Nov 30th – Dec 1st
So a free weekend and a good “high pressure” forecast, what
to do????? For other reasons I started
the weekend in Helensburgh and had to finish it in Edinburgh.
So Saturday the 30th at -2 deg C air temperature
and an absolutely classic blue sky day.
I launched my fast sea kayak on to Loch Lomond just south of Luss in
complete stillness and calm. It seems
there are at least 10 islands /islets in the southern end of the loch and to
loop them all looked like about a 25 kms paddle. Would fit nicely into the winter daylight
hours and get me back at the beach by about 14.30hrs.
I had a rough plan and so went north east to start with –
great views up to Ben Lomond on the right bank and the Cobbler on the
left. Looping past Inchtavannach and down
by Inchconnachan I spied a sunken /capsized sail boat. Called the Sea Witch and sitting on her side
flooded she did not look healthy – nobody around in trouble though. I did check later and gather from the rangers
that this is not a new incident and they have a plan!
Cruising at about 7-8 kph I went south to Creinch and then off round the largest island of Inchmurrin. A few cottages and a boatyard all seemed deserted as I went by. The sea plane made itself felt though as its turboprop engine is quite a distinctive drone that intrudes on the peace. Some other guy as well over the east bank in a Cessna doing aerobatics.
I went across and in to Balmaha bay for a leg stretch / coffee break. The last 50 yds near the jetty was still a sheet of thin ice so I had great (childish) fun carving through it. Two paddle-boarders turned up and happily popped out on to the Loch whilst I was there; sun was shining still but I guess it would be good to fall in.
Round Inchfad and north through some narrows saw me once again
in open water up towards Strathcashell Point, but still flat calm and easy
going. Round Inchlonaig and west into Luss
bay. The very low sun by this stage was
straight in my eyes as it approached the horizon line. Under the pier and back along to the
beach. Lovely.
Day 2 was to be nearer Edinburgh so I looked at the currents
and planned a trip out from North Berwick.
As the Bass Rock is really only a couple of kms out, I drew up a circuit
that would cover the 3 lumps of rock in this neighbourhood and be about 23 kms.
There was a freshish breeze from the
west so the sea was not glassy smooth but good enough.
On the opening westward (upwind) leg I detoured a bit to
meet up with a guy on a SOT just to say hello – he was a local just out for the
exercise too. The coastline here is a
bit tricky as it has long fingers of rock reaching out maybe 500m from the surf
line and it pays to keep your eyes peeled. Up past South Dog, round North Dog
and then by the magic that is downwind paddling I was zooming along.
Past outboard of the Lamb and Craigleith, and onto the 5 km
stretch across to the Bass Rock which had been looming over the trip all the
time. Very few birds on the rock at this
time of year but that wasn’t why I went anyway.
It looked magnificent in the winter sun.
Headed due south to have a look at Tantallon Castle sticking
up from the headland – it looks like there’s just the one remaining fortified
wall standing - a few tourists up on the
battlements watching over me. Then to
get back I was upwind again but with a little tidal flow to help. Past the Leithies and into Milsey Bay. A quick run through small surf and I was back on the beach
without mishap, and before the light went.
Who says that paddling is a summer sport!
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