Gigha to scarba Day 60

Any moaning i have done on this trip about the weather - i take it all back now. We're pretty chuffed to have such good weather in west Scotland. We are trying to balance making the most of the days, with out feeling like we're missing out on the scenery so that hopefully we can get up to north Scotland before it changes. Glassy water with stunning views and lots of wildlife all up until about 2 hours from the end of the paddle today. I noticed what looked like a line of fairly rough water approaching. Within a few mins we were paddling into a force four headwind, as a result we didn't quite make it too our intended destination before we ran out of tide. We came in a couple of miles early and have found a camp on scarba. Lovely camp apart from rob looking like he's going to rob a bank - he's pretty scary in his black head net.

Sanda island to Gigha. Day 59

We had been recommend to visit gigha by many people, but we had been warned about the tidal race off the mull of kintyre. On such a still day and reaching the mull just after slack the water was actually pretty calm. However our speed went over 7knots and then stayed about 4 - 5 knots for the rest of the trip. (our average speed over a day with no tide or wind is about 3 1/2 knots). So we managed to paddle the 31 NM to gigha before the tide changed. We were welcomed by some sea kayakers who knew the local area well, many friendly sailors, advice and donations. After showers and ice creams we slept well.

Dounan bay to sanda island. Day 58 - 3rd June

More good weather so we decided to make the crossing to mull of kintyre in one. There couldn't be much hanging around to make the 24NM crossing before the tide changed. However, we had to radio a rather large ferry to make sure they'd seen us and then zig zag about six fishing trawlers. After about 5 hours sanda island (just off the mull of kintyre) finally came into view. The crossing was horrible with all the boats, but sanda island was well worth it. Seals and bird life everywhere , we had our first swim of the trip and then bivied on the beach.

East Tarbet to Dounan bay- day 57 - 2nd of June

Calm paddle around the mull of Galloway. Pulled into port Patrick for a belated birthday pub lunch ( thanks Andy and Jane.) we also stocked up on food and had a doze on the beach for a couple  of hours. Port Patrick has to be one of the most chatty, friendly places we've been . We even had a twenty min chat with one guy about tidal streams around the mull of kintyre before we'd actually got into the harbour. After meeting loads of other friendly people we caught the evening tide up to Dounan bay with our boats a few inches lower in the water with the ridiculous amount of oats and rice we are now carrying.

Day 56 (but more importantly rach's birthday)

Another crossing so not the most interesting of paddles - apart from a few thousand gannets on scares island half way into the paddle. Arrived at a lovely sheltered bay where we were greeted with a cup of tea, biscuits and a great chat from a couple we coincidently met yesterday - thanks very much, just what we needed. Winds pretty strong this pm so couldn't get the afternoon tide around mull of galloway, meaning we've had to spend most of the day eating, chilling and chatting to other people camping on the beach - been a tough day!

Day 55 rascarrel bay to port castle bay

Woke up at 4. Aaarrrgh. To be on the water for 5:30. Once on the water it was beautiful, still, tide helping to push us along, lovely scenery. ....until near burrow head when we started paddling into one of the strongest head winds I've ever been out in. At one point rob wasn't sure if i was actually moving. We decided to push on though and we got to a lovely bay in time for lunch. After a short walk (10km!) to buy some oats (we hadn't realised we were running low - lesson learnt) we were in our bivis by 8.

Day 54 st bees to rascarrel bay

Nice easy start of about 10ish. Good day which started off seeing loads of guillemots, black guillemots and puffins. Made use of my new waterproof headphones so had a bit of a Spanish lesson and Ben Howard to keep me entertained when conversation with me and rob lulled (we have been paddling together for two months now!). Arrived in Scotland to be greeted by a few thousand midges. But very excited to be here.