Packing the IKEA bags at the Largs checkout.

All too soon, our sojourn on Little Cumbrae came to an end and it hadn't cost us a penny. It got quite bumpy with an exciting few moments crossing the east end of the Tan. Then the wind dropped completely as we made our way up the Hunterston Channel past the ore terminal...

 ...to Largs.

Then it was time to pack the IKEA bags and make our way home.

With as much aplomb as possible in a public place.

One of the great problems of sea kayaking is trying to look cool in all the gear required to survive the Scottish winter. Simon has done a passable job except for that necessary evil, the spray skirt. I call it a skirt not to beat about the bush (as some commentators do) and call it a "spray deck".

What a euphemism but even in Scotland, land of the kilt, we are usually adverse to calling it a skirt. To Simon's great credit he is wearing his with as much aplomb as possible in a public place.

I think his mugshot sums it up rather well.

The tale of Wee Cumby.

One of the great joys of sea kayaking is the second luncheon. We gather round on the rocks at the top of the beach, often under the walls of an ancient castle, and share stories of past expeditions while we eat. On this particular stop, on Little Cumbrae island, we were joined by the local pack of assorted hungry hounds. They are clearly doing well on visiting sea kayakers as their number has recently increased from four to five. No sooner had Phil opened his sandwiches than...

...pleading eyes caused the good natured Phil to donate half his luncheon to such needy canine creatures. He then escaped up to the castle to enjoy what little sustenance he had left.

He was not quick enough. This little fellow (Wee Cumby, the pack's latest arrival) spotted an opportunity and ran expectantly after Phil, just as fast as his little legs could carry him.

However, Phil was not to be parted from his few remaining crumbs. He was resolute. "Back to your mother" he commanded.

Wee Cumby obediently (but hungrily) made his way back to the beach. His ears were back and his tail was between his legs.

Little Cumbrae island is now private. At £5 each, that'll be £35 then.

As we pulled into our usual spot between Little Cumbrae and Castle Island a new sign greeted our arrival. It had appeared since our last visit in the spring.

"Private Island. 

Landing Fee Applies £5 per person 

Island Manager : 07900886689 

No Littering No Fires Permitted". 

A man (who I had not seen on previous visits) made his way down to the shore to meet us with a pack of five barking dogs (the dogs are very friendly). He was standing underneath the sign and two of us approached him and attempted to engage in conversation by admiring the new pup, which had been born since our last visit. He remained uncommunicative and we did not offer to pay.

We retired to our usual picnic spot on the shore below the castle and the man watched us for about 10 minutes before making his way back to the houses on Little Cumbrae. As we have never made a habit of paying landing fees, I wrote to the North Ayrshire Access Officer enquiring about the legality of the sign and demand for money. I will update when I get a reply.

The lee of Little Cumbrae.

 Once we had rounded the south end of the Little Cumbrae we found ourselves...

 ...in its wind shadow. The view behind us stretched from the skerries of the Little Cumbrae over...

 ...the Sound of Bute to the mountains of Arran beyond.

Ahead lay the ancient stones of Little Cumbrae castle. It looked like the ideal place for a peaceful stop and second luncheon...

The two towers of Little Cumbrae.

Situated on a raised beach on the west coast of Little Cumbrae...

...the beautiful 1793 lighthouse stands in a magnificent position though sadly, its lantern house been empty since 1997...

...when it was replaced by the small concrete box which stands below it.

Whatever, it was a magnificent situation and I let the...

 ...others get ahead of me to savour the remoteness of the place alone for a while...

...before hoisting my sail to catch up.

A tan in weak winter sunshine.

A fair wind meant those with sails enjoyed some excellent paddle sailing down the west coast of Great Cumbrae.

Gradually the south end of Bute opened up and revealed an...

...unobstructed view to Arran...

...as we approached the south end...

 ...of Great Cumbrae.

In the weak winter sunshine, our little group set off across the waters of the Tan, the channel which divides the Great and the Little Cumbrae Islands.

As we approached the bold outline of the Little Cumbrae, its dark shaded cliffs contrasted with the lighter hues of Holy Island and Arran beyond.

Two shades of grey.

We rounded the north end of Big Cumbrae to be met by an incredible panorama of mountain and sea. Simon and...

 ...Alison have only recently taking up sea kayaking but they were both amazed by the incredible view over the south end of Bute to the distant mountains of Arran beyond.

One by one we set off in a southerly direction...

 ...along the west coast of the Big Cumbrae.

Colin's new Etain looked great with its subtle grey deck.

Unfortunately clouds of a less subtle grey gathered and obscured the sunshine just as we landed on a beach of pink sand for first luncheon.

Cue the Cumbraes!

Sunday dawned sunny with a chilly NW wind. The mountains of Arran rose above the Great Cumbrae Island but the recent snow had melted.

 Phil, Mike, Andrew, Colin,...

 ...Alison, Simon and I set off from Largs Yacht Haven...

 ...across the Largs Channel towards...

...the north end of the big Cumbrae. But first we had to wait in a queue. The ferry from Largs had beaten us to it and both the local sailing school and ourselves had to wait for the MV Loch Shira to clear the jetty.

Flirting with the maidens of Maidenhead Bay.

 At last the forecast NE breeze kicked in as...

 ...we rounded Barwin Point past the reefs and...

 ...rocky maidens that guard Maidenhead Bay.

We made such good time that we were able to land on Maidens beach and get packed up well before sunset.

Another fine trip on Ayrshire's Carrick coast.

Clearing skies over Barwhin Point.

 We slipped out of Port Carrick and...

 ...as the skies began to clear we made our way out...

...through the skerries towards...

 ...Barwhin Point and...

...gradually Ailsa Craig...

...began to dominate the horizon to the south.