Allan, Lorna, Donald and I met up on a chilly mid-morning on 2nd January 2019 for our first paddle of the year (a day later than we did in January 2018!). The first paddle of 2019 was also the first day back on the water after a lengthy period for both Allan and Lorna who have been recovering from illness and surgery, it was great to be able to share this with them. Douglas had intended to join us on this trip but had to pull out - so there's another "first paddle" to be done soon.
We met at Samalaman Bay and packed our boats before carrying them down to the water, the temperature encouraging us to get going - it wasn't a morning for standing around.
We were taking advantage of a huge area of high pressure over Scotland - the barometer showed 1040Mb during the day; unusually high for winter. The preceding night had been so cold that Allan and Lorna's camper van froze up and they had the unusual experience of having to use an ice scraper on the inside of the windscreen! The high pressure did bring settled conditions though and we paddled out onto a calm sea with the hazy outlines of Eigg and Rum ahead of us.
The plan was to paddle south down the coast to a favourite beach for lunch, then we'd return to Samalaman. Donald and I would then continue on to Loch AIlort and make this our first overnight trip of the year.
We had a relaxed paddle down the coast. Even with the short winter daylength there was no time pressure and the pleasure was in just enjoying being back out on the water. Approaching our intended lunch stop, a cold wind blew from the shore, the wind pouring out of the north channel separating Eilean Shona from the Moidart shore - it was a stiff paddle to the beach for the last few hundred metres......
....but worth it. Port Acadh an Aonaich is "port of the ridge field" in Gaelic which perfectly describes the place; a narrow point of clipped machair below a rocky cliff, it has small white sand beaches facing both north and south. These beaches give the alternative name of White Sands - somehow a less ringing name than the Gaelic original. Whatever the name it's a fine spot to pause for lunch. We found some shelter from the wind and ate our lunch, followed by the statutory slice of Christmas cake of course!
After lunch we got back in the boats and made our way slowly back up the coast, exploring the rocky channels where we could and generally taking our time and chatting. We were back at Samalaman all too soon, where we would split up. Allan and Lorna were heading home to Aberdeenshire while Donald an I turned our boats around for the next bit of the trip.
I like paddling in summer but the thought of falling in there with just a normal wet suit on puts me right off winter kayaking. I have tried borrowed dry suits but didn't really fancy them kayaking as the one I had was very restrictive and heavy for exploring anything on foot... like islands. Maybe just not used to it.
ReplyDeleteWe generally use drysuits in winter and "two piece" bib and jackets in anything else apart from really warm weather Bob, but we generally carry boots or trainers and walking kit for exploring on land - which is one of the most enjoyable bits of kayak trips
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