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.

The Mull and mimetoliths of Cara.

The Mull of Cara is a striking piece of rock. I have been round it many times but never before in such calm weather.

 High on the shoulder of the Mull you can see Eagle Rock.

Once round the Mull we turned north up the west coast of Cara. There was a great view of the Paps of Jura over the Sound of Jura.

Near the NW of Cara, we came across a second mimetolith, Bloodhound Rock.

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....

A postprandial snooze on Gigha.

 Leaving The Boathouse we paddled out into Ardminish Bay.

 Yachts were arriving by the minute as the fair weather had encouraged them round the Mull of Kintyre.

This lovely old trawler  is Shemaron (CN244). She was built in Cockenzie in 1942 and was decommissioned in 2007.

 We were heading south again but did not get far....

 ...we spotted the ideal bay...

 ...for a postprandial snooze.

 Afterwards we explored our new environs.

 Rhododendrons were in full flower...

 ...and there were lots of beautiful sea shells...

...not to mention plenty of driftwood for the fire back on Cara.

Two lobsters, a crab, a haddock, countless langoustines and a couple of circumnavigations on Gigha.

A quick perusal of the Boathouse menu and we were persuaded to take a...

...table. Two lobsters, a crab, a haddock and countless langoustines gave up their lives for our luncheon.

We were in no hurry and while we were letting our food settle, another couple of kayakers arrived.  It is easy in these circumstances to really put your foot in it by saying something like we have come all the way from Campbeltown where have you come from?

Fortunately I simply asked Rob and Rachel where they had come from. "Devon" came the matter of fact reply. They are currently paddling round the UK raising money for SWAN UK and MacMillan Cancer Support. We wished them well as we left...

...The Boathouse and noticed that the sign had changed!