Outer Hebrides Expedition 2013...

OK then, some of you may remember this little dream from last year & that was put on hold due to lack of finances. This year however the weather is looking grim at the moment. I've got four weeks to do this, I'm in Cardiff at the moment & theres no point heading North yet due to the weather, in fact Wednesday is forecast for 35 mile an hour winds, I could do without that!
At the moment I'm looking to start this coming Thursday, I'm itching to get going so hopefully the weather will be kind, Pweeeeease :)

So whats the plan you may be wondering? Well its to circumnavigate the main bulk of the Outer Hebrides, about 350 miles. I will start from the ferry terminal at Barra in the south & paddle clockwise till I return to the start line about three weeks later? Who knows, I ain't expecting plain sailing on this trip, big sea's, big swells & pretty remote. Fingers crossed :)

Come Hell Or High Water...

Having recently got back from a rather long road trip I took the time to look through my blog & can't believe just how much I've done in the last couple of months let alone the year.
Without doubt the highlight for me has to be completing my solo navigation of the beautiful Welsh coastline.

So this brings me to the question of what to do next year?
I've been here before, the nervous anticipation of announcing a paddle that's going to set my nerves on edge though ultimately bring wonderful memories.

Back in 2010 I set myself the challenge of paddling out to & around Flat Holm Island whilst wearing a wedding dress. Not a huge challenge but I was much less experienced back then & I was very nervous of the challenge.
This year I challenged myself again with what seemed a crazy dream to paddle right around the Welsh Coast. I remember sitting at the computer grinning & thinking 'shit, now you've done it' as I clicked the 'make live' button on my charity web page.

So here I am again, apprehensive & wondering if I'm biting off more than I can chew?
But isn't that the point of life, to live by our memories & learn from our experiences. Better to live with a little fear than stagnate though life never experiencing it wonders. Live life for the moment & run like hell from the bailiffs when the time comes.

So what is it I got in mind? Well if you haven't recognised the image above then its the outer Herbrides. I'm thinking of circumnavigating the main chunk running from the Butt of lewis in the North down as far South as Berneray, around 300 miles.
Its still very much in the planning stage at the moment but the idea seems sound enough. I'm hoping to have a paddling partner or two on this expedition & have asked a couple of friends if they fancy it, so I'll see how that pans out. They were interested but agreeing dates is an interesting challenge & I know that not everyone has such a flexible work-life as me. I'll keep my fingers crossed as it'll be wonderful to share such an experience with friends not to mention having someone to tell me to get out of the tent & go paddle when its a bit choppy :)

I now need to look at the access & exit points & do some research into the tidal flows around the Islands. As always the weather is likely to be an issue & I'm concerned about surf landings on the west coast, especially as I'm planning on doing the trip around mid March. The tidal flows in the Sound of harris look interesting too & will need some thought.

So here we go again, that dreaded moment when I click the 'make live' button :)

Skerry Hopping Heaven...

After a few day's off from kayaking & with work to do back in Cardiff I had to decide wether to return home or continue with my adventure?

Well, what would you do?

After scanning the map & the sea kayak guide book & a bit of scheming I decided to head to Armadale & get the ferry across to Mallaig as there was an amazing spot that I know but have never kayaked. 

Time to tick another dream destination off my wish list :)

Heading Towards Mallaig...

Hope Myvanwy Doesn't Get Sea Sick... 

Goodbye To Skye...

I did say it was an amazing spot. Traigh Beach near to Arisaig, there's a paddle in the guidebook but I'm gonna do it a little different. It'll take longer to reach the Skerries at Loch Nan Ceall from my launch point but my journey will be all the more wonderful for it.

 That's Eigg you can see in the far distance.

Not the best footage & certainly not up to the gratuitous Beaver shot in 'basic instinct' but it really made my day none the less.
What you cant see is the huge fish almost as big as the beaver that the beaver dragged up onto the skerry to eat & all the time there was a curious harbor seal watching behind me.

This place is friggin awesome!

Quick Pee On A Skerry...

