The great Gargoyle, the tides and eddies of the Mull of Kintyre

The tide swept us round the rocks below the Mull of Kintyre lighthouse at 12km/hour. There was a difference in water level on either side of this rock so definitely no turning back!


Looking back we could just make out the foghorn and lighthouse above the Dug's Lugs rock. It was a surreal and spooky voyage with strange rocks looming out of the mist at us.


Then the Great Gargoyle of the Mull of Kintyre reared up above us. Seafarers are a superstitious lot and our minds were working overtime thinking of all the lost souls that had come to grief in this treacherous spot.


The stalwarts of the DCKC disappeared over the horizon leaving Tony and I to grapple with the demons of the Fog!


We decided to flee out into the safety of tidal race just as the mist began to lift..



We paddled out 500m into the race. We were off the Mull 3 hours after the inshore tide had started to flow SE. As we left the waters close under the rocks, we hit a counter eddy flowing NW. This was also flowing at 12 km/hour. We then ventured further out and hit another SE stream also flowing at 12km/hr at 400 to 500m offshore. The eddy fences were razor sharp. God knows what kind of a maelstrom this would be like on a windy day. Sensible kayakers would leap right into the arms of the Gargoyle!

26/07/2008

Shaggy dogs on Eilean Imersay, Islay

The SE coast of Islay is a maze of reefs and islands. Some of the channels dry out as the tide recedes like this one inside Eilean Mhic Mhaolmhoire.


After a short drag we were afloat again.


Another maze of channels announced our arrival at Eilean Imersay.


We enjoyed second breakfast on this idyllic beach on Eilean Imersay.



David entertained the male members of the party with a series of shaggy dog stories (he is a vet, raconteur and bon viveur). Mair hung her head in despair at how easily the male mind is amused.

13/07/2008

Losts in the mists of the Mull of Kintyre

Tony and I were not the only ones rounding the Mull of Kintyre. Quite independently, Rab, Julia and Donald from the Drumchapel and Clydebank Kayak Club hit on exactly the same itinerary and timing as us!


Although the coast of the Mull of Kintyre is almost beach less, there are large areas of sand below low water. They gave the water a lovely luminous green hue.


There are actually two caves at...


....Uamh Ropa.


The heavy rain of the night before was cascading down from the heights above the mist and plunging into the sea.


Tony attempts to plot our position in the thick mist. Alternatively, keep the Mull close to on the port bow!

26/07/2008