Friday 13th Lucky for some!

On the water for 6am after our best pack up. Super light and a moody sky saw us on our way and enjoying the flow on Rubh a Chaoil + then Caliach Point. The wind was NE which did us a favour, in reducing wind across tide.
We pushed on into a light F2/3 and headed for our breakfast or brunch stop at the beautiful Port Langamull Only accessible by foot or water.



Breakfast beach.



We pushed on refuelled + moving out into the flow. Bay after bay passed, with the Small Isles appearing + then disappearing.

Excitement just after "Bloody Bay" came in what must have been a strong back eddy stream, that was flowing 1-1.5kn against us, likely produced by the North Channel on the flood pulling out SE channel ... maybe!

Turn South down the Sound of Mull

Tobermory.

We arrived to a smile from Sonja, welcoming us to Tobermory after a total of 13 days from Strontian, 11 days paddling round Mull, with 4 days off the water. Showers at the visitor centre, fish & chips in the harbour and a celebratory drink in the bar.

Congratulations both to Shamim and Zoe for their achievment and for making work. Big thanks to Diane Lee for her forecasts and updates and to Sonja for getting the van and her support.

Sat rest and sort day, must be a coffee in there somewhere? Catch the Oban ferry at 5pm and find a campsite!

Diane Lee

http://www.coastalspirit.com/

Sea Kayaking Courses and Expeditions

Rapid Development Programmes

Rest & Moving On (Thursday)

After arriving back after 9pm a relaxed + many brews to the start of the day was welcomed. Kit packing + re sorting, as we only have two wild camps now left.

We went the 3 hour scenic route back to Ulva, packed sea kayaks and paddled across the short sound. Sonja got the passenger ferry across to join us for some lunch then we paddled another 2k or so to a camp spot on Mull, so Sonja could walk in.

Its been a cold but bright and beautiful day with a strong F4 northly wind, but its been well used by us in prep for the final 42k, which we intend to spread out over the two days.

Diane Lee

http://www.coastalspirit.com/

Sea Kayaking Expeditions

Rapid Development Programmes

Dinners on me! (Roger)

After a night of rain and squally winds it all seemed to fit the forecast of F4 and then F4/5 by the afternoon. Our plan was to leave camp set up +paddle in the chop +swell of Iona sound.

After some core rotation work using cross deck bow rudders, we crossed the sound using transits, which allowed both Shamim + Zoe to experiment. Now this is the really great bit, Di sent me a forecast up date which was F3/4 until 4pm and then increasing, BIG thanks for this .... I put the thought of crossing to Staffa and then on to Ulfa. Other than the fact that we only had a few items of food, it was on!
As we approach Staffa, Shamim saw her first Puffin and both were close to completing their first open crossing. There was a good swell running so we stayed out from the cliffs. The wind although on the bow had been more F2/3 and it had been a good journey. Crossing to Little Colonsay meant we were across the wind, which provided a super learning opportunity on the gentle use of skeg and working with the 5k.

Landing for some lunch was a shared affair and now the crucial element was getting text to Sonja to pick us up! We paddled on to Ulva, just in time to a cool bear + can of pop, before paddling across the sound to unpack and prep kit to load into the van. Sonja arrived + it had taken her 3 hours ..dinners on me then :)

Diane Lee

www.coastalspirit.com

Sea Kayaking expeditions

Rapid Development Programmes

All in 1 day

Squally showers, but looking good.

All up at 0530 saw sonja walking out to get the bus, to cross Mull, catch a ferry + get a taxi ..the only problem was that at Loch Aline there was no taxi! Sonja had been talking with the bus driver and the ferry staff + Steve a fisherman, came to the rescue. By 1100 Sonja was back on the island :)
Meanwhile the offshore F2/3 had been gently building and the swell from the last 2 days provided exciting conditions at times, with confused seas (pictures are taken on my blackberry, so tending to be calmer).

Just over 3 hours saw us into probably the best public campsite in the world! Stunning emerald seas, golden sands, flat golf course grass and showers, at long last, oh and real toilets and all for £6!Tents up, shower and cleaned, Sonja soon arrived and we drove off to collect her kayak from the previous site, pleased in how smoothly it all came together.

With tomorrow's forecast of F4 gusting F5, we're going for a light boat day, working skills in The Sound and the bay, and then hopefully the next step is to Stafa and then on to Ulva, weather permitting!


Diane Lee

www.coastalspirit.com

Sea Kayaking Rapid development programmes.

Sea Kayaking Expeditions

Pushing on Wind Permitting...

I've been sending regular forecast, to the team and watching wind... wishing I was sending better news... Here's what they are up to...

With forecast for the day of F4 and windier to begin with, we choose to rest and look at the various options available to us. In short Sonja is getting up with us at 0530 and walking 5k into Bunessan, catching the 0730 bus to Craignure and then on Fishnish Bay to catch the ferry to Lochaline and then all being well get a taxi for the remaining 30k back to Strontian. The distance is about 130km. Meanwhile were going to push on into the NW and aim to get to Fionnphort , just opposite Iona. Hopefully we'll meet Sonja at the end of the day. ( Good Luck Sonja!) Uskin with low winds (Now!)
Packing boats ready for an early start!

The following day (Wednesday) is currently looking calmer ... more of that tomorrow!

Diane Lee

www.coastalspirit.com
Sea Kayaking North Wales
Expedition Support and Rapid Development Programmes

Food, Glorious Food!

Despite waking at 05.30, I soon fell back to sleep, relishing in the reality of a ly-in. Around 09.00 we were up, Sonja was soon making pancakes and Zoe produced a cream egg for each of us. What a super start to a rest day!

The plan was to walk the 5k into the village and hope the local shop was open and also the hotel, to have some food and charge my phone.

We were in luck as there was a run being organised, so the village was a hive of activity and an amazingly well stocked, although little shop. Even a hot water bottle was bought!! The hotel was also open and between us 2 pork, cider and sweat potato pies with chips + veg, chicken, ham + leek pie with chips, and a crab claw salad. From what must have been the biggest crab, ever! Phone charged and some tidal planning and looking at the distance and options available to us.

We got back to dry wind blown kit, another bonus. Tomorrow is also due to be very windy, so another rest day and then all being well Tuesday's forecast of F3/4 will come good and allow us to begin the West coast, passing through the Sound of Iona and then north on to Staffa, before camping on Ulva.


Diane Lee

http://www.coastalspirit.com/

Sea Kayaking Expeditions

Rapid Development Programmes

Stunning Coastline

6.00 am Morning so far so good!

Up early and the wind was looking good, F2/3 and the morning light and clouds were fantastic.

We were soon at the point and starting the crossing of Loch Buie. We took a break on the land at a well placed bay, to prepare for the longer and remote section of coast. This section was truly stunning. It wasn't long before we saw 2 golden eagles, enjoying the winds, soaring above us.

We experienced a couple of stronger gusts of wind, at Malcoms Point, which reminded us that the wind was due 2 increase to F3/4. A couple of hours later we felt the stronger down draughts, but we just distracted by the cliffs, rock formations, water falls and sheer beauty of the place. We had decided to aim for a camp close to a road at Uisken, due to the next 2 days forecast being a windy F5/6, so at least allowing for a break and an opportunity to walk/hitch to re-stock food and enjoy a visit to a bar!

Well its currently a solid F4 with occasional gusts of F5 and low cloud, but a good 30k day and Zoe surprised us each with a welcomed can of gin and tonic... Life is good!