Ian, Mike and myself met at
Carsaig Bay on the west coast of Argyll on the morning of Tuesday 19th April 2016. Our original intention had been to set off on the preceding weekend but we are not masochists and it was so windy that many of the ferries were not operating on the Monday.
You can follow
Ian's account starting here for the full sea kayaking stereovision experience.
We set off as the tide was flooding northwards.
The Paps of Jura (27km away to the SW) rose above the headland guarding the south side of Carsaig Bay.
As we emerged from Carsaig Bay we caught sight of the low north end of Jura stretching away to the bulk of its northern neighbour the isle of Scarba. Our destination was the
Gulf of Corryvreckan which lies between the two.
A very light breeze got up which...
...filled our sails as we paddle sailed straight across the Sound. In the hour of the crossing the tide carried us 5km up the coast of Jura where we...
...made landfall at
Port Ban Mhic-a-Phi. After our keels kissed the pale cobbles of the beach we stepped onto the ground of the hallowed isle of Jura, spiritual and actual home of the Jura Superstition which we carried in case of emergencies.
Nice to see you back out on the water again Douglas. Jura looks a fantastic island with a great coastline but I've only explored less than 10 percent of it on foot from the land. Far better visiting the coastline by kayak I suspect for those with sea going experience. Hopefully, I'll be getting my own out soon but only for easy day trips on sheltered waters.
ReplyDeleteThank you Bob, I was not well over the winter but am recovered now. Jura really is incredible. I look forward to hearing about your own adventures on the water.
DeleteLooking forward to this adventure, Douglas! A "hallowed isle", and the "Jura Superstition"? Hmmm...perhaps we should inquire about a locum there. ;) Warm wishes from us both.
ReplyDeleteThank you Duncan and Joan, fortunately we saw no wickermen there and although there are lords on Jura, none (as far as I know, have the pyrotechnic tendencies of Lord Summerisle. :0)
DeleteNice to see you're back paddling and posting your awesome pictures. There must be Jurassic rocks exposed there to use the place name for the period?
ReplyDeleteTony :-)
Thank you Tony, glad to be back! For the duration of our trip the durable Jurassic rocks of Jura penetrated the dura mater of our brains.
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