Joint F-Rib/kayak/SIB/K9 outing on the Clyde

[DouglasW]

Today summer 2017 put in a somewhat delayed first appearance on the Clyde. The kayaks set off from Portencross. The Gurnard's F-Rib and Kaman's Honwave set off from Largs.

We passed the old lighthouse on Little Cumbrae without landing and...

...met up at Port Leithne on Bute...

...for a luncheon in the hazy sunshine accompanied by a young sea dog.

Back on the water it was time for postprandial manoeuvres...

...with a magnificent backdrop for...

...photo opportunities.

We were not the only ones out for a jolly.

All too soon it was time to say farewell to Bute...

Although the kayaking contingent had actually got out to Bute first, it has to be said they fell far behind on the leg back to the Little Cumbrae...

...where it was time for a well earned break at the castle.

Then it was back on the water, for the final leg back...

...to Portencross in time for the sunset.

A splendid outing enjoyed by all, not least the new K9 member

Douglas



















.

[Paul]

Thanks for sharing Douglas
Looks like you all had a great time out on the water together
Kaman's new shipmate seems to enjoy boating as much as its owner
I can't wait to get myself back out on the water and especially up to the West coast

[The Gurnard]

Thank you for leading the way Bro .. and as we all see things a different way ..here is a quick glimpse of how I saw the day shape up

Myself ... my M8 Kaman and K9 Fang all launch from Largs Public slipway . It is beside the “Pencil” which commemorates the raping and pillaging the Vikings forced onto to the local population many years before I was born. Rumour has it that many locals enjoyed the experience and that I myself may be a descendant of the Viking Warrior ... Eric the Greybeard.

I confess that something happened to me yesterday that I never thought would happen. I fell in love. Fang is the most adorable dog and obedient bitch that I have even met. She also took to me .. (or perhaps it was my sandwich ?) ..but I got big licks and tail wags of every time we landed for walkies.
Kaman..keep a close eye on her..or I will pillage her away from you.

Kaman is an old sea dog too and over the years we have had a few adventures together. It was a pleasure catching up with you again .. although my 6HP struggled to catch your 20HP outboard.

However both of us easily caught up with the party of kayakers I had arranged to rendezvous with. They where exactly where they predicted they would be due to my brothers impeccable navigation skills ..in front of .. and approaching the base of .. Goatfell ..the tallest mountain on the Isle of Arran.

Where I met the gnarly old sea dog himself .. DouglasW. Here he is practising what he preaches and has full safety kit on board his tiny kayak and small size torso. Some say he tells more stories than myself .. but although he uses a lot of words (Many that I have to use a dictionary to understand) his tales are true stories.

There were pods of porpoise aplenty and also a gaggle of kayakers all sporting the latest fashions in winter boating gear. They couldn’t play hide and seek to save themselves.

There is a lot more to this adventure but as I have a lot to do..it will be a little while before I produce the video of my first day at sea in 2018.

So in the best Gurnard manner I will just add ...to be continued.

[sparerib]

Looks like a great day guys....sorry I missed it looks like you had a more enjoyable time than me, I did eventually manage an hour out to Inchcombe and back, but it was grey and cold.....next time ?!

[The Gurnard]

Hi Paul..thanks for dropping in and commenting ..its appreciated... It wont be too long now until you visit the West Coast again

Hi Sparerib ..you or anyone else are more than welcome to join us at anytime. We don't post dates ahead especially at this time of year as its very weather dependant. However I usually get a few days notice from the Met Office or XC weather. I discussed with Kaman about a visit to Ailsa Craig when the Gannets are at their best ..around early spring..thats a trip to watch out for. I will post when but .. as mentioned..its only days notice I can give. Please post dates you guys go out too and I will try to visit the East Coast .

Another few photos from the trip

The scenery ..even around the industrial Clyde is superb.

Now Im frantically washing all my boating gear down as later this afternoon ..temperatures have to return below freezing point again. There could be more snow shorty too.

To be continued ...

[kaman]

Hi guys.
Thanks for taking the time and effort to post up the narrative and pictures Douglas and Donny.
I'm not much of a photographer - but I had my hands full watching the little pup and tillering the Sib.
She really did enjoy her day out on the brine as well as her rambles on foreign shores and meeting the guys.
Truly was a terrific way to kick of 2018 on the brine.
Hopefully the first of a few good day's out in good company in 2018

[The Gurnard]

Hi Kaman..great to see you again and I'm certain we will enjoy a few days on the water together this year

Here is Part one of the video covering our day .. it was a very eventful one ..so I have had to split the video up.

Direct Link to the video on my U Tube channel
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8k7BsG9uWkY

Part two will follow later so..to be continued ....

[kaman]

Excellent stuff!
Most enjoyable ensemble Gurnard.
The kids will be delighted they're beloved pooch Fang is a YouTube star

[DouglasW]

Paul, I hope you have a great trip north in your new boat but of course you know the weather is not often like yesterday...summer or winter!

sparerib, the weather is usually better on the east, but Ailsa Craig will definitely be worth driving across for!

Kaman, it was a real pleasure to meet you in person, not to mention your delightful pup!

Gurnard great video as always.

One cannot help but notice the well thought out and practical modifications on both Kaman's and the Gurnard's boats.

The kayakers launched at Portencross, which saved us a few km. Even so we covered 28km.

Portencross castle is a scenic launch point. You could launch a small inflatable like the Guppy there on the top 2/3 of the tide but the slip at Largs is much more straight forward. One of the Spanish Armada's ships is reputed to have sunk just offshore.

.

[The Gurnard]

Hi DouglasW..it was a bit like the "hare and tortoice race" ..or should that be the "Hound and Porpoise Race" as in this case ?

The kayaks were unloaded at 9 and off by 9.05. We unloaded at 9 and were off by 10 ..but we all got there in the end ..safe and sound too


Here is part two of our adventure in the Clyde ..I hope you enjoy it ..thanks for watching it guys.
Direct link to the video on my U Tube channel
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nJ7idadP-aU

For info only..

This is part of a route I am involved in for the “Scottish Sib Outing 2018” and is a two day event with an overnight wild camping possibly on Arran.
Dates are 23/24th June. Anyone is more than welcome to come along.