Busy Bees...

Something a bit different for a change ....

And this butterfly has seen better days ...

So Cool ....

A Bute'iful Day

With heavy swell hitting the East Coast.  Or at least a bit on the big side for me ( about 12 foot surf according to reports ), headed west to more calmer waters.  Parked just south of Wemyss Bay, and took a bearing that was almost due west exactly.  The sea state was somewhat calmer than on the East ...

Rothesay was reached in record time, there being few ships on the Clyde to avoid.  So by 10:30 was sitting in the harbour eating ice-cream :-)

The return journey was somewhat more interesting, mainly because of the number of ferries and yachts on the water.  Was like dodgems at the fair.  However, the fine weather continued, with these two fine fellas enjoying the sun ...

And the guillemot with her chick ...

Wandering up the coast of Bute, found a suitable spot to stop for lunch ...

After lunch, it was a case of crossing back, to see how the other half live ...



and watch the big boys play ...

Gannets Galore

Saturday was a LSKC club trip.  Since it was a leisurely 10.30'ish start, I arrived early and went round Lamb and Craigleith beforehand.  High water was at 08:00, and it was likely that they would be heading out to the Bass, so I decided to head west initially.

I had passed Craigleith and heard a familiar sound behind me.  Yep, friends in high places had came to check me out .....

They circled round me then went on their way.  The aircraft was from RAF Boulmer.  Dunbar lifeboat was out as well, although there was nothing on the VHF, so not sure what was going on.  However, got a friendly wave from the winchman.

Joined up with the others about 10:30, and headed out to the Bass.

The 'white' on the top of the Bass is about 50,000 pairs of gannets.  Comical bords, and the chicks are still moulting ...

12.6 Nm

The 'Durty'

Today was spent helping out at the Durty Triathlon.   This is an swim / cycle / run event, the details of which can be found here.  However, before the event started, as it was such a nice day, went for a potter along St.Mary's Loch.

On the way back, noticed this strange contraption ...

Closer inspection revealed two of them, actiing as equalised anchors for what appeared to be a temporary mooring ( three oil drums filled with concrete.  Couldn't really see the point of the mooring, but the woodens barrows made for a fine seat.

Here we go again ...

Been a while since I posted, mainly because I couldn't be bothered.  However, the notion has been put back in my head, so here we go again ....

Swell Time on Fidra

Forecast was for F3 and rain. And, perhaps of a bit more concern, a good three metre swell.  The vague plan was to meet at North Berwick and paddle west to Fidra. 

We met at North Berwick right enough, but the dumping surf persuaded several of us that launching from the harbour was the better option.  Although the swell was sweeping round the harbour wall, it was more manageable there.

So without too much fuss, we all launched, and eleven of us took to the water.  There was no rain and the sky was brightening up.  We all managed to get out of the breaks, and onto the open Forth.  Although it wasn't dumping surf, in the sense of ten foot walls of water, it was still enough to give folk a thump, and remind them who was the 'boss'. 

Bit once out in the fairway, life was much easier ...

The swell was always there, although it doesn't really come out in the photographs ...  From the 'uphill' view ..

Both Lamb and Fidra were crossed on the north side.  Lunch was held on the west side of Fidra

Watching the swell coming round ...

Some time was spent watching the water on the south side of Fidra.  It was probably the roughest I've seen it, with some powerful sets coming through. 

However, by the time we finished lunch, they were much reduced, so we went through, albeit a few at a time ...

It was a faily quiet paddle back to North Berwick, with a little bit surf to negotiate to get back into the bay.  But everyone made it.  All in all, an interesting day, and shows how just one element can change the seriousness of what is normally a straighforward paddle. 



Petico Wick

After what feels like a long break, finally made it out on to the water.  Work and the weather have both conspired to prevent earlier trips.  Sunday's weather was nothing special either, ans must confess was tempted to lie in bed.   There wasn't much wind, but it was raining steadily, plus there was some mist. 

The journey across to Eyemouth didn't start well - the windscreen wiper fell off the car.  Not a good start.  So it was the good old duct tape to the rescue.  It held for the rest of the journey, and through today's heavy downpours.

Went from Eyemouth up to Petico Wick and back.  A dull, wet, overcast day.  Lunch was, well, wet ...

Played amongst the rocks on the way back, with a few porpoises being spotted.  

Although it was a dreich February day, it was good to be out again, and, although it doesn't sound it, was worth getting out of bed for ...

Inchcolm ...

Today saw a fairly short paddle from South Queensferry to Inchcolm, and back.  There wasn't much of a plan - head out, paddle, come back ...  Not very professional, but it suited the mood of the day.  Six of headed out from Longcraigs Pier, one minus a BA.  But it was pretty calm, and forecast to be no more than F4, so were reasonably happy. 

Inchcolm was reached uneventfully in just over an hour, assisted by the fresh SW'ly wind.  Inchcolm houses an abbey, owned by Historic Scotland.  Details can be found here.

Officially, kayakers are not allowed above the High Water mark.  A ruling rigourously applied by Historic Scotland.  Unless you part with £5 that is.  But today, we were the only souls on the island, so lunch was enjoyed in the shelter of the Abbey, as opposed to sitting on an open beach.

Last time I was here, a wedding was in progress ...

There was no such ceremony today and the only company we had were the seals. 

Lunch was a lengthy relaxed affair - ususual for the time of year.  But the journey back beckoned. 

The original plan was to head round by Oxcars, but for various reasons, we pretty much headed straight back, with a one of the party getting a wee tow to help them along ...