Wednesday, February 18, 2015

Tunnel vision and the consumption of alcohol when winter sea kayaking in Loch Sunart.


The east wind whistled straight down Loch Sunart from the icy slopes...

 ...of Garbh Bheinn at its head.

 To the west gathering snow clouds darkened the sky but...

 ...the view to the east continued to clear and patches of blue sky appeared and bursts of sunlight dappled the hillsides.

 Mike spotted a rare beach of sand so it was undoubtedly time for second luncheon...]

...which we enjoyed  on the rocks below the ancient oak woods of Sunart, which come right down to the shore.

We poured some excellent Jura, which went down extremely well. However this blog has been spammed recently by "a responsible seakayaker" who is very unhappy that I am setting a bad example by portraying drinking while sea kayaking. Here is this morning's example:

"I am a responsible sea kayaker and I strongly object to your repeated glorification of the consumption of alcohol on your sea kayaking trips. Have you no insight into the bad example you are setting to impressionable sea kayakers whose lives are endangered by your irresponsibility? You should be ashamed of yourself."

Just in case there are any impressionable sea kayakers out there who feel they are unduly influenced by our luncheon habits (we never imbibe with breakfast by the way), let me just say that:

"Alcohol can impair your judgement, affect your coordination, make you more liable to exposure and if you are male, make you impotent."

 I trust any impressionable readers have now  been well and truly warned of the evils and dangers of drink. Anyway back to a pleasant luncheon and a dram of Jura...

...Cheers "responsible seakayaker", slàinte mhòr!

Please see below for comments and also Ian's post on his blog with comments also.

 It was now time to return to the waiting boats as...

 ...yet more snow showers gathered ...

...round the loch but at least the...

...wind slowly dropped away.

As the clouds gathered, the only clear sky was to the east through the "tunnel" of Glen Tarbert. The sun was shining on Sgorr nam Fiannaidh 967m some 35 km distant. Its sunlit slopes acted as a beacon and guided us safely home, through the darkening skies and snow showers of Loch Sunart.

After saying goodbye to Simon and Liz, Ian Mike and I drove back to Corran where the ferry was crossing Loch Linnhe from the Lochaber side.

After a short ferry crossing and drive we arrived back at the Ballachuilish Hotel for a hot bath, an excellent meal and several pints of sports recovery drinks.

At only 20 kilometres this was a short trip but we felt we had made the most of an unpromising winter day and had enjoyed great company.

25 comments:

  1. I consider myself well warned Douglas.

    Anyone who feels their life is endangered by our irresponsible example should steer well clear of a rinse of mouthwash when brushing their teeth - which will have more alcohol in it than the tiny measures we enjoy!

    And the Jura tastes better too......

    :o)

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  2. OMG health and safety runs amok in the sea kayak community. Maybe we shouldn't go out in winter at all? In fact maybe we should restrict ourselves to the club pool night that would cut a lot of navigation and tidal risks. Responsible sea kayaker?? What a kill joy. Cheers Rob (make mine a Jura too!).

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  3. As an impressionable sea kayaker I have to admit that I have been deeply influenced by Douglas's and Ian's luncheon tastes. I used to drink Jack Daniels but now I enjoy the delights of Jura, Talisker and Dalmore. Cheers, Jim :-)

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    1. Glad to have been of some influence Jim :o)

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  4. I don't drink alcohol when sea kayaking, I don't drink alcohol when not sea kayaking. I'm a avid reader of this blog, but it's never made me think I should start drinking alcohol! I would think there was probably more danger of not been able to fit in your kayak from the number of luncheons you enjoy ;-)

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  5. There is a good word for responsible sea kayaker. Spielverderber! What is Scotland without a little whisky? Douglas and Ian I enjoy both your blogs for showing safe sea kayaking in your wonderful country. I return in June and I hope we may meet (Douglas we met before on the south coast of Ulva) Cheers also, Hans.

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    1. Thanks Hans, let us now when you are coming :o)

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  6. Hi again Douglas - "Responsible Sea Kayaker" has popped up on my blog too!

    http://mountainandseascotland.blogspot.co.uk/2015/02/in-bleak-midwinter-hearts-of-oak-on.html

    I'm so ashamed of myself - I' think I'm away to sit on the naughty step.......

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    1. Hi Ian yes that was the same post I got this morning. Yes I am away to pour myself a Jura and sit in the naughty corner too.

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  7. Thanks everyone Cheers! Douglas :o)

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  8. Douglas and Ian please carry on with your wonderful blogging enriched by tales of your legendary luncheons in some of the most beautiful parts of Scotland. I have been TT for almost half my life now but I never feel endangered by reading your blogs. Neither do I sense that you are a danger to yourselves or others by taking a small nip of whisky with your luncheon. Please luncheon on as before. Alex :-)

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  9. Skål, as we say in Norwegian, a tiny glass of anti freeze is not any bad sign of a fellow kayaker.
    Cheers Rolf ;ø)

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  10. Whisky and Kayak gang tegither, to quote the great Robert Burns. People commenting in such way need to have a nanny
    around at all times, be it in person or a caring government, that takes the burden off thinking and responsibilty from their week shoulders. Douglas, keep on the good work for the things we love most!!!

    Frank

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  11. To "Responsible Kayaker" .. Did you hear the one about the alcohol drinking kayaker who capsized and shouted.." Bottoms Up " ? !!!

    Phil :-)

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    1. Very good Phil, one of the kayaks down at the Solway has PTO painted on the bottom!

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  12. Hello Responsible Seakayaker, I cannot remember having consumed any alcohol on any trips with Douglas or Ian but in truth I cannot remember many other details either. Cheers David.

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  13. Hi Douglas, responsible sea kayaker is talking bolloks. It sounds like RSK is the sorst of person who buys a magazine to be told which are the safest clothes pegs to buy! Cheers Robert :-)

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    1. Thank you Robert, That raised a smile!

      Douglas

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