Penultimate day

XC weather said that it would be light variable winds and sunny, which in anyones book is great paddling weather. So sure enough the day dawned with clear skies and as a result temperatures down at 5 deg.

We were up early, primarily to catch the flood tide up the Sound of Mull but also to take advantage of the fact that the winged fiends don't operate at low temperatures. We were on the water and away by 6.45am having logged in with Clyde Coastguard for the final time.. As we left we smiled hello to the resident otter floating on his back while consuming breakfast.

The sound was like a mill pond and with the help of the tide an hour an a half later we were pulling in at Calve Island in Tobermory bay to shed layers and refuel. As we landed a fight broke out among a small group of oyster catchers. Noisy birds at the best of times the racket was incredible. So intense was the exchange that they seemed oblivious to us.

Back out in the sound we made good progress using the last of the flood and by 10.30am were on the Ardnamurchan coast taking another breather and refueling.

We had originally planned to wait for the start of the afternoon flood tide before heading around the point, but with such favourable conditions we decided to go through against the head.

It worked well and the trip around the barren rocky promontary that is Ardnamurchan was fine and required little more than an increase in effort at the point.

Approaching the point first Canna, then Rum, then Muck and finally Eigg came into view with the Skye Cullin behind.

Finally we rounded the Point of Ardnamurchan, the final Turning Point on our journey and the start ofthe home run to Morar..

As we did so we spotted another group of paddlers and headed over to see them. It was Douglas, Jen, Dave and Jim on their way to Coll for some whale spotting who we thought we had missed but were running late. They were the first boaters we had spoken to in 3 weeks and the fact that they were friends was an added bonus. It was good to see them and we chatted for half an hour before going our seperate ways.

We headed into the bay behind Eilean Carrach for some serious refuelling and a siesta in the sun.

Refreshed we headed NE and then E along the N coast of Ardnamurchan passing along the edge of an ancient volcanic caldera. Don't believe us? Have a look at Google earth. Travelling along the coast we saw our first Shearwaters skimming low over the sea on hunting forays from their underground homes high in the hills of Rum.

After an hour or so we reached Port Ban and pulled in for break to obtain fresh water and to consider our next move. It had been a long day but the weather was superb and it would be a shame to waste it.

Fortified with chewy bars we continued on to the NE corner of Ardnamurchan. After a brief chat with a couple of local fishermen we decided to push on and make the crossing to Loch Moidart. An hour later we were ashore at the perfect campsite with a white sand beach and views out to Ardnamurchan, Eigg, Rum and the Skye Cullin. The sunset was to prove fabulous.

Distance travelled today: 62km
Total distance travelled: 807km
Midgee ferrocity: nil am. 4/5 pm.