Going out for dinner - an outside table for three please!

After passing through the tunnel we continued past the gaunt ruin of Findlater Castle on our way to Logie Head, the bold blade of rock marking the eastern end of Cullen Bay.

 
There are rockhopping possibilities here too in such calm weather and we threaded the channels at the very base of the head..........

....before paddling along the shore of Cullen Bay past small rock stacks, enjoying the warm sun on our faces..........

 ...............to arrive at our dinner destination, Cullen.  The town is best known for "Cullen Skink", a smoked haddock, potato and onion chowder.  Haddock would be on our menu too, but in a slightly more calorific form :o)

The classic British Fish n' Chips, served in paper and eaten al fresco - what could be better?!  We bought our dinner from "Linda's Fish & Chips" just above the harbour and ate them whilst sat on the harbour wall, our "table" had great views along the bay.

Suitably fed and watered, we got ourselves sorted for the paddle back to Sandend.  The wind had now died to a breath, but despite this we were pleased to note a complete absence of midges - the little blighters are fortunately much less prevalent on the east coast.

Our evening out had given us superb close-in paddling amongst the rock architecture, channels and caves; a historic castle, some lovely views of the birds along the coast, but there were two more special treats saved for our retun leg....