tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-91888308780040514662011-07-08T03:59:51.873+01:00Kayaking the 'Lang Way Roon'. An 800km+ trip round he Northern Coasts of Scotland completing the circuit through the Caledonian Canal.Margaretenoreply@blogger.comBlogger261100tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9188830878004051466.post-70393664854798862032009-06-13T18:53:00.003+01:002009-06-13T19:21:55.221+01:00

We were woken early by the rain pounding off the tent and the wind whipping at the guy llines and mentally resigned ourselves to a wet start later in the morning before going back to sleep for a while longer. However when 7am came things had eased and gradually as we prepared to leave the skies cleared and the wind dropped.We were on the water by 9am and heading NNW across the Sound of Arisaig

Margaretenoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9188830878004051466.post-39207795030634225662009-06-12T23:47:00.001+01:002009-06-12T23:47:29.382+01:00

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

Margaretenoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9188830878004051466.post-41260403471562051932009-06-12T07:20:00.001+01:002009-06-12T07:22:16.417+01:00

We woke to a calm and sunny morning. Got up, got going and on the water for 8.30am.For the first hour the sea remained smooth and the winds light; however as soon as the tide turned the wind picked up and by the time we crossed the mouth of Loch a Choire we had a N F3-4 to wrestle with.The remainder of the trip along the SE coast of Morven proved a mixture of cross winds, head winds and periods

Margaretenoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9188830878004051466.post-67991907808626933152009-06-10T22:41:00.001+01:002009-06-11T18:25:01.194+01:00

We woke at 6am to a mixture of sunshine and clouds with light winds. The resident cuckoo was busy marking his territory.Having made good use of the toilet and shower facilities provided by British Waterways we were on the road by 8.15 trundling our way past the next set of locks. To the East of us 'The Ben' towered over the canal its gullies still dressed with the last of the winter snows

Margaretenoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9188830878004051466.post-41365511319894088102009-06-09T23:04:00.000+01:002009-06-09T23:05:32.184+01:00

After a great nights kip and a hearty breakfast we said farewell to our hosts and were on the water heading south by 8.30am.Winds were very light and the Loch was calm.As we headed down Loch Ness we passed the mouth of the River Morriston and, noting that it being Tuesday it would be running, a discussion ensued about a possible diversion. It was concluded that the boats were probably too long

Margaretenoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9188830878004051466.post-7887037896777388362009-06-09T18:02:00.000+01:002009-06-09T18:03:08.708+01:00

After a crow free nights kip we woke just before 6am and were pleased to discover that the tent was still in one piece. The night before we had returned from a trip into Rosemarkie to discover that another pole had broken and we now had a ridge tent. After a bit of fiddling with the tensioning straps we managed to improve the shape a bit but it was less than ideal.We were on the water by 7.45am

Margaretenoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9188830878004051466.post-68940518318726089442009-06-07T21:34:00.001+01:002009-06-07T21:34:58.045+01:00

After a comfortable nights kip on John's lawn we were woken at 4.30am by a flock of crows who had gathered on the beach and were excitedly discussing whatever it was that the tide had brought in. The noise was horrendous and we dozed fitfully after that before accepting the inevitable and got up.We were on the water by 8.30am heading south. The wind was NE F3 and there was still a swell running

Margaretenoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9188830878004051466.post-54854909981513027632009-06-07T09:47:00.001+01:002009-06-07T09:47:34.591+01:00

By the end of Friday the wind had been touching F7. When we woke the it had eased but the sea was still on the rough side so we opted for a slow start and a chance to wash ourselves and our kit at the campsite at Brora, and to effect running repairs.The night before we had concluded that pushing on down the coast to Embo would only reduce the crossing to Tarbat Ness by 3km in return for 20km of

Margaretenoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9188830878004051466.post-58443450302937739512009-06-05T21:53:00.000+01:002009-06-05T21:54:39.181+01:00

There was more rain during the night and we awoke early to temperature at 4 deg. A far cry from Mondays heatwave. The only upside we could see was that it was too cold for the midgees to make an appearance.We were on the water by 7.30am in order to make the best of the tide and conscious that the wind was due to pick up later in the day.The wind as we pulled out of the bay was N F3-4 with a

Margaretenoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9188830878004051466.post-18906695659045188712009-06-04T21:58:00.001+01:002009-06-04T22:00:33.981+01:00

We were woken early by the rain but fortunately it had stopped by the time we were ready to get going. All the same it was pretty cold with the air temperature down at 9 degrees and a brisk N F3-4 blowing.We were on the water by 8.30am and headed straight across Sinclair Bay to Noss Point. The sea state picked up as we got closer but was still only slight to moderate. At the point though

Margaretenoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9188830878004051466.post-64444883763476478622009-06-03T22:57:00.001+01:002009-06-03T22:58:53.273+01:00

Up slightly later than yesterday and on the water about 9.45am. There was no particular rush as the door south at Duncansby Head wasn't due to open until late afternoon.We had a minor hicough when one of the tent poles broke as we were taking it down. Not sure why it went. The winds hadn't been particularly strong overnight so that was unlikely to be the cause but we have noticed that the alu

Margaretenoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9188830878004051466.post-37550486867257716232009-06-03T11:21:00.002+01:002009-06-03T11:24:02.638+01:00

Thanks to Gavin's Dad for putting me onto these programmes by STV for those with a spare half hour but a quick view gives a feel for what they are passing at sea level.Enjoy

Margaretenoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9188830878004051466.post-19043599137411886532009-06-03T08:21:00.003+01:002009-06-03T14:13:34.362+01:00

The temperature overnight plummeted from yesterdays exteme weather event and we woke early to spring like temperatures, but also light winds.We were on the water by 8am with the first leg being to descend the river Halladale from our campspot back to the beach. An entertaining start to the shift.Swinging out of Melvich Bay we headed East along a coastline of gently sloping Caithness slabs and

Margaretenoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9188830878004051466.post-23305554873788410012009-06-02T22:05:00.004+01:002009-06-03T08:33:37.049+01:00

Hi The post from Gavin hasn't arrived at midnight, I will publish it in the morning they have had a big day.Also I thought I had the photos sorted and will now lift all the clever sign in thingy's that means nobody can see the photos! Sorry Douglas!!

Margaretenoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9188830878004051466.post-73078749958930367092009-06-01T19:57:00.001+01:002009-06-03T14:11:28.076+01:00

After a cold clear night we woke to heavy dew and another fine day in prospect with sunshine and light winds.The temperature rose rapidly as soon as the sun appeared round the headland and we were sweating hard by the time we'd moved the boats down and packed them.We put on just after 8.30am and were more that a little sad to leave Neave Island. Having had a look around the night before it looks

Margaretenoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9188830878004051466.post-46838967650191106132009-06-01T08:04:00.000+01:002009-06-01T08:05:41.958+01:00

We woke at 6am to yet another sunny day with light winds, plus yesterdays swell had eased considerably. Perfect paddling conditions!After a leisurely start we headed off in time to catch the start of the E going stream at Faraid Head. A lovely headland with an intresting array of stacks and outliers.From there we crossed the bay at Durness and took advantage of the relatively calm conditions to

Margaretenoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9188830878004051466.post-64782847112511730812009-06-01T08:03:00.000+01:002009-06-01T08:04:18.400+01:00

now that I have a signal:We were up just after 6am to be greeted by another sunny day with F3 SE winds. The surf in the bay though was still running at4-5'. There was no rush to be off though as we'd concluded that a 10.30am start was what was required to get us around the Cape.Instead we used the time for a spot of Shetland portaging. Having spent a bit of time watching the break we'd

Margaretenoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9188830878004051466.post-71288680987300168702009-05-29T22:53:00.000+01:002009-05-29T22:55:31.902+01:00

Perhaps it was the conversation about how glad we were that we hadn't bothered with a solar charger that did it, but whatever it was Friday morning brought a cloudless sky with light winds.At last!Getting afloat took us a bit longer than usual. We'd hitched a lift into Lochinver the afternoon before and faced with a shop full of food had given limited thought to where we might put it all. Still

Margaretenoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9188830878004051466.post-16492074672847319602009-05-28T20:26:00.001+01:002009-05-28T20:28:58.933+01:00

The grass must have been looking a little parched after yesterday afternoons 1hr of sunshine as by first light the rain was back on!Another wet start. It always takes longer to get going when you are confined to a tent but we managed to get on the water by 8.30am in time to catch the start of the North going steam around Rubha na Coigich.The rain eased off but the visibility remaind poor at 1 to

Margaretenoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9188830878004051466.post-76821621250069152182009-05-27T20:11:00.002+01:002009-05-27T21:59:20.932+01:00

Here's todays offering:The forecast rain started with a series of high intensity showers in the early hours each time loud enough to wake us.By day break it had become constant heavy rain. Ever the optimists we dozed waiting for it to ease. Eventually it did so and we got on with the business of a wet start.Later than planned we put on at 10am and made our way out of Loch Ewe and up the coast

Margaretenoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9188830878004051466.post-13053520265785354622009-05-26T18:32:00.002+01:002009-05-26T18:39:21.067+01:00

Here's todays offering. . . .Up at 6.30 and on the water by 8am with a view to getting up to Rubha Reidh in time for the last hour of the North going.XC forecast was for F4 SW increasing F5 WSW by 1pm. Sunshine and showers were also on the agenda. As we put on it was F3-4 and after 10 minutes of sunshine the first squall duly arrived.We headed up the coast for an hour or so and pulled in at

Margaretenoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9188830878004051466.post-66488119286126666602009-05-25T21:53:00.001+01:002009-05-25T21:55:09.201+01:00

Here's todays update.At 3am the wind was howling around the bothy and the rain was pounding off the roof.By 7.30am the wind had dropped right off and by just after 9am we were on the water just as the rain finally stopped.Pushed along by a F3-4 SSW we made good progress up the coast of Applecross.Stopped at Sands for a quick breather (famous for some TV thing last year according to Tony) and gave

Margaretenoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9188830878004051466.post-52869840969179758032009-05-24T21:46:00.001+01:002009-05-24T21:49:26.925+01:00

from GavinThe front finally cleared late on Saturday night leaving a fine calm sunny evening with superb views across the Crowlin Isles to Raasay and Skye beyond.Woke at 5am with a view to making some progress up the coast before the next weather system arrived, but it was already making its presence felt. Retired to bed to the sound of increasingly heavy rain on the roof and the building wind

Margaretenoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9188830878004051466.post-50133352501683569622009-05-23T20:02:00.001+01:002009-05-23T20:05:28.968+01:00

From GavinWoken early by the intermitent showers pounding off the tent.Departed Knoydart at 08.20hrs in a SE F3-4 with frequent showers.By 10.30 we had reached the Sandaig Isles, the wind had dropped to a whisper but the rain had set in good and proper.Headed from there up through a benign Kyle Rea stopping to chat to a couple of groups from the symposium who were also out enjoying the

Margaretenoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9188830878004051466.post-71096884197858809942009-05-23T17:29:00.003+01:002009-05-25T08:48:48.830+01:00

It rained, It rained, it rained, it rainedThe average rainfall was well maintainedAnd when the tracks were simply bogsIt started raining cats and dogsAfter a drought of half an hourWe had a most refreshing showerand then the most curious thing of allA gentle rain began to fallNext day was also fairly drySave for a deluge from the skyWhich wetted the party to the skinand after that the rain set in

Margaretenoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9188830878004051466.post-50924388173668962782009-05-22T23:48:00.001+01:002009-05-22T23:51:35.107+01:00

Left Morar Sands at 6.35pm, just the 1 hr to pack the boats and get on the water.Currently camped on the west tip of Knoydart just North of a very small settlement called Airor. Grid ref 721058.Weather perfect. Sea like a mill pond. Constant sunshine!Distance covered 17km. Time on the water 2hr 45min.Midgees are out and probably 1 out of 5 in ferocity terms.Pair of otters fishing in the bay in

Margaretenoreply@blogger.com0