![](http://lh3.ggpht.com/_YDeW6uBEz2o/TEDZMqm03iI/AAAAAAAANRM/XtLmLcfA4L0/100101IMG_8535.jpg)
We proceeded south. Although there was a clear blue sky...
![](http://lh5.ggpht.com/_YDeW6uBEz2o/TEDZNi8S8mI/AAAAAAAANRQ/arFJW27EfAI/100101IMG_8536-2.jpg)
...we were in the deep shade of the cliffs that tumbled into the sea from a frozen landscape above.
![](http://lh5.ggpht.com/_YDeW6uBEz2o/TEDZOo-mJnI/AAAAAAAANRU/1PXUcv7-W3M/100101IMG_8537.jpg)
We took a break on a frost covered shore. We hopped from one foot to the other to keep warm.
![](http://lh4.ggpht.com/_YDeW6uBEz2o/TEDZPaEifaI/AAAAAAAANRY/On_YOW8i-ew/100101IMG_8539.jpg)
Soon some hot soup and an 18 year old Glenfiddich achieved what the sun had singularly failed to do.
![](http://lh3.ggpht.com/_YDeW6uBEz2o/TEDZRj_guiI/AAAAAAAANRc/97G5jKszWzQ/100101IMG_8541.jpg)
At the time, I had this lovely P&H Cetus out on loan. I must say I appreciated its stability in the months leading up to my knee operation.
![](http://lh3.ggpht.com/_YDeW6uBEz2o/TEDZT2CXL3I/AAAAAAAANRk/b65Aq-w-C2Q/100101IMG_8543.jpg)
The air was very clear and the mountains of Arran were so appealing. In fact, their pull was so strong that Phil and I would go on to paddle there just three days later!