Scotland Sea Kayak Trip – June 2021 Day 6 and 7 (Catriona Hare) Day 6 Camas na Croise to the island that shall not be named (about 22km) We set off about 9:30, after breakfast which came with one of our few midge experiences of the trip, although still far less than I could ever have dreamed of. Andy was developing a new habit of being on the water before the rest of us and looking disapprovingly at tardiness. He needs to practice his disapproving look for it to be effective. Like the rest of the week, we set off in glorious sunshine and flat calm conditions, I am still not convinced we were in Scotland. The day before we had decided not to cross over to Mull due to fog in the shipping lane, looking back towards Mull this morning it looked like it was foggy again and the risk averse decision for a change of plan the day before seemed more justified than ever. We headed up the western shore of Loch Linnhe which gave us some very different scenery to the rest of the trip, with the larger mountains of the mainland running into the loch. Before long it was time to stop for food and a philosophical debate on the timing and meaning of the words breakfast and lunch. Elevenses, brunch and possibly “linner” were considered superfluous. Anyway, it was our first relaxing meal stop in the sun of the day. We carried on up the coast getting some really good views of a golden and a white-tailed eagle and lots of wild goats. Roger was excellent a spotting wildlife. We stopped at Port a Ghearrain, our most northern point on Loch Linnhe, for our meal of choice and more relaxing in the sun. Although it […]

Scotland Sea Kayak Trip – June 2021 Day 5 Thursday 01/07/2021 by Ian Bell Lismore east coast and crossing to Camas na Croise (About 24Km) by Ian Bell Having spent the night at the south end of Lismore, we had plans and aspirations of crossing over to Mull for a night before starting to wind our way back to Oban. However the fog had rolled in and following some debate as to how long we could delay departure and still take advantages of slack water to cross passed Lady’s Rock we decided on a cut off time or we would revert to plan B,C,D,E whatever. As the time approached, we saw the fog lift only to descend again. There was some doubt in group as to the whether we should chance it and play Russian roulette with the Cal Mac ferries so we decided we would leave Mull for another time and paddle up the east side of Lismore and spend the rest of the trip exploring up into Loch Linnhe. Of course, as we set off, the fog lifted again and soon we were commenting on the heat of the morning sun. However, we were now committed to paddling north. As we paddled, we commented that this part of island was less inhabited than we expected and identified several other possible camp sites. It was also noted that at some point some of the group would need to find and top up water supplies. This noted I suggested as the ground was dry, we would be best calling in at the ferry terminal as it was the most likely option for a tap. On the way Andy suggested exploring Eilean nan Gamhna and its siter Eilean na Cloiche, so we headed out to them for elevenses or lunch. We […]

Scotland Sea Kayak Trip – June 2021 Day 4 – Eilan nan Caorach (Poo Island) to SW Lismore – Andy Garland We departed our island campsite around 9:30am and left our feathered friends (and appreciable amounts of avian poo) behind. The sea was calm, it was warm, and the scenery was fantastic. What more could you possibly want (apart from Second Breakfast)? We glided across the water to the island of Lismore and followed its west coast southward. Our course took us around the tiny islands off the shore of Port Ramsay, and we took care not to disturb the attendant seals with young pups. The coast continued to pass us by on our left-hand side…all was mellow, all was calm, we were at one with the world, but I needed Second Breakfast! Just before my stomach started digesting my head a superb breakfast-eating bay came into sight, next to the ruins of Castle Coeffin. We relaxed in the sun and took in the serenity of it all. It was wonderfully peaceful. The only sounds that could be heard were me munching a tin of sardines, crisps, a mars bar and one of those cereal bars that are marketed to people who are too lazy to cook a proper breakfast. It would have been a wonderful spot to camp, but a notice from the landowners made it quite clear (in a very polite way) that they would much prefer people to camp on common land further to the north. We continued our trip south until it was time for First Lunch. This was taken at the site of a disused limestone quarry in the bay at An Sailean. We explored the abandoned lime kilns and quarry buildings and imagined what it must have been like working here while it was […]

