Tuesday, December 15, 2009

Hiding in Lunnock Cave, Mull of Galloway


Once we had made sure that Phil and David were safely round the Mull of Galloway, Tony and I thought we had better hide in Lunnock Cave for a bit, till they cooled off!

David had done incredibly well, given it had been his work Christmas Party the night before and he had not got home till 330am. Phil had done the gentlemanly thing and driven him down to the Mull. We had told David and Phil that it might get a wee bit bumpy at the point, but David wasn't really listening, as he was trying to tune his radio into Radio 2. Apparently, he did not hear me shouting to keep close into the rocks and Phil thought the waves at the rocks were clapotis to keep well clear of. So David and Phil spent a little longer in the race than might be prudent.

The first few waves broke right over him and David said later that he never wished to wake up from a hangover that way again! The third wave imploded his spray deck and filled his cockpit with water but full of stoic, he paddled on till eventually, he and Phil broke out of the race.

This was all incredibly entertaining for the rest of us. Jim rafted up to pump David's boat out, as he regained his composure and Tony and I thought we had better retreat to the cave, where our laughter might be more discrete.


Jennifer soon found our hidey hole...


...as the race roared by at 7 knots.

5 comments:

  1. That race looks like loads of fun and definitely a way to clear ones head!

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  2. Had to sit in this cave last night till i rebuilt my energy levels to fight the crazy currents with my mate on our sit on tops,hardest fight against the sea to date,John and Dave.

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    1. Hi John and Dave, the Mull of Galloway sure belts along, it is a handy place for a rest though! Were you going from west Tarbert to East Tarbert?

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  3. Hi Douglas , we came out the cave and turned left against the currents to the small bay round the point where we were camping,was a major hard slog but after a few failed attempts we managed it in the end,new to this game but loving every moment of it, we normally visiting all the islands in the firth of forth so this was a nice change and a lesson in respect of the sea .

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    1. Hi John and Dave, the speed of the west going ebb tide was dropping off that night as the ebb came to an end so you did the right thing to rest until it had eased off. At full speed on a big spring tide I have measured it at 22 km/hr 11 knots and it is not possible to paddle against a current going that fast. I am glad you enjoyed your Galloway trip. :o)

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