Summer Isles weekend – 2-4 Oct 2015

Summer Isles weekend – 2-4 Oct 2015

Many thanks to Gillian for organising this weekend. Four of us arrived at the campsite at Altandhu on Thursday evening and the remaining three on Friday evening. The weather was not as good as expected but, never-the-less we enjoyed some great paddling.

Friday Team plus Ken

 Friday 2 Oct

Gillian, Tracey, Ken and Liz set off from the campsite to circumnavigate Isle Ristol. However it was quite windy and as we rounded Isle Ristol and progressed through the sound between Ristol and Eilean Mullagrach the swell became more and more impressive. A nearby motor boat gave us an idea of the size of the swell as it appeared and then completely disappeared with each wave. We decided to turn back and head down the coast in more sheltered waters towards Achiltibuie. We landed at the pebble beach at Polbain where Liz and Gillian got a lift almost straight away back to Altandhu to collect the cars and take us all back to the campsite.

Difficult launch on day 2

Gillian

 

 

Sat 3 Oct

Colin Surfacing

Mal, Oliver and Naomi joined us on Friday evening. On Saturday, the wind was still fairly strong so we headed for the beach at Achnahaird Bay and more shelter on the North East side of the mainland. After launching in difficult conditions, we contemplated heading for the point of Rubha Na Coigeach but decided against this with the big swell. Instead we headed East into Garvie Bay. On the way, Oliver and Naomi investigated the surf at the beach at Achnahaird Bay. On our return the surf attracted most of us in to play - to a greater or lesser extent – and as a result, most of us got very wet! Tracey, Ken and Liz called it a day whilst Gillian, Mal, and Naomi headed a short way up towards Rubha Na Coigeach. We all enjoyed a meal and/or drinks in the very warm and delightful An Fuaran Bar.

 

Sunday 4 Oct

The wind had abated at last. We drove down to Polbain to explore the main Summer Isles. Across to Tannara Mor and round the North of the Island then across to Tannara Beag. There were plenty of rock channels, caves and the big natural arch to explore. The sunshine came out and we had a lovely paddle with the glorious Assynt hills as the backdrop. All too soon it was time to make our way back to the beach, pack up and head for home. A great weekend!    

Ken. 

Tuesday Night Paddle 29th Sept

A beautiful fine evening; nine of us launched from the yacht club (Steven, Paul, Ken, Colin, Tracy, Chris, Naomi, Oliver and Charlotte). We paddled up under the underwater centre gantry and up the River Lochy.

High water and a spring tide meant we could choose varied routes up the Lochy and so by different channels we arrived at the railway bridge. By this time we had lights on and we drifted down river past the tail race and back to the club house.
After this trip we had a committee meeting where we discussed pool sessions and kit storage amongst other things.

Cuan Sound 29/30 Aug 2015 

Another wet and windy forecast for a Club weekend away! With heavy rain falling as we met at the Atlantic Bridge at Clachan we decided to head for the pub first!  There was little improvement in the weather as we set off into the relative shelter of Seil Sound. With the wind against us thoughts of exploring further evaporated and we headed for Cuan Sound to get the last of the favourable tidal stream at about 3pm. We zipped through the sound but were alarmed by the “wall of waves” appearing to block the exit. Fortunately by staying close to the shore we were able to avoid this and paddled round to Easdale for our camp. Sunday was forecast to be the better day but it was still very overcast and windy. We set out from Easdale into the wind and a big swell heading for Belnahua. Here Ken and Liz waited on the island whilst the others - Oliver, Naomi, Gillian and Brian paddled on to explore further. On their return we all sped back to Easdale with a following wind and tide. Once again a very interesting and enjoyable weekend, in spite of the weather.

 Weekend trip, 19th & 20th September, Ulva, Little Colonsay, Staffa & Gometra

2nd time lucky, weather looked like we'd have a chance to get out to fingals cave on Staffa, albeit with an ominous wind due on day two.

Trusting the well known accuracy of west coast weather forecasts, a group of 8 paddlers, Oliver, Naomi, Peter, Steve, Mal, Colin, Ken & a first trip for Spencer 'where's he gone?' Noble.

A leisurely 6am start saw us on the ferry from Lochaline at 8.45, we made it to our put in at Ulva ferry and chatted for quite a while. Around 10.20 we realised we should probably get in our freshly packed boats and try and cover some ground.

The first couple of hours passed uneventfully with light air and calm water, we pushed on noticing less wildlife than usual, only a couple of seals and a brief otter spotting. Lunch on Little Colonsay and Spencer made his first disappearance, turning up to hastily eat his lunch while we were getting ready to set off.

We headed out round Little Colonsay looking at the ominous crossing ahead- it seemed way further than I expected on the map as the island ahead was hidden by a light haze you only normally get on a 2 hour plus crossing. Then we rounded little colonsay proper and realised that staffa was about where it was supposed to be.

A new course and a gentle building headwind saw us on staffa after about an hour, those later to arrive piled straight round to fingals cave experiencing some fairly lump water and a couple of speedboats, Spencer appeared above Oliver walking in the cave and proceeded to leap into the water, one of probably not many people to swim in Fingals cave.