Day 3 Kerrara to Eilan nan Caorach ( about 31Km) Sheena Davies On Tuesday the 29th of June we left our beautiful campsite on the west coast of Kerrera at 9.30am. Our first stop was ‘Little Ganavan’ , a sandy beach just north of Oban where I immediately struggled out of my dry suit as it was so hot! It really was as hot as it looks in the photo. I was also relieved that we had successfully negotiated the shipping channel between the north of Kerrera and the mainland. We had our second breakfast here, or was it first lunch? Our next stop was Dunstaffnage Marina where we filled all available containers with water from a tap on the pontoon. Unfortunately, a lady (trailing a little dog called Peanut), upset me by informing me that that water was contaminated. Roger sensibly pointed out that it would be more unhygienic to source it from the toilet cisterns as she had suggested! The marina staff, however, were lovely and more than happy for us to use their facilities. We had a ‘lumpy’ but wonderful kayak from Dunstaffnage to the jutting out piece of land beyond Tralee bay then paddled all the way up the Lynn of Lorne to Eilean Nan Caorach where we settled for the evening and overnight. Catriona answering her phone in the channel, Ian was getting closer. We must have had a second lunch stop en route but I was too tired to remember it! Ian Bell kayaked from Port Appin this evening to join us and we had a lovely time amidst masses of squabbling seabirds and goose poop!!

Scotland Sea Kayak Trip June 2021 First day (The extra-long alternative) by Ali Watt Sheena and I had decided to travel down from Skye early on the morning of the first day of the trip.  Like all early morning starts, they sound ok in the planning, but much harder when the time comes and you have to leave your bed at 4am.  On the road for 5am and a clear road south got us to our departure point at Dunstaffnage Marina, outside Oban, just before 9am. After just short of an hour’s packing, we had managed to cram in the kitchen sink and everything else required for a week’s self-supported paddling, and we were out of the gates and off.  Heading south Catriona thoughtfully contacted us by text to let us know that herself, Andy and Roger where on the water about the same time as us, paddling in the same direction as us, but a good 12km ahead. We had a great paddle past Oban bay, where we managed to avoid the fishing boats and Calmac ferries by sticking to the Kerrera shore.  Once into quieter waters we crossed to the mainland to stop for a second breakfast at Kerrera Slip. Managing to curb the desire to eat like a whale and consume more than we’d packed for the day, we continued our journey south, trying to avoid seal pups and angry oyster catchers as we went.  The weather was good, just a slight head wind which I was very glad of as it slowed my companion’s pace to one I could enjoy. The Island of Seil came into view, and we knew that we weren’t too far from the rest of the team, in fact we could almost smell them!  Onwards we went, into the deep south, rounding […]

LCC Canoe Polo Tournament – 17 July 2021 We had three teams playing in this friendly tournament which included 3 people who had never played canoe polo before. The sun was shining, and the crowds were out cheering the teams on. I guess people had nothing to follow as we were between the Euros and the Olympics. Congratulation’s to LCC A who just managed to beat LCC C in the “golden goal” extra time. All the games were amazingly close. Why not come down and give canoe polo a go – all equipment is available from the compound. We play as a mixture of teenagers and older, novice to very experienced. Click to see more Photos…….

The plan had been to canoe the River Dee from Farndon to Chester. So, once the cars were sorted it was time to get going (NOTE – Sandy Lane car park has a max time limit of 4 hours and if you park outside of a bay then you get a ticket. But parking on the grass verge outside the car park is fine). The weather was glorious and hot, very hot, but the trip was going to be very chilled. So with a very important briefing of “Put your sun cream on and drink lots of water”, we headed off. 9 canoes and 2 sea kayaks, or to count another way 14 people and 2 dogs, then began to gently paddle down stream. The dogs had the correct idea as they were sat  under a parasol in the boat.                         To be honest, on this trip I wasn’t expecting swimmers on such flat water. Suddenly I heard a splash and realised that Keith had gone overboard! (Oh no – time to get switched on). Suddenly, another splash and Nikki was in the water. As they climbed back into their respective boats the word was given, and the word was “Self rescue practice every 30 minutes”     That set the tone for a very relaxed, chilled paddle with great company.  The miles passed under the blazing sun, at times almost too hot, until all too soon we reached Sandy Lane and the awaiting ice cream van. Alas, just as we landed, the parking attendant turned up and the van had to leave (Booo) A fab day in opens (and sea kayaks). Thanks all for coming. Mike & Ruth

