A calm between the storms

I am still down at the Solway trying to rehabilitate my leg muscles after recent knee problems. It is not a hardship as, despite the wettest summer in 100 years, some days do dawn fair... 

 ...there have been good days for sea kayaking, such as this glorious mid October day.

 I set off for the Isles of Fleet yet again...

 ...and soon passed Murray's Isles with their...

 ...ruined pilot and customs house and...

interesting geological strata.

A lonely shore on the Solway.

 I took a break on lonely Knockbrex beach which is guarded by its folly.

 The sun and southerly wind were surprisingly warm so...

 ...,despite being early October, I went for a (quick) swim. The crowds of summer are long gone and I enjoyed the peace of this beautiful place on my own.

 Then it was time to catch the wind for a brisk paddle back...

 ...to the delightful beach of Smuggler's Cove where I launch.

Yet another ace Solway day.

Big skies in the Solway.

 As I paddled south out of Fleet Bay, Ardwall Isle and...

 ...Murray's Isles lay under an amazing skyscape of clouds.

 The combination of sun, wind and a lively sea...

 ...made for some amazing rockhopping on the outer reefs.

I was on my own with not another boat insight as I rounded the southernmost reef of Barlocco Isle and...

...hoisted my sail to make my way north again in more sheltered waters.

All calm at dawn on the Solway.

 Last Thursday dawned with light winds...

 ...and clear skies.

 However the forecast was for force 4 to 5 winds to kick in from the SW by early afternoon.

Perfect conditions to set off to the south with a sail strapped to the deck!

Last swim at the end of the Solway summer.

 From Knockbrex we paddled upwind to Craigmore Point, which allowed us to hoist  sails and...

 ...close reach back to our start point on the far side of Fleet Bay.

There was time for a quick swim before barbecue time. I have been swimming each day since the end of July and the water temperature has been 16 degrees C for most of September. At 16 degrees I can stay in for about 40 minutes (this was 21/9/2012) but since then the sea temperature has dropped to 14 degrees and I just managed a couple of minutes before I just had to get out as the cold gripped me. I was surprised that "only" 2 degrees C made so much difference. This is of direct relevance to sea kayaking as if you now fall in (and are not suitably dressed) you will be quickly paralysed by the cold. The north and east coasts of Scotland are even colder.

 As the evening shadows lengthened...

 ...and the moon rose after sunset, it seemed summer would last forever. Sadly the deepest low pressure system to hit the UK in September was about to arrive. Three days later we had 29mm of rain in 24 hours and strong winds have blown ever since.

Another fine paddle in Fleet Bay.

Three priapic pillars of Knockbrex.

After rounding Barlocco Isle, Tony and I took a break on the sands of Knockbrex beach, which comes complete with a...

... "Coo Palace". This Galloway term describes a folly, which in this case is not the castle it appears to be but was actually built as a boathouse and beach changing room for Knockbrex House which...

...is nearby. There is a hidden harbour behind this second castellated building.

These three priapic pillars sit in the middle of Knockbrex Bay and have long stood as navigational markers for the hidden harbour beyond. Sadly, the one on the right is drooping a little.

Amazing clarity of vision from the Solway reefs.

 With the sails up in the NE wind...

 ...Tony and I made rapid progress towards Murray's Isles.

 Soon we rounded the rocks at their western point and...

 ...slipped below the old cottage that was once used by pilots and excise men. The window in the gable end allowed them to keep an eye on the horizon for approaching ships. The isle was now devoid of the colonies of breeding cormorants and gulls that had nested here from April until early August.

 The reefs of the smaller Murray's Isle soon slipped...

 ...astern as we made across the mouth of Fleet Bay towards...

 ...the reefs of Barlocco Isle. After all the recent rainfall the atmosphere was exceptionally clear and we were able to see as far (51km) as St Bees Head in Cumbria on the English side of the Solway Firth.

On the SW side of Barlocco there is a maze of rocky channels in which to spend time trying to thread a way through.