From Gigalum we crossed to the south end of Gigha before heading across the Sound of Cara to...
...
Port an Stoir at the north end of Cara where we intended to camp.
The east beach was occupied by some resident goats. I immediately thought of goat bhuna but we decided to land on the west beach instead.
If one lands on Cara (and especially so, if one intends to stay the night) it is a wise sea kayaker who knows the correct protocol for greeting The Brownie. It is vital to do this before doing anything else. One needs to raise one's cap then doff it in a suitably deferential manner while at the same time saying in a clear voice "Good Evening Mr. Brownie". The only acceptable variation to this protocol is to change the greeting to suit the time of day of one's arrival.
Failure to satisfy The Brownie on this matter will result in him interpreting your arrival as a serious diplomatic faux pas. All manner of mischief may then be unleashed upon your party by this unhappy spirit. Campbells need to be particularly careful as The Brownie is the spirit of a MacDonald who was murdered by a Campbell. Best advice would be to never disclose your surname on Cara. If your first name is Campbell then you must use a nickname or visit Gigha instead. The annals of Scottish sea kayaking are full of tales of The Brownie's mischief; kayaks floating away in the night, paddles being hidden in the bramble bushes, full bottles of malt whisky being emptied during the night and much, much worse.
We found a little driftwood but were glad of the barbecue coals and logs we had brought with us and soon...
...had an excellent fire going on the white shell sands of Cara. previous visitors had burned multiple fire rings in the machair.. hope the Brownie got them!
Anyway we were just thinking that life did not get better than baked sweet potatoes when...
...this amazing moon rose out of the fog on the Sound of Gigha.
