Chocolate eggs and sea monsters

Last Friday, three of us set off from Silver sands at the back of 7 in the evening for a short night paddle. The plan was to head out round Hawkcraig point, across the bay  to Braefoot, then cut across and round Inchcolm.The day had been fairly miserable up until then with thick haar which kept rolling in, in big, cold, damp clouds. England and Wales had been put on a smog alert as the air had been so still. We didn't seem to have had any wind either, so I  was expecting mill pond like conditions. Once we had rounded the point, we found that there was quite a swell with the occasional white horse. Lovely paddling conditions when we could see, but I admit to being a bit wary about these horses galloping up on us in the pitch dark! One good thing though, the haar had cleared and we had a beautiful sunny evening.



Honestly, I haven't had 1 too many choccy eggs

Ken approaching Inchcolm

 By the time we had a slow paddle round and across to the island, getting followed most of the way by the usual inquisitive seals, the sky was getting quite dark. We weren't going to have to stay on the island too long for the dark to come down. We stopped for a coffee and a Cadbury's cream egg, the things I do for chocolate.

Do you think the radiation is still a problem here

We put on our head torches and attached our glowsticks to our backs. We decided to aim back upstream a bit as the tide was going out and the flow can be quite strong at times and headed across towards Braefoot again. This was Bart's first evening paddle, so we wanted to keep him between the two of us.



Bart



Ken

Me

 We reached the shipping channel to find a boat approaching. We stayed put to allow it to pass us, only to find another one approaching. We allowed that one to pass as well. We may have right of way over the boats, but I'm not arguing with them. This one had spotted us, put their lights on us and asked if we were heading in to Aberdour. When we said we were, they shouted back, "That's OK, we'll not need to tell the others!"
As we were heading across the shipping channel after explaining to Bart, that once we start to cross, we have to really "gie it some welly " and clear the channel fast, I get a bit concerned when all stops for a photo shoot! I get even more concerned when I look to the right to see the most enormous sea monster which has appeared from nowhere. This tanker was huge and was sharing the same bit of water as us! I shouted at Bart to get a move on, this boat wouldn't even go bump as it flattened us! Another couple of paddle strokes and Bart decided to get another photo. I reckon he was trying for a close up without the zoom lens!!! Luckily, this boat was getting towed in to berth, but it could still shift. After a bit more yelling at Bart (he must by now think I'm a nag, could be right, but I like the thought of surviving my trips) we made it into Aberdour bay. The crossing itself had been surprisingly smooth. The waves seem to have been ironed out. As we approached the point to turn into Silver sands again, the chop got up again, but we didn't have far to go.
It's funny how in the dark the surf sounds huge. As we were approaching the beach, I was getting ready for my landing and was a bit surprised to find the "surf" was just a tiny ripple.

Just add water

Last weekend, Hubby dear and I spent our time at the Club Coaches weekend up at Glenmore Lodge. Arriving on the Friday evening, we quickly dumped our bags and headed straight for the bar where we bumped into a couple of guys I did my level 1 with last June. It was great seeing them again and catching up with all their adventures. After a rather delicious dinner (the food is rather excellent at Glenmore), we had a good natter with Wullie, the poor long suffering coach who assisted with the level 1. I wasn't sure he would remember who I was, but I think the nightmare of me and open boats will probably stick with him for a long time yet.
Next morning was spent getting various SCA updates, then more food. The afternoon saw me at the "coaching young paddlers" module. It was great to hear other coaches stories about the joys young paddlers can bring to us, such as not wanting to put kit away, disappearing before kit is put away, preferring to splash and soak anyone in the near vicinity. It made me realise that our club is pretty much like any other club. Wullie (yes, he had to put up with me for another afternoon) summed it up by saying it can be like herding kittens, so true.
The evening was sponsored by Balvenie whisky and saw us having a wee whisky or three with our tea. We were then surprisingly upstairs in the bar where there was "A question of paddlesport" quiz organised. Quite how Giles figured out the marking, I'll never know. One question right, 1 point. Any more right, have a few extra points, seemed to work.
Next morning was when we should be getting wet. Our course was "Intro to surfing". Our problem was beautiful, sunny weather and no waves! Our group headed upstairs to go over how to predict when the surf will be there with weather and surf reports, surfing etiquette and watched some surfing videos of how surfing should be done. We then all traipsed outside to go over different styles of surf boats. Marty then arrived with 6' garden canes. He explained they were used to mark out the beach to show where the surf area is and where the paddling out area is. So far so good. Next he took two canes with rubber bands at each end and stepped into them - a boat. He then stood at the top of a grassy slope (this was the wave) and started running up and down explaining which edge to use and how to get back on the wave. Looked absolutely hilarious but was extremely effective at showing how to use your body to move the boat. It was then our turn. We donned our "boats" and took turns at "surfing" much to the delight of the group who were stuck in a classroom all day "coaching the mind" who had now come out on their balcony to watch. Marty then brought out an inner tube, put his boat on it and showed us the effects of edging and good posture. Another very effective teaching aid. Hubby dear did suggest I get one for coaching. I did say I already had a spare tyre, but it wasn't quite the right one, although after all Glenmore's yummy food, my spare tyre might be just as effective.


