Galloway sunshine over Ardwall Isle.

It is now late in the season on the Solway Firth, the tourists have all gone and the pink footed geese have flown in from Greenland and Iceland  for the winter. A series of SE winds have lashed the coast with rain and...

...delayed the arrival of the skeins of geese and made solo kayaking less appealing. After several days of watching the seas from the shore...

 ...this day dawned dry with light force 3 winds and a hint of brightness in the sky. So I set off for the Isles once more. Although it would be a long slog into the wind, I took the sail for a fast return.

 As I approached Murray's Isles, the wind increased and I was glad of the shelter of their lee.

I didn't take any photos on the SW sides of Murray's Isles or Ardwall Isle. I had intended to go round the SW of Barlocco Isle as well but I decided to cut the trip short and head into the shelter of the channel between Ardwall and Barlocco.

Paddling north again, the wind was now a broad reach and the sea flattened in the lee of the mainland. I prepared to launch the sail as an encouraging blink of blue sky appeared. It was a false dawn...

...as I approached the east point of Ardwall, the rain started. It was only only a light spit in the air at first...

...but soon built up into a light shower which is known locally as Galloway sunshine. I quite enjoyed the feeling of isolation as the rain storm wrapped itself round the isles. As countless drops hit the sea the hiss of the rain  drowned out all other sounds. I was paddling alone with my thoughts.

 On the return leg across Fleet Bay, the rain stopped but clouds crowded in across...

...the rolling hills of Galloway and blotted out the last of the blue sky.

The front passes through.

 As the line of clouds came over the wind increased to about F4-5 but it was very gusty and backed from SSW to N then NW then SSW then back to N again! I persisted with the sail until it got too squally then I dropped it. There are no photos for the next 4km as it got too rough.

 Then as the front passed over, the sun came out again and...

 ...I sped back to the channel between Ardwall Isle and the mainland before...

 ...crossing Fleet Bay with distant Gatehouse of Fleet at its head.

 The shore team were waiting to help...

 ...get the kayak back up the beach. Then back for a tasty dinner! I have just completed a year long comparative test of the P&H Delphin 155. It will be published in Ocean Paddler magazine issue 34 in first week of November 2012. I will then post it here on seakayakphoto.com in early 2013.

This was our incredible view as...

 ...the sun went down in...

...the autumn sky.

The approaching storm...

The N wind had dropped completely by the time I arrived at the seaward side of Ardwall Isle. Looking back into Fleet Bay...

 ...dark storm clouds were gathering above the Galloway Hills.

Out on the reefs on the SW side of Barlocco Isle the sun was still shining but a SW wind was picking up...

 ...as I rounded the isle and caught sight of Ringdoo Point.

The storm clouds were now rapidly moving across the sky.

I was now in the lee of Barlocco, so I hoisted my sail and got ready for a fast ride...

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!