Messing about on the Ness

As part of my Level 2 coaching, I have to be able to coach in an open boat as well as my trusty sea kayak.  Getting the necessary experience to do this is not always easy.  Fortunately for me, I have happened upon several people who are in a similar situation so today my friends from Strathpeffer and I went into Inverness for a muck about  in canoes around the canal basin.

As you may have gathered, recently it has been rather cold around here and we were stuck with a bit of a problem when we arrived at Muirtown…. There is water under there, honest

A plan B was duly formed and we made our way to the ‘Banana’ Bridge over the River Ness.  Here there are lots of little islands, some very small rapids and some sheltered water.

We started the day with a bit of ferrygliding back and forth across the river to get our sea boater selves back into the swing of these funny one bladed craft.  We then headed down river a little way, breaking out into a sheltered area where we could practice our skills. Inside and outside pivot turns

There were lots of different streams around the island here and we found an area under a small bridge maybe 8m across where we could safely practise our ferrygliding again.  This time we thought we’d try a spot in reverse which was fun but a little frustrating!  After a while, the light began to fade so we made our way about 500m down stream.  Where another stream met the main channel, we played around with ferrygliding the rougher water.  I really enjoyed that!

Landing after a couple of hours (in the dark!), we all thought we’d had a productive afternoon and of course, had managed to get a few more open boat hours under our belts to add to those logbooks.  I may be converted yet……. Jimmy the Super Micra carries 16’ canoe!

Oh and before I forget – of course my Santa hat made another appearance!

Chanonry Sunshine

Through my paddling adventures, I have had the opportunity to meet and make friends with many lovely people and so today I went paddling with a couple of them who live near the parental abode.
 Friends in front of a brooding sky

They were kind enough to lend me a boat, thus giving me a chance to try something different.  There had been talk of use of my very, very favourite type of kayak, a speedy(!) Perception Carolina but due to large spraydeck issues, I was lent a Valley Aquanaut LV instead.  What a shame!  (Sorry Carolina owners – I jest).
 
Santa in a big boat!

The Aquanaut LV is a good foot longer than my own Avocet at 17’1”.  Despite its length, it was still a really nice fit, a little higher above the hips perhaps, but excellent connectivity still.  I have struggled with some longer boats in the past, but I think the combination of low volume and snug Valley outfitting meant the boat’s length was a definite advantage, rather than a hindrance.  It’d be nice to try something like this again in a stronger wind or bigger seas or perhaps fully loaded for a camping trip.
 Chanonry Point – It is so bracing!

We set out from Chanonry Point on the Moray Firth where there was a decided chill in the SW breeze.  As we left the point, we saw two MAD people going for a swim (or a paddle at least!).  Thankfully wrapped up in our drysuits and pogies, we made our way from the point over to a red port buoy where we could see the 2 knots of tide flowing through the firth.  We then headed along the coast, taking the opportunity for a little rock hopping along the way.
The tide flows past the port can The coastline on a sunny winter’s day Neil rockhops

We landed on a small beach for a spot of lunch but didn’t hang around too long since despite the sun, there was a real chill in the air and our hands were soon cold.  We decided that we’d just head back along the coast towards Rosemarkie.  There was further opportunity for a brief rockhop, before pausing at the beach.  We then headed back across to the lighthouse as the poorer weather began to roll in from the west.  We landed to an audience of camera wielding onlookers and were packed up and on our way before dark.
Coastline by Rosemarkie
Eleanor lands as the sun begins to set My best guess at our route – my E-trex is at home! (Or is it!!!)

I decided to try out my pogies today and found them to be excellent in such a bitter breeze.  They were a little tricky to get on and teeth regularly had to be employed to pull on the left one.  There was a tiny bit of seepage into the pogie from the shaft but nothing unpleasant and this probably helped to keep my hands at a nice temperature!  I found if I got most of my hand through the top of the fleece lining, my fingers could move easily around the paddle shaft inside the pogie, the pogie itself not being restrictive at all.  They also seemed very warm very quickly, even after putting them on after lunch.  I think these have to get a 9 out of 10!
Palm River Tec Pogies lying out to dry

Will this be the last appearance of my awful famous hat?  Is this really the last paddle of 2009?  Your guess is as good as mine! 
And I told my friend his hats were silly…..

Yule (b)log

Happy Christmas everyone!  I hope Santa was good to you.

I’m waiting for my Christmas dinner at the moment and staying a safe distance from the kitchen – it appears to be safer that way.

