A further opinion on the Rockpool Taran 16.

So far the four members of our team who have tried the Rockpool Taran 16 have all been male with an average age of over 60! So it was time to redress the balance and Jennifer, who is in her early 30's took the Taran 16 for a fast twenty four kilometre trip down the Ayrshire coast past the Heads of Ayr. Conditions varied from flat calm to force 3.

Despite two of the less mobile older testers having problems with the cockpit length, Jennifer found no problems getting in or out and found the seat footrests and rudder pedals really suited her. She was amazed how tightly...

...the Taran 16 turned...

...with its rudder before she disappeared...

...over the horizon. The distant rear view of the Taran 16 is something I have seen too much of!

When we finally caught Jennifer, she liked everything about the Taran 16, apart from one little reservation about its looks when she first saw it. Despite that, she tested it and now she would swap her Alaw Bach for a Taran 16... like a shot!

Seakayaking desktop wallpaper calendar 2013.

I wish a very Happy New Year to all visitors to seakayakphoto.com. As way of a celebration of the last year and in anticipation of sea kayaking adventures yet to come, here is the 9th annual sea kayaking desktop wallpaper calendar from seakayakphoto.com.

As in past calendars, all the photos were taken during the previous year (2012). Despite having been retired for a year now, I have not been able to explore wide new horizons as I had once dreamed. Increasing disability has somewhat restricted  the areas in which I have managed to paddle. This year all the photos are from my local waters of the Firth of Clyde and The Solway Firth. Far from feeling sorry about this, I have felt blessed to have the freedom to enjoy exploring my own doorstep. I am so grateful for the assistance of my friends in getting me to and from the water. My daughter Jennifer chose the photos for each month of the calendar.

2013 cover shot. This is paddle sailing at its best: sun, wind, tide and big skies, on a trip round the Little Cumbrae in the Firth of Clyde.

Link to 8:5 desktop 1920 x 1200.

Link to 4:3 desktop 2048 x 1540.

January.  A cold east wind sped us from Maidens to Seafield with the snowy mountains of Arran on the far side of the Firth of Clyde.

Link to 8:5 desktop 1920 x 1200.

Link to 4:3 desktop 2048 x 1540.

February. Some gentle swell made for interesting exploration of the rock channels of Bennane Head on Ayrshire's Atlantic Coas, Firth of Clyde.

Link to 8:5 desktop 1920 x 1200.

Link to 4:3 desktop 2048 x 1540.

March. Looking back to Glen Sannox after a misty crossing of the Sound of Bute, Firth of Clyde.

Link to 8:5 desktop 1920 x 1200.

Link to 4:3 desktop 2048 x 1540.

April. Sunset in the Kilbrannan Sound, Firth of Clyde. It was dark when we reached our camp site but the experience of night slowly gathering round you on a calm night is unmissable.

Link to 8:5 desktop 1920 x 1200.

Link to 4:3 desktop 2048 x 1540.

May. Clear waters in Catacol Bay, Firth of Clyde make a great place to stop for a second breakfast.

Link to 8:5 desktop 1920 x 1200.

Link to 4:3 desktop 2048 x 1540.

June. Rounding Bennan Head on Arran, one of the impressive headlands in the Firth of Clyde.

Link to 8:5 desktop 1920 x 1200.

Link to 4:3 desktop 2048 x 1540.

July. Safe haven on a granite boulder reef at Ailsa Craig, Firth of Clyde.

Link to 8:5 desktop 1920 x 1200.

Link to 4:3 desktop 2048 x 1540.

August. Summer rain, Fleet Bay, Solway Firth.

Link to 8:5 desktop 1920 x 1200.

Link to 4:3 desktop 2048 x 1540.

September. Waiting for the tide, Isles of Fleet, Solway Firth.

Link to 8:5 desktop 1920 x 1200.

Link to 4:3 desktop 2048 x 1540.

October. Enjoying the freedom of the seas in Wigtown Bay, Solway Firth.

Link to 8:5 desktop 1920 x 1200.

Link to 4:3 desktop 2048 x 1540.

November. Taking a break in Bracken Bay, Firth of Clyde.

Link to 8:5 desktop 1920 x 1200.

Link to 4:3 desktop 2048 x 1540.

December. Seakayak sailing to Dunure with Ailsa Craig on the horizon, Firth of Clyde.

Link to 8:5 desktop 1920 x 1200.

Link to 4:3 desktop 2048 x 1540.

I hope you find something to inspire you to paddle in your local waters. Finally....

....previous years' calendars can be found here.

Savouring the smell of history below the walls of Greenan Castle

 It was getting dark as we approached the...

...dark walls of Greenan Castle...

...which seemed to grow out of the...

  ...rock upon which it has stood for centuries.

 We drifted in the shade of the castle walls for a while, savouring the smell of history*...

 ...before heading back to the present, across the darkening waters of the bay...

...towards the twinkling lights of Ayr beyond.

*maybe it was just rotting seaweed!

Don't look round...

The winter can offer opportunities for taking a break that would not be considered in summer. This beautiful, apparently lonely, bay...

 ...lies just E of the Heads of Ayr. Normally we paddle past about 1km offshore as there is an extremely large caravan site situated...

...just behind the dunes.

 So we stood with our backs to the serried ranks of closed caravans and...

 ...instead watched the fishing fleet return to their berths at Troon.

Paddling under cliffs of sandstone and basalt.

As Phil and I paddled north past the cliffs of Carlandcheek...

...it was spring HW and we were able to make our way close under the sandstone cliffs, where the Lagg Burn tumbles from its ravine into the sea.

 There was just enough room to land and stretch...

...our legs at the base of the cliffs before continuing...

... under the basalt ridges of Bower Hill and...

...the Heads of Ayr.

Enlightenment at Dunure.

Once again, Dunure provided a perfect haven to stop for...

 ...a luncheon which we took on the rocks overlooking the harbour. Afterwards we made our way to the pub, where we were detained somewhat longer than we had intended.

Our sojourn in the pub was time well spent. When we finally emerged and started paddling again the low winter sun was illuminating the underside of the clouds, it was a wonderful sight.

It was now time to press on to Ayr again past...

 ...the beautiful Carrick coastline.

Freedom and marbled skies over the Firth of Clyde.

 It was a bitterly cold day and we crunched our way through ice at the top of the beach.

 The sun rose as we passed the mouth of the River Doon.

 There was just a hint of an easterly breeze as we made our way...

 ...past the Heads of Ayr...

...which lie about 5km south west of Seafield.

It was a spring low tide and we got some extra exercise. It was a long walk up the beach at Bracken Bay to the old tree trunk, which is our favoured seat for first luncheon. This beach catches surf from the south west and it can be difficult landing here when the tide is higher. Unfortunately I was not looking where I was going and slipped on one of the slimy green rocks. My inattention led to a further painful dislocation of my knee, ouch!

 Setting off south again, the dull grey clouds slowly transformed into...

..the most amazing marbled sky. As the wind caught our sails, we experienced an incredible feeling of freedom. It took the ache away from my knee!