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.

Sail sale at Kari-tek.

David sailing a 0.8sqm classic version of the Flat Earth kayak sail.

From the number of emails I get on the subject and the number of people asking me questions at the SCA Perth Canoe Show last month, I know a lot of you are thinking of trying sea kayak sailing. Well although they don't have it on their web site, Kari-tek have a very special offer on the classic versions of the Flat Earth kayak sail.

All sizes of the classic sail are now reduced to £124 (original prices varied from £200 to £260, depending on size.)

Although the classic sail has now been replaced by the Code Zero version, I think the classic version is highly suitable for new comers to sea kayak sailing as it is a bit less powerful and more forgiving than the Code Zero due to having a flatter cut and more twist in the head. This is particularly helpful when learning in the predominantly gusty winds we get round the UK coasts.

You will still need to buy a two piece mast at £55 and a fitting kit. The Kari-tek fitting kit is suitable for most people and costs £70. If you are interested in going on to sail in stronger winds, you might want to look at the way I fit the sails and buy your own fittings, in which case you just need the mast and the mast foot base plate from Kari-tek.

Happy kayak sailing!

A two of your five portions a day stop.

 From Culzean Castle we paddled south towards...

... Port Carrick and its sheltering reefs. In the distance Turnberry lighthouse stood on the far side of Maidenhead Bay.

 Inside the reef all was calm and...

 ...it made a great place to stop for third luncheon.

 Phil had brought a flask of coffee and two of his Five a Day portions of fruit and veg.

As we shared one of Phil's portions, we enjoyed the view as gentle waves washed through the reef.

Between a rock and a hard place.

 Eventually we got into the lee of the cliffs and continuing close inshore...

 ...we paddled in calm conditions with Ailsa Craig on one side and...

 ...the old gas house at Culzean on the other. The gas house was completed in 1878 and supplied coal gas for lighting...

  ...Culzean Castle until 1901 when it was converted to produce acetylene gas. This was used to light the castle until 1947 when its new owners, the National Trust for Scotland, finally installed electricity.

The castle had been the seat of the Kennedy family for centuries. Increasing costs made it hard for the castle and estate to remain in private ownership. It was finally handed over to the NTS in 1945 by the widow of the 4th Marquis and the 5th Marquis and it is now open to the public. It is always a great part of a trip on this coast when we are paddling below its walls.