Girls just want to have fun!

In August I was honoured to be asked to coach at the WSKF on Bute.

Busy Bute

Getting to grips with balance

Round the Burnt Islands

 

 I had 4 lovely ladies needing an introduction to seakayaking. What a thoroughly enjoyable weekend I had, all the more so as one of the ladies was battling cancer at the time and her determination was awe inspiring. I must have done OK as I have been asked to the Devon one this year.

Back home, we now have no shower and very little kitchen. The garage still doesn't want to come down. Time to head off again!

This time 5 of us, Andy, Ansgar, Alice, Ken and myself,  headed off to Lewis and Harris.

Shiants sunset

 Our first night was a flat calm trip out to the Shiants, that saw Andy sleeping fully clothed with one eye open most of the night due to the fact there wasn't much beach and the tide was fairly high! With a bit of a strong breeze forecast, we didn't want to hang around too long so after playing in and out the rocks at Galtachan, we cut straight back to the lighthouse at Rubha Uisinis  and up to Leumrabhagh.

 We then decided to camp outside the hostel at Reinigeadal as the weather was forecast to get really breezy. We managed a lovely trip out round Scalpay, a very fast, one way trip/surf the full length of Loch Seaforth and a walk over the hills to Tarbert for a swim, just to find the pool was closed due to lifeguard shortage!

Garenin Blach House

 We spent the next few days over at Garenin where we stayed in a Black House hostel, I would highly recommend it if you are in the area. From there we had trips out from Miaghaig, passing the "Cuma", no-one was home. and round the inside of  Great Bernera, another trip out from Carlabhagh round by a  stormy Craigearn and back in through a massive jacuzzi.

Sheltering from the "breeze"

 Unfortunately due to the drafty conditions, we were kept well away from all the outer beaches. The last of our time up in the Hebrides was spent storm watching!

Still a wee gap on the floor for our kit!

Even less kitchen now, but beginning to get new windows. Garage is eventually down to the foundations!

Warmer waters

Colourful waters!

Time for some warm water! A wee trip to Gran Canaria was in order.

Kitchen units are now in, still no shower. Garage is beginning to be rebuilt!

Spot the paddling kit on the line!

Time to get away again! 

Arddaroch

Ice cream stop

Off to Torridon for a weekend with LSKC this time. We had great trips out on Loch Sheildaig, managing an icecream at the hotel there. Next day, we had a mass paddle out from Arddaroch, passing Kishorn island, round to the coral beach then in to Plockton for icecream. As good a weekend for socialising as it is for paddling!

More paddling kit drying!

As for the house, garage is getting there, heating is in and the decorating is just beginning (my job!) Guess I'll need to stay at home a bit now!

Spitting on Taransey, Tsk, Tsk!



Paddling through the Sound of Taransay

Next morning we leave the peaceful bay and paddle round past Luskentyre dunes. These sands are one of the few memories I have of Harris from when I was young in the year dot. We carry on through the crystal clear turquoise waters until we reach the Taransay spit where two tides collide as they meet. The day we were there the sea was lovely and calm, but there was still a bit spitting going on. I can only imagine what it would be like with a bit of a swell.

Not too much spitting

Coffee time

 After a quick break, we carried on to the end of Taransay and crossed over to Loch Leosavay where we had lunch in another stunning setting.

Loch Leosavay

Carl chilling out

Amhuinnsuidhe Castle

 We then carried on round to Scarp with even more wonderful beaches.

Afternoon break

Tough paddling

 After a rather inelegant exit from my kayak, I thought it was time for a bit of self rescue practise and generally getting wet. The Cuma met us in the next bay before we headed over to Loch Tamnabhaigh again for the evening.

Oops!

Boreray and Stac Iain

We are by now settling into our morning routine, Anne rearranging her bags, me continually losing my glasses, Murty eventually emerging from down below and Iain always getting the corner seat . The three non paddling passengers sit tucked in the other corner, possibly worried incase Anne packs them away, but more than likely still shell shocked at the organised chaos that is a group of paddlers getting ready for the day. They only went ashore once during their trip. I think after we left, they sat back with relief and enjoyed the peace and quiet.

Pick up a Puffin!

Hubby dear with Hirta

Anne

Murty

Murdo took us over to Boreray, where we launched next to a mass of Puffins, the most I'd ever seen together. We set off up towards Stac Lee with thousands of Gannets swirling overhead.

Iain claiming Stac Iain

As we approached the stac, Iain jumps into the water and makes a general request for someone to look after his boat. A few jaws dropped at him doing this and stayed dropped when neither Hubby dear nor I batted an eyelid, this being the sort of thing Iain enjoys doing, we're quite used to it. As Iain clung to some slimy bits of seaweed and possibly needed a manicure after scrambling at the rocks, he has claimed Stac Lee as Stac Iain as probably no-one has set foot on the island for a while.

Mike

Me





Back in the boat, we carry on north and round Stac an Armin, then down the east side of Boreray, where the waves were getting interesting bouncing back off the island. We certainly weren't exploring any nooks and crannies on this side. As we rounded the bottom, everything settled down again and we headed back to the Cuma via some caves after more island claiming from Iain and Hubby dear.

Carl

More island claiming!

After more nosh, with the boats tied down, it was time to leave St Kilda. It amazes me how it has managed to survive thousands of years constantly getting battered by huge storms (not while we were there!) with having so many arches, caves and tunnels, it must be like a giant Aero. It truly is a magical place.

That evening we stayed in the beautiful bay at Taransay. Another evening of serious discussions ensued, such as whisky or Bailey's? or what about both!

Beautiful Taransay bay