Kayak Isle of Man - Kayak Sailing in Stornoway

The weekend in the Outer Hbrides has been marred by gales and rain. It may be August but rather like at home on the Isle of Man, the weather has little regard for the seasons. And so it was a force 6 or possibly 7 that confined me to Stornoway Harbour. This wasn't paddling it was kayak sailing. Having battled my way up to Arnish point from Cuddy point, hugging the coast for any meager shelter I could find, I spun the boat around and sailed back. Paddling was unnecessary. Alternating left and right stern rudders kept me on course, and the only time I did need to paddle, frantically, was when a large Norwegian fishing vessel threatened to mow me down. I stole a glimpse through the narrow gap which leads from Stornoway Harbour into the Minch and witnessed a steaming, slow motion, boiling ocean. If I'd gone out I'd never have made it back in as the gales would have taken me off to Point and beyond!
I had a great time but I'm not sure that the two paddlers from Stornoway Canoe Club did as they struggled with their Coach 2 and Coach 3 assessments! With a coach over from the mainland they couldn't cancel and the assessment continued, despite being out of remit. Many thanks to the club for letting me use their facilities and for the warm welcome they gave to me.
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Kayak Isle of Man - Outer Hebrides.

I arrived in Stornoway, the Western Isles, on Thursday. It took over a day to get here with an overnight stay in Ullapool. One of the problems with living on one island, and going to work on another, is that there will be at least two ferry rides. From the Isle of Man I used the Isle of Man Steam Packet Company. The four and a half hour trip cost me over £300 with the car. In contrast, from Ullapool to Stornoway I used Caledonian MacBrayne. This two and a half hour trip with the car cost a little over £80! Not surprisingly, Ullapool and the Western Isles are buzzing with tourists from every corner of the World. This is great for the local economy but not necessarily for me. I am up here working and the surge in population can only mean that my job as Consultant Anaesthetist is likely to be somewhat more busy than might have otherwise been the case. Still, after this initial 4 day stint of on call I will be off on Tuesday, at which point the 3 piece Rockpool will be assembled ready for it's first Hebridean trip.
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