Covid 19 Guidance from 19th July 2021  LCC Home  Everyone still needs to pre-book the paddle through bookwhen or email to the coordinator to ensure group sizes are within British Canoeing’s guidance. Face coverings are optional. Social distancing should be observed where possible.   2m (one paddle length) is a long way!!!! and if you approach closer you should mitigate against the risks. PLEASE RESPECT OTHER MEMBERS, WHO MAY WISH TO STILL PADDLE WITH THE CLUB BUT ALSO NEED OR WANT TO SOCIALLY DISTANCE. We will continue with a named on-the-water leader for each group. This has greatly developed paddling within the club over the past 18 months. We operate under British Canoeing recommended group sizes and ratios.  These are absolute maximums and if conditions / paddlers and/or leaders experience demand, groups sizes could and should be smaller than this. Maximum for the docks (Sheltered water) is 1:8 (1:12 for tandem / crewed boats).  Maximum for moderate water is 1:6 Maximum for advanced water is 1:4 Two groups can paddle near or next to one another on the water but social distancing should still be observed by all. Every paddler needs to be pre-booked with the coordinator or through our Bookwhen.com booking site. Paddles are notified through the club`s Google Group and also placed on the clubs calendar. All paddling takes place in separate, small groups with a nominated leader. We follow all National and Local guidance and adhere to the British Canoeing guidelines for paddlesports. Latest Guidance: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/local-covid-alert-levels-what-you-need-to-know Please stay away if you have any symptoms or are self-isolating. Always maintain social distancing (2m or a paddle length). Please leave the site asap after the paddle to reduce congestion. Please use hand sanitiser before and after paddling. If more than one group is at the compound, please quickly select your equipment and move it to your group number or away from the […]

Scotland Sea Kayak Trip – June 2021 I normally go kayaking in Scotland during early May or late September/October with the sole intention of avoiding the ‘Midges’.  Therefore, this June trip was to be a new experience for me and one I was both looking forward to and dreading in equal measure. Horror stories from my sons, ‘Midges’ walking across your eyeballs, kind of stuff, hadn’t helped. Now the date had arrived and time to find out for myself just how bad they really are.   Monday 28th June. (NE Luing to Port Phadruig, Kerrera about 26Km) By Roger Colman Our pleasant little campsite was vacated in a well-ordered manner, breakfast taken by those requiring it and kayaks packed so we were on the water for 6:00am as planned.   The early start was a tidal requirement and allowed us to paddle up Seil Sound and under the bridge over the Atlantic. Once through the bridge it was back onto the mainland shore and a stop for second breakfast. (We learnt that Jon was not going to make the trip after all, but Ian was still scheduled to join us on Tuesday evening.)   The early morning mist had burnt off and it was another really lovely day as the five of us paddled up to Port Lathaich and there crossed over to Kerrera.    On reaching the Islands shore we paddled down the east side, around the southern end, where Sheena was able to reminisce about family picnics as we passed Gylen Castle.       Gylen Castle  We continued around the southern end of the island and up the west coast to Port Phadruig and a five-star wild campsite Catriona was aware of, courtesy of her sister. It was a stunning location. We arrived about midday and stayed put. After the early start this suited me fine. Ali and Sheena were equally happy after their additional early start and long day yesterday. However, they […]

Scotland Sea Kayak Trip June 2021 by Roger Colman I normally go kayaking in Scotland during early May or late September/October with the sole intention of avoiding the ‘Midges’.  Therefore, this June trip was to be a new experience for me and one I was both looking forward to and dreading in equal measure. Horror stories from my sons, ‘Midges’ walking across your eyeballs, kind of stuff, hadn’t helped. Now the date had arrived and time to find out for myself just how bad they really are. Sunday 27th June. (Kerrera ferry to NE Luing about 25Km) Catriona, Andy and I started out from the Oban / Kerrera Ferry slipway about 10am Sunday morning. Ally and Sheena were travelling from Skye and intending to join us later that day, while Jon hoped to be with us Monday and Ian Tuesday. That is a lot easier and quicker to write than it was for Catriona to arrange. No doubt numerous plans A, B, C etc. were developed as individual circumstances changed through the week, prior to the trip. We are all very grateful for the time and effort it must have taken Catriona to accommodate everyone’s needs. Our paddle was gentle and uneventful, in smooth seas and warm sunshine, with the added bonus of a sea otter sighting within the first 90 minutes.  Into Barnacarry Bay for elevenses, then on down the coast, a quick peek at the Bridge over the Atlantic (Clachan Bridge) through a number of small isles above Rubha Garbh Airde, to a lunch stop just below it. After lunch we stayed close to the shore line, through the Sound of Insh and on to Easdale Harbour. Here Andy had a successful ‘urban foraging’ trip and gathered together some alcoholic beverages, a table and chairs. Excellent. Andy – ‘Urban Foraging’, Easdale Catriona had been in regular contact with Ali and Sheena monitoring […]