What a couple of weeks of contrasting weather, with f2/3, dry and minus temperatures at night and then f 5-10 with torrential rain! Apparently Talisker distillery had run out of water, when we initially arrived and there had been a lot of moorland and lower mountain fires, some getting very close to the houses ...
So overall we had 5.5 days of settled, super weather while expeditioning and paddled 2/3rd's of the island. From Saturday pm we settled in to weather the storm, aware and hoping that a small weather window would hold and allow progress further along the coast. That never really materialised and a snapped tent pole, assisted the decision making process to relocate to a hostel.
We then managed a windy paddle in Dunvagen Bay, a surf session at Glen Brittle, a super sunny and settle paddle to Loch Currisk at the base of the Cullins (the UK's longest and most technical and demanding ridge) and on the last day a paddle at Kyle Rhea, working in the tide race.
The following few photos are what i felt where significant moments, or just made me smile ... I hope you enjoy ...
End of Day 2 and the lighthouse at the North of Rona ...
Got to be one of the best campsites in the world, with a few like that, back across to Skye ...
Day 3 and South of Staffin Island on the East coast of Skye ... my neck was sore by the end of the day ...
Day 5 - Neist Point light house in the distance and were on the West coast now ...
Day 5 and close to Macleods Maidens one of many stunning water falls and this is after nearly 7 weeks without rain ..
Talisker Bay the start of the bad weather. Amazing rolling surf and a waterfall flowing skywards ... it was just so bizarre to watch.
Day 12 - On the Way to loch Coruisk ...
What a stunning view - Loch Coruisk with the Cullins in the back ground ..
Leaving Soay Island with amazing emerald waters ...
Macleods Maidens with super descending light ...
We saw so many Black Guillemot's. Which I never seen before out of the water ... I just love those red feet ...
2030 sitting out side the tent, drinking a mug of tea, chatting as a team of 3, when a pod of 4 dolphins arrived (about 250 mt away). Just a magic end to the day ... (sorry couldn't get rid of this underline?)
A big well done to both Zoe and Gary for the effort, commitment and your smiles ... and thanks to Sonja for Blog updates and for keeping an eye on the weather ..
Roger
roger chandler
www.coastalspirit.com
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