Getting our instructions



Now our turn

With real paddles!

                                     
We then took the boats down to a lovely, calm Loch Morlich with not a single wave in sight where we had a go at paddling the surf boats, rolling them, then doing rescues and generally playing. So when I say, just add water, we did have water, just not the right type.

On Loch Morlich

                                                                              
Hats off to John, Fiona, Marty and Matt for giving us such a great days flat surfing. Hopefully we'll see you in a couple of weeks at Sandend and hopefully there might even be some waves.

5* sea training

Broadford Bay, not with the weather for the next few days!

After a quick zoom (Ken was driving) up to Gordon Brown's Skyak Adventures to start our 5* sea training, I was beginning to wonder if I'd made the right decision. I only sat my 4* assessment in November and when Ken and Iain said they were coming up to Skye, it seemed like a good idea to go along with them. I really wanted to further my skills, more so I could help others in bigger water, not so much that I wanted to go as far as the assessment.

After all our introductions, we made a list of what we hoped to get out of the course. At the end of the evening we had a large list of horrible things that no one really wants to do, but at the same time, things we need to be able to do. Just to add pressure to keep smiling, Simon Willis was also there doing some filming for Gordon Browns 2nd DVD. They had most footage for the DVD, but were hoping for some extras.


Ken and Rowland



Next morning we met at 9.00. We went over various bits of kit, whilst listening to the wind and rain get up. After umpteen cups of tea, we got kitted up and headed down to Armadale. There we went over rough water paddling and rough water landing and launching. They say a picture is worth a thousand words, well obviously the sight of my face was telling an absolute epic when I had a go at rough launching. As I set off into the rough water, the waves went out and I was left high and dry with my bow dangling over this huge 8' hole which had appeared. I felt as though I was a goner as I looked down into the jaws of doom! Meantime, Rowland, one of our caring coaches, was almost helpless, hee hawing at me as I sat there stranded. The wave came back in and boy did I paddle hard! We had a few more shots and it did get easier.

Les and Sarah

Iain



Dave at the back is still in his boat



Made it



Iain making it look easy

Back at the Broadford backpackers hostel (not the Hilton!), dinner was made and a well deserved beer cracked open.

Next day, 9.00 again, we were spending the morning doing navigation and open water planning.

What way up does the chart go?

In the afternoon we headed out to Kyleakin, where we were doing a bit of towing. We ended up with 8 of us in line towing Gordon, Rowland, Les and Simon with all his camera gear, up into the flow, under the bridge and very slowly across the shipping channel. Those being towed were getting a bit worried by now as there was a large boat coming through! Simon Willis' video clip. We stopped for a bite to eat on the beach until it was dark. We then started our night paddle, across and round the bridge legs. A weird sensation as you knew there was quite a flow, you just couldn't see where it was coming from. Thankfully the wind had died down and it was really quite nice and peaceful.

Back at the Broadford Hilton, spag bol and more beer was the order of the day.
Sunday, 9.00 we were getting ready to get on the water quickly. We headed down to Kyle Rhea to catch a huge wavetrain. We played in the surf here for a while, before heading to the side and doing some more towing. It was then back up to the jetty for a bit of incident management. Gordon was kind enough to put me in charge, the reason being, I was the only one still smiling. Take note, you don't have to be a sour face to go on these courses, just slightly dourer than the guy your standing next to when they're looking for volunteers! Rowland was being an unconscious paddler floating in the water. We radioed the coastguard who was going to be 45mins. Ken , Iain and Dave were attempting a scoop rescue. Rowland did ask later who stated "Christ! He's a heavy Bastard!" Ken, he was only playing at being unconscious! After this it was playtime and self rescues.

Playtime





Is this how FCAG paddle boats?
We stopped off in Pitlochry on the way home for eats, I've missed my post paddle beer tonight! I hate to think what folks must have thought of us, getting out of the car with varying degrees of creaks, groans and stiffness. I suggested a race to the chippy, last one there was the winner.
I certainly enjoyed everything I have learnt over the weekend. As always, I've had some great laughs and I reckon I must be about the only 5* trainee to get a cuddle from their coach, at least Ken and Iain never got one. Thanks Rowland. Thanks also to Gordon for being such a great, patient, good fun coach.



The kayakey kid and the storm cag - part 2

Well I've finally gone and done it, I've finished the storm cag! Took ages due to unneccessary disruptions such as work. It's not been broken in yet, but I've no doubt that won't take long. Storm cag no2 is already cut, hopefully I'll get that one made a bit quicker or I can see Ken trying to steal mine.