After an explore we all landed to explore Staffa, including the group photo below (Spencer missing in the first we took...) and had a bit more food as a fewmore in the group took on the rough water to get to the cave - obviously it had calmed down as we reached slack water - typical.

We then crossed direct to Gometra, and arriving amidst a huge seal colony (at least 50) decided to push on round the island, hoping to get ahead of tomorrows forecast. Some interesting rock hopping and rock not quite hopping led round 'yet another headland' to where we finally camped in Acairseid Mhor. A couple of sea eagles a stag and group of hinds (red) made up for the lack of wildlife at the start of the day. A pretty good camp saw us up in the morning as Spencer ran off into the hills, trying to catch up with Ken, who was cooking his breakfast outside his tent.

The last day was fairly uneventful, with some good rock gardens to pick through and only the occasional strong wind, back in plenty of time for the ferry and enjoyed a sendoff from an Otter playing around as we packed up at Ulva ferry. Not bad.

Circuit of Applecross Peninsula 31 July – 02 Aug 2015

The pictures in no way describe this trip accurately!

With wet and windy conditions there was much thought and discussion on Friday evening as to whether we should even attempt this trip or not. However, as time passed the wind abated slightly so we decided to set off. Conditions were fairly lumpy and wet, but we all made it. The advance party arrived at the Uags bothy at about 10pm, but the later party arrived in the dark with a head torch light from the bothy guiding them in. Conditions were much the same on Saturday with a spell of spectacularly heavy rain and a strong tail wind. A very welcome stop was made at the Applecross Inn for lunch, where we were welcomed despite all being dripping wet. The afternoon was much the same and with a few capsizes in the difficult conditions (all expertly rescued by Gillian and Brian) and so we decided to land and camp slightly short or our intended location. Tents were erected quickly and people were able to change into dry clothing and warm up. Constant showers interrupted our attempts to socialise so an early night was had by all. At last we saw some sunshine on Sunday. The wind was lighter so the sea much calmer – but we had to head into the wind now so the paddling was harder work. We were rewarded with spectacular views of the Torridon hills as we made our way to Shieldaig. One final haul of all the kit and boats up to the shore, collection and loading of the cars and, after refreshments in the hotel we were ready for the long wet drive home.

This was an exhilarating and challenging weekend for many of us but a great time was had by all. Many thanks to the organisers and to the more experienced paddles for looking after us.

Left to right in the group photo are Colin, Naomi, Chris, Oliver, Elizabeth, Charlotte, Peter, Gillian, Ken, Steve and Brian. 

4th Aug Tues Eve paddle

In spite of the wind - a vigourous SW with quite a few white horses - a party of 6 (Peter, Charlotte, Oliver, Naomi, John and Paul) set off from Caol beach. We managed across to the an Caol island which gave shelter from the waves but not much from the wind (enough to keep two windsurfers happy). Then on the rising tide we just managed to get across the shallows to the mouth of the Lochy. We paddled up the Lochy as far as the railway bridge. Coming back the conflict between river current, tide and wind made for some interesting ferry glides. Thankfully by the time we returned along the beach the wind had died - slightly!

28 July -Tuesday paddle Loch Linnhe

A good turn out, Paul,Tina, Tracy Chris, Naomi, Oliver, Peter, Charlotte, Ken  & Liz.
From the picnic site we went north to Corrychurrachan (not a lot happening here) then to the Black Rock - no seals! Weather slightly damp and flat calm, ideal for the midges but not at sea. We headed across to Inverscaddle Bay and then as far as we could up the river, needs a spring tide to get to the road bridge. Drifted back down the river and after a brief stop to conquer Eilean nan Gal back to the picnic site

July 21st Tues Eve paddle - Balnagowan

"July 21st Tuesdays evening paddle from Cuil Bay out to Eilean Balnagowan.

Eight paddlers from the Club, Paul Biggin, Ron Cameron Tracy Jeffrey,
Naomi,Charlotte and Peter Hatto, Oliver Millington and Colin T made the trip
out to Eilean Balnagowan. Despite the recent poor and unpredictable weather
we had a fine evening paddle, nearly summer like! Sunshine, dramatic
darkening skies and Ron chasing rainbows to guide us back to Cuil Bay. Lots
of seals were seen around the island and a few caught a brief sighting of an
otter."

4th July Club Trip Oich and Garry

 Last Saturday saw a record 10 folk set off down the River Oich on a Nevis Canoe Club trip.  Lindsay, Cat, Seonaid, Andrew, Bridget, Kate, Jacob, Colin, Martin and Simon all launched into the canal and paddled to the top of the river at the outflow from Loch Oich.  Initially excitement was provided by the weir at the start of the river.  Successfully negotiated by all it was time to tackle the riffles and rapids of the river.  One small mishap, and a couple of hours later saw us arrive in Loch Ness.

After a sumptuous afternoon tea at the Invergarry House Hotel, Ali joined the group for a run down the River Garry.  Whilst some of the group chose the scenic route along the bank, others decided to swim the river, with the remaining group members deciding to stay in their boats - a true multisport day!