Last Kayaking Trip
Recently, I learnt that our close friend, Murray Young, had been trying to contact me via text, but I'd misplaced my mobile and had no idea. He'd suggested that we could 'go for a paddle'. Well, a day later, we were on our way by sea paddling towards Ganavan beach. To begin with, the conditions seemed good enough, so we enthusiastically launched. My kayaking companion is a dear friend to me, and my family as well. For example, after I'd been a victim of a Road Traffic Accident (RTA), on February 10th, 2010, Murray behaved as one of our real family... Good friends and family, are the same!
However, although we'd been out of practice for far too long, the first phase of our trip saw us paddling into quite a substantial swell and having the currents opposite to our intended course; moreover, the central phase was particularly turbulent - varying currents. Yet, the mid-phase was negotiated and passed relatively comfortably. Eventually, when we were almost at the beach area, Murray pointed towards an appealing landing point, and with no need for discussion, we landed and enjoyed coffee and beer.
Murray and I are seldom able to think of ourselves as off-beat people; however, neither of us feels like the average 'day-to-day people'. Yet, generally speaking, he and I are fairly normal people (in my opinion, at least). On our return journey, the sea conditions seemed similar but slightly more favourable current conditions drove us along. The middling area was every bit as turbulent; except for these slightly more favourable current conditions.
While paddling with these much more favourable currents - the 'easier' phase of the journey - the experience still held almost surprising elements. However, in comparatively little time, we were steering bows towards the original leaving/landing point. Like most good ventures, the episode happened and passed too quickly! We busied ourselves checking and reloading our kayaking gear into Murray's excellent vehicle, his own modified camper van!
We are blessed to be living in Scotland
Alba/Scotland is rich in great conditions for boating and camping experiences. If we don't engage in these experiences, what sort of fools would we be?!
Thanks for your time,
Ewen A Morrison
Comments
Hi Ewen, excellent write, I thoroughly enjoyed this tale of shared experience in the setting of Scotland´s beautiful landscapes. I Kayak and spend much time in the mountains, climbing and mountain biking with friends so can relate to this, the brotherhood/sisterhood of the hills is a very strong one. Have you watched Scotland´s Mountains on youtube? Well worth watching. Merry Christmas! Thank you! x :)
Hi, Tony, and thanks for your kind reaction and comments; I'm really pleased and surprised here... After all, I'm more at home with Kayaking than with PCs and going online like this. Anyway, as well as being both surprised and pleased, I'm happy to agree with "the brotherhood/sisterhood of the hills is a very strong one" and many, many of our youngsters are joining us while we're speaking.
Thanks again, Tony, and although I've retired from my old profession, I'm now almost as busy as I've ever been before, with the workshop beside our house and our other family interests - there's never a dull day. I'll certainly watch 'Scotland´s Mountains' and I'm happy to wish a merry Christmas to you and yours!
Ewen