The Kayakey Kid has been at it again, he's been in training mode for polo. I reckon next season he'll be in Div 1 replacing his Dad, but in the meantime he's taking it easy with Div 2. He doesn't want to show his Grandad up too much!

 

                                      

                                             Can't wait to get on the water



 

Hey! look at me!



Concentration

Clear the cobwebs

                            

There's nothing quite like a bit of fresh air to clear the cobwebs. It's about a month since I was last out in my boat due to must do things like  - work!

Six of us met up at North Queensferry harbour and made our shuttle so we had cars at our getout. There we met a large group of paddles from Fife Seakayak Club who were heading back up to the bridges.



Under the north leg of the Forth Road Bridge



 This is the first time Paparazzi Bart has been out with us, Sarah T, Iain, Niall, Ken and my good self made up the rest of the group. We got in our boats and headed up the river under the Forth Road Bridge. There were no traffic jams down here! We then turned and headed down the river and under the Forth Bridge. We now know not to hang around here due to a previous trip when a rather grumpy guy chased us in his big speed boat because there were workers working overhead on the bridge, this is incase anything gets dropped from the bridge, can't say I fancy a spanner coming down and through my kayak.

Coming round Inchgarvie

                                                                        



Ken under the Forth Bridge



                                                                        



Me at the Forth Bridge



                                 

 We then had a little trip round Inchgarvie which is the small island at the middle leg of the bridge.

Rounding the bottom of Inchgarvie

                                                                              

Next we headed off towards St Davids Bay, AKA Legoland, from a distance that is just what it looks like. After our last trip in the Forth when we only saw 1 seal, this time there were quite a few. The green marker was a lovely resting place for 3 of them.



Lazing on a Sunday afternoon.



Dinners calling

                                                                              

 We were getting a lovely blow down the river and we were soon rounding Haystacks again. This week the water was a bit rough, but it didn't take long to make it round the back of Inchcolm to the wee harbour. There we met another 2 kayakers who were supposed to meet the rest of their group (FSC). After lunch they had a wee detour round by Oxcars lighthouse.

Niall (Inspector Gadget?) had brought along his new toy, a ghillie kettle. It heats a litre of water up in no time at all. The heat goes up through the middle of the kettle. If we had known flames would appear through the top we would have had marshmallows with us. It was great having a cup of coffee that didn't have that distinctive flask taste.

Inchcolm

                                                                           

After lunch a quick paddle was neaded to heat us up again. We aimed for Car Craig and then across to Silver Sands. At this point Sarah T and myself obviously natter too much and don't concentrate on our vectoring, either that or someone moved the trees.

 Coming close to the beach we met up with FSC who were just finishing their trip. Iain and Ken had a go at rolling, a bit chilly for that for my liking!. Back up at the car park there were more paddlers about to leave from Broughty Ferry Seakayak Club. It was a very busy, but great to paddle stretch of water. Maybe we should organise a paddle between all three clubs instead of  continually bumping (not literally) into them.

New Years Day lunch

Ken and Sarah T passing Hawkcraig Point

Up until the last few years, I always thought New years day was a bit of a wasted day. Everyone seemed to mope around a bit like zombies, nobody really got going until the 2nd. We now make a point of getting up early (well, not too early) to go out for a paddle, it's sometimes on the loch, other times it's been the river. This year we had decided to have lunch on Inchcolm island. Ken and I met up with Sarah T at the Silver sands carpark in Aberdour. There were a couple of other sea paddlers from Tayside there already. We had a quick natter with them then got our kit ready. We set off in nice calm conditions which pleased Sarah T as her only previous sea trip had been with another club in choppier conditions which hadn't given her much confidence.

Braefoot

 We headed out from Aberdour, past Hawkcraig Point to Braefoot Bay, out to Haystacks island then round to the back of Inchcolm. There was a distinct lack of seals on this trip, we're usually followed by them most of the time, but so far we had only spotted two duff ones, one a log, the other a grotty buoy, Niall you would have enjoyed Sarah T and myself thinking we were  going insane.  Coming round the back of the island we did spot our only seal of the day and it was a real one.

Still nice and flat

We landed on the beach and huddled in behind the wall. The wind was now picking up and was bitterly cold. Ken had a quick clamber to the top of the island and found a tunnel which seemed to run from one side to the other.

We headed out of the bay again and round past Car Craig. The water was getting a wee bit choppy by now, but a good blether back across took Sarah T's mind off it. We soon came back into Silver Sands where most of the population of Aberdour had now come out of hibernation.

It's great getting out for a bit of a paddle, it means I can go home, eat chocolate and watch a film without feeling guilty.



Me, thinking of my choccy!



Our picnic spot

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.