the weather improved. Out in the sound was a dive boat, her skipper gave us a good forcast. We decided to split the party as some wanted to go over to Kilmory Bay on Rum. I've been there a few times but haven't been around Sanday. Four went to Rum whilst three of us stayed on Sanday, Nick had already taken himself off for a walk. The South side of Sanday is fantastic, load of caves skerries and at the western end a blow hole. Crofty tried to film me paddling into the spray. The tide was out, so the channel under the birdge that connects Sanday to Canna was dry. We left the kayaks on a beach and went for a walk.
RHIB for sale, one careless owner.
Pirate ship.
Thursday, 9 June 2011
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.
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.Wednesday, 8 June 2011
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.
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.
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