Today, it is a glorious sunny day in the Highlands of Scotland with barely a breath of wind.  Oh to be kayaking!!  The weather at home in Orkney also looks pretty good and I hope someone is taking advantage of it.  I hope it lasts until New Year so I can get out then too.

Looking out from the garden this morning

It’s really lovely here at the moment, even to be sat indoors looking out.  Tomorrow there are plans to get out on the water, to Chanonary Point to see the dolphins.  The forecast currently suggests a light Sou’westerly, cold, but sunny  - I hope it stays that good.

Snug toes in my bargain boots!

Through Fresh Eyes

Under a degree of sufferance due to bad weather and general inertia, today I finally made the annual pilgrimage to the parental home for Christmas.  It’s not that I didn’t want to go but I was quite happy where I was!

Anyway, upon arrival at Stromness, where, despite my decided dithering, I was second in the ferry queue, it was a lovely, lovely day.  For the first time in ages, I was drawn out of the car to look at and photograph the surroundings.  I felt like a tourist!  Maybe it was the snow, maybe it was my mood but there was something special about today.

Boats berthed in Stromness Harbour with snow covered Hoy behind

The Hamnavoe arrives from Scrabster

Stromness

Winter light on Brinkies Brae

Hoy
The boat made its way out of Stromness and through Hoy Sound which again got me thinking of Things I should be doing 2010.  I have paddled across Hoy Sound, but never from Stromness to the west coast.  From the boat I got a great view of The best paddle ever and fantastic looking 100m cliffs of Black Craig.  Further north I could see Yesnaby which looked miniscule in comparison.  I will paddle there next year!

Black Craig, Billia Croo energy testing zone is to the right

Looking back through Hoy Sound to Ward Hill
Mackayak gave me a lovely Xmas present of a framed picture of Yesnaby, perfectly matched to the colour scheme of my recently (and still not finished) decorated bedroom.  I think she knew I would look at it every morning and every night just yearning to be down there  amongst the swell.

Beautiful picture of Yesnaby
Busy trying to take pictures of The best paddle ever in an increasing northerly swell, I got a bit of a shock when I looked to the other side of the boat and saw Hoy looming above me.  This is of course Quite Possibly an Even Better Best Paddle Ever and is somewhere I would love to go but which is always intimidating.  Maybe it’s because going there means commitment.  Maybe it’s the stories you hear of the tides and sea of the area.  Maybe it’s the thought of the highest cliffs in Britain.  Maybe it won’t be next year, but one day I will paddle along that marvellous coastline.
 
Looking past St John’s Head to the Old Man of Hoy
St John’s Head

The Old Man of Hoy in low winter sun
Upon arrival at Scrabster, it was on to the part of the journey I didn’t want to do, the drive to Inverness.  I have driven further I know, but in my mind it gets further and further away every time I have to do it.  The weather in the highlands was as wintery as Orkney, if not more so and I was worried whether the roads would be OK.  As it was, apart from a lot of slush and a few slidey bits, all was fine.

 

Thick snow at the parental home

Now all I have to do is get back to Orkney again……

Plans afoot

It's not even Christmas yet, never mind New Year but already a list of Things I Should Be Doing 2010 is forming.  This is slightly thwarted by the You only have 15 days of holiday left problem.

The year planner (which hides that awful vinyl wallpaper)

So what's on the cards?

February- Visiting Brittany for best friend's 30th birthday and not planning any kayaking at all, oh no, would I do that?  Would I email these guys in bad french in order to fulfil my 'if it has sea I must paddle on it' aims? 

Brittany coastline (Northern Kayaker begins to salivate!)

April - 4* training at Skyak.  Oh dear!

More of this I think!

June - Level 2 assessment at Glenmore Lodge (ha!).  If I can ever get through the paper work.

More practice at coaching needed!

July - Shetland Sea Kayaking Symposium which I would not miss this for the world!

Fine Shetland paddling

       - My own 30th birthday, everyone is invited to Westray and I'm going kayaking!

Scaun Arch, north coast of Westray, I will paddle it yet!

But, I think in order to fulfil all these ambitions, several things need to happen:

1) I land a dream job that involves half as much work for twice the money
2) I win the lottery and am free to be both rich and lazy
3) I find a rich husband (actually any husband would do!) who is willing to indulge my kayaking whims.
4) In a bizarre act, someone decides to pay me to go paddling......

Somehow, I don't think any of these pigs are going to fly.  Back to the drawing board then......