 It was a little bouncier on the West side of the Skerries.

And wonderfully calm on the East side though the South Easterly wind was quite brisk.

Looking Towards Eigg In The Distance...

Skerries Everywhere...

If there wasn't a chill in the air you'd be forgiven for thinking this was the Caribbean.

Heading back through the maze of skerries, in fact with the wind strongly on my back I just popped the skeg down & gently drifted my way through trying to get a good shot of the numerous harbor Seals. Put it this way, I'm gonna get a new camera, bloody shit focusing when zoomed :(

 Back at Traigh Beach & looking forward to a cuppa.

Return to Bracadale...

Tuesday morning saw me return to Camas Ban on Loch Bracadale. With only two out of three Islands visited last time it left me with unfinished business.

The forecast was good today but I kinda knew to expect lively conditions on the South side of Wiay as its vertical butrusses stood tall against South Westerly wind.
In the lee of the Islands the waters were still & only stirred from their slumber further offshore.

Moments after this image I was treated to a fleeting glimpse of a Sea Eagle, its distinctive white tail giving away its identity. What a treat!

Looking Between Harlosh Island & The Mainland...

Harlosh Skerry...

Harlosh Skerry...

Wiay coming into view as I round the tip of Harlosh Island. It got a little choppier on the south side as the sea started to feel the wind. Some playful clapotis kicked out some waves that gave a gentle surf away from the cliffs.

 Looking back from Camas Na Cille on Wiay after an uneventful crossing.

Leaving the calm of Camas Na Cille I'm a little apprehensive as I've a good idea what to expect on the South side, I'm always a little more cautious when paddling solo but I still like to play.

Yep, kinda what I was expecting. It was like crossing a busy road nearer the South cliffs with waves coming from both directions. It certainly wasn't huge, just lively & I was enjoying myself.

Rock-hopping heaven though its a little too bouncy to pop my skirt & get my helmet out, (Oooer, suits you sir!).

Better not capsize with no helmet on. I rode a swell through & made a lovely scraping sound as I slid over a shallow rock :O
Good job My kayaks plastic.

 Island number three, Tarner Island.

I decide to skip the usual beach landing & look for a rock on the North side to land on.

This'll do, not a rock as it's part of the Island but a good a place as any for a coffee.

Feeling very happy with my day's adventure I head back to my van to put my feet up :)

Distance 9.5 Nautical Miles (11 Statute)...

The 'Wee' Islands...

Todays Adventure will be brought to you with the word 'Wee' & the letters L & P

I really could of done with a chill out after my 5 star training but with the unseasonal good weather on Skye it would be very rude not to make the most of it.

I had a few ideas of places I wanted to paddle, all of them involving Wee Islands.
I was camped at the beach at Harrapool in the morning & trying to decide where to go? It was near enough high water, wonderfully calm, my van was only a few feet from the waters edge & there were plenty of Wee Islands in the distance. Well, what would you do? Seemed little point changing location so I got the kayak off the roof & got ready to go.

 The plan was to paddle out to Pabay Island,

 & then onto & around Longay.

Approaching the South East tip of Pabay.

Northern end of Pabay.

 Time for a Wee break, literally :)

Longay in the distance.

Approaching Longay.

North Eastern end of Longay.

The Northern end of Longay with Scalpay (right) & just under the mountain Guillamon Island.

Looking back at Longay.

A Wee coffee break on a Wee skerry just off Pabay with Longay in the distance.
It was a lovely peaceful spot save for some splashing that turned out to be four curious seal's.

The sun was really bright & in my face for the return to the mainland & I had no idea which way to go? I could of just paddled back & hand-railed my way to my camp spot but chose to practice my map reading.
I found my location from taking bearings from the surrounding mountains & used this to get a bearing from the map, simples :)

A bloody fab day out with amazing scenery & two new Wee Islands for me. Brilliant!

Taran's Adventure was brought to you today with the word 'Wee' & the letters L & P...

Todays route - 10 Nautical Miles (11.5 Statute)