Spring is here!



We had a wonderful 2nd trip out with FSKC, putting in at Lower Largo. We had originally planned on going to the May Island, but one of the paddlers was coming out on the water for the first time. The May trip isn't exactly a beginners trip. A trip up to Elie was arranged with the chance of a bit of rock hopping for the rest of us, hence the plastic boat was stuck on the roof. We arrived in Lower Largo in beautiful sunshine, flat calm seas, perfect starter conditions, pity no starter turned up that day!

Ray and Lara at the start of the chainwalk

5 of us set off across the bay amazed at what a wonderful day it was and we were still in February. We soon arrived at the rocky section which gave us a chance to have a bit of a play in the rocks and try to check out some of the caves. The tide was very low, so we couldn't get into all the caves. The chains on the chain walk have been replaced fairly recently and were still nice and shiny (and still there!) We even managed to find one of the caves we knew about, but had never found before. When we saw it we realised just how low the tide had to be to get in.

No way through

Found the cave at last

Low water entrance

Just past here, we had 3 porpoises swimming very close by. I think having the water so calm meant they were easier to spot. Although we're out on the Forth regularly, this is only the 2nd time we've seen them here. I have seen a large pod of dolphins in the Forth before, but not while I was paddling, just from the beach.

Porpoise

Lara porpoise spotting

Climbing frame?

With a bird's eye view

We then headed out to West Vows where Hubby dear insisted on getting out for a clamber. No wonder the Kayakey Kid can't sit still when his Grandad is just as bad!
It was then over to the lovely sandy beach at Earlsferry for lunch before heading back the way we came.

A simply superb day for paddling with great company again.

Turkey Basher

In the end only three of us met up for our Turkey basher trip (no turkeys were hurt on this trip). We met and set off from the back slipway at Elie harbour, this was very aptly named due to the ice that was still lying around. Getting the boats ready at home, the weather was only what you could describe as miserable, however, Elie  has it's own weather system, the day was fair and almost warm. It was over freezing - just. Niall was in his Christmas present, a new dry suit. Ken had his Christmas present with him, a new Greenland paddle. Ken has never paddled with a Greenland before but found it quite easy to use, although I'm not sure he felt he could rely on his support strokes quite yet.

We headed out from Elie and round the coast. Further on Niall got quite excited, he'd spotted a whale, a really big whale that made a huge splosh. This whale was going nowhere and was now breaching fairly regularly. This rock will probably now always be remembered as Niall's rock. Never mind Niall, I could see the rock, but I couldn't make out a thing on the map right under my nose!

We then spotted a cormorant/shag  come back up with a large fish, so big it couldn't munch it and was mugged by a seagull for it. We went over for a closer look as the seagull was also struggling. I think it was a colourful wrasse, I hadn't realised we still had fish that size in the Forth.

We stopped for lunch at Pittenweem harbour before catching a nice swell to take us back to Elie.

It was quite a nice short trip, but far enough when you realise how much extra ballust ( turkey and chocolate) you're wearing.