By the time we'd paddled about half way down Loch Shiel and the mountains had begun to recede on either side, the wind had dropped to a very light breeze. It was still an assistance though and we would eventually cover the length of the loch at an average 7km/h despite taking plenty of time to dawdle and enjoy the situation.
Second luncheon was on the horizon and we pulled over to the west side of the loch to land at a beach we've passed previously but not landed on. Stark when we saw it in winter conditions, it seemed a lot more welcoming with fresh green spring leaves opening and birdsong echoing across the hillside.
The glacial nature of the landscape is obvious in the ice-polished rock on the shore. The geology in this area is quite complex, this looks to be a metamorphic rock type. Among the pebbles on the beach we found some pieces of mica which were incredibly bright - almost mirror-like in their shine. We'll know this place as Mica Beach on future trips.
The view back up Loch Shiel was very fine, bright blue water framed by steep hillsides clothed in green and backed by a mountain skyline.
Closer to hand, the spring flowers were in evidence on a grassy bank above the beach, the beautiful flowers of Wood Anenome (Anenome nemorsa) studded the undergrowth; a welcome sight.
Another welcome sight was a small libation of Caol Ila malt whisky, dispensed from Douglas' flask - for we had something to celebrate.....
.....the first day on the water for Douglas' new P & H Cetus MV kayak. As we were marking h=the vent on fresh water, we would of course have to hold another launch ceremony when "Sula" first felt salt water!
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