Arran Paddler.

On Wednesday it rained, and it rained some more, then it rained again. I know because this was the first day of a 3 day trip from Arran up towards Bute, but by Thursday night the weather was just great and all was forgotten, the tent was dry again and watching the sun set over Kintyre made the journey work out fine. Funny thing our summer weather....... This was to be a trip with company but what with one thing and another it ended up just myself, we where going to do a round Arran trip but solo I could get in a journey that has taken my fancy for a while now. So on a rainy morning peering out over the Clyde with everything grey I hit the water at 9am with a rough plan to head up the coast and out across to Inchmarnock. With enough food and water for 3 days the boat was heavy, the forecast said improving to dry, hope so..... I launched at the north side of Brodick bay at the end of the road to my house, this was to be as simple a journey as possible with little costs. The firs...

The weather forecast:    South East Force 6, heavy rain.            Work cancelled. Perfect! Grieg and I headed to Pladda for some gnarly paddle play. Not a force 6 to start, we launched at the Yellow Port out into 1m waves and surf and maybe a force 4.  Staying off to the west to keep out of the flat water downwind of the Island we moved south and then across the causeway around to the east side into sheltered seas. Great place to get in some rolling practice before heading out into the big seas at the exposed south side of Pladda . The south side of the Island is rocky and unforgiving in strong onshore winds, large breaking surf onto the rough shore leaves us with a sense of caution and awe. Not a place to go swimming. Reflected waves mix with the wind waves and the sea gets chaotic and big with the wind rising. 2m waves with some breaking tops give us a great thrilling time, try as I might the photos...

Had a great trip at the weekend there with a friend across to try sea kayaking out for real. Mark is from the borders and a 'canoe' man, I hope to get across and try a river trip at the end of the season with him. Sunny and breezy so no midges and perfect for camping! We packed the kayaks and launched at Merkland to head up the coast, no rush, plenty of time to fish for some mackerel and play in the waves. White water waves and strong sun left us enjoying the sea at its best. Stopped at North Glen Sannox for a lunch break as the tide reached its lowest and stood at the mouth of the river we where surprised to see Mullet just feet from us with there fins and tails breaking the surface in the shallow water. Plenty of birds where spotted on the shore as we passed by, Eider ducks with young, Cormorants diving and the Oyster Catchers patrolling the seas edge. The local Swan pair have 4 chicks this year, we kept well clear of these great birds though! We stopped to pitch c...