The correct protocol required when greeting the Brownie of Cara

 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.

Farewell Cara, hello Jura.

 We paddled towards the south end of Gigha through a series of reefs and shallow waters.

 We took a last look at Cara, where we had spent the last two nights, before...

 ...rounding the south tip of Gigha at Slocan Leim.

We now entered the Sound of Jura and were heading north past  the grey rocks of Gigha towards...

 ....the distant Paps of Jura.

The Boathouse, Gigha

 We left Cara for the last time as...

 ...raindrops were pattering into the sea but...

 gradually the clouds lifted until by the time...

... we arrived at Gigha the sun had come out.

 We made for The Boathouse where we enjoyed a hot shower before proceeding to our...

 ...pre-booked table where, among other delights,  we enjoyed scallops and sticky pork...

 ...langoustine tails in garlic butter...

...another couple of lobsters with all the trimmings...

 ...white chocolate dessert...

...and real hot chocolate,  all washed down with draught Peroni.Yum yum. The Boathouse is one of the best sea kayaking pubs/restaurants on the west coast.

The view from the open air terrace, where we ate, was simply stunning. I suggest you visit soon.

We had a swell time on Cara.

 We awoke to find an otter fishing in the bay where...

 ...we had camped for the night. After breakfast we broke camp and loaded the kayaks under a leaden sky. As we packed we were sorry to be leaving Cara after a most enjoyable two days.

There was not a breath of wind as we paddled south along the east coast of Cara and bid our farewell to The Brownie who was no doubt observing our departure from his attic window in Cara House..

 We were bound for the Mull of Cara.

 Previous passages round the Mull have been rather lively affairs but...

 ...it was slack water and all was...

 ...calm apart from...

 ...the swell which...

 ...we met...

 ...as we rounded Cara's southerly point.

The glory of a Hebridean sunset.

 The sun was setting fast so we made our way along the beach...

 ...and over a bluebell covered hillside...

 ...to photograph the sunset over the Sound of Jura.

 The sun slowly sank into the Sound of Islay which separates

 Jura to the north and....

 Islay to the south.

We lingered long after sundown savouring the Southern Hebridean twilight until the Paps of Jura merged into the inky blackness of the night sky.

Baked potatoes at sundown on Cara.

On our return journey to Cara the sun was dipping to the north west and...

 ...the light took on a lovely warm tinge. The wind dropped which meant the midges...

 ...came out in droves. Mike kindly offered Phil some of his Avon Skin so Soft.

 We waited for the fire to produce some nice embers then put potatoes in tinfoil into their heart.

Wile the potatoes were baking, Phil went along to the other end of the beach to take photos of the sunset but...

 ...he soon came running back when he heard the...

 ...baked potatoes were ready. A little butter and salt produced a marvellous snack.

As we enjoyed our evening meal the various pebbles in the sand at our feet took on a rosy hue in the light from the setting sun....

The great voyage from Cara to Gigha!

We decided to stay for a second night on Cara as we had arrived a day earlier than intended and it was an exceedingly pleasant spot. So it did not take long to get the kayaks loaded for...

 ...the great voyage over leagues of open ocean to...

 Cara's larger neighbour, the Isle of Gigha.

 We explored rocky channels and...

 ...passed delightful sandy coves filled with turquoise crystal clear water before (after what seemed like an age) we...

 ...finally caught sight of the island's main settlement of Ardminish.

The sea front at Ardminish consists of a white shell sand cove backed by a building called the "Boathouse." After our great crossing it was time for luncheon.