The long, hot spell has provided some good conditions for getting out in the kayaks. We’ve had a few trips on the sea and we’ve been out on Loch Ken with the Kirkcudbright Canoe Club.
Kayaking Again
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Tag Archives: Kayaking
Back to Paddling
Gabrielle is back in her kayak again after her operation back in January. We went out for an evening session on Loch Ken with the Kirkcudbright Canoe Club. There were a few ominous clouds but we had a beautiful, calm sunny evening out on the water, followed by picking up some fish and chips on the way home.
Paddling down the Dee
We had a good kayaking session down the River Dee past Threave Castle with the Kirkcudbright Canoe Club.
There was a good turnout for the event with around 30 assorted kayaks out on the river. There was a bit of extra excitement at the end of the trip with a short section of rapids where the river passes under the A75 road bridge which I unfortunately failed to capture photographically.
Paddling Again
We had some mid-day high tides and good weather in the middle of May so we managed to get out for a paddle along the coast with our friends Anna and Rob.
The calm seas enabled us to see a couple of porpoises but they were too far away to get a photograph.
St David’s Day Paddle
We paddled out to Ardwall Island for a picnic lunch on St David’s Day this year. There was a very high tide around lunch time so there wasn’t much of a beach left on the island.
We came across our friend Guy from Knockbrex out on the water just off Ardwall Island.
New Year’s Day
It was cool but calm and sunny on New Year’s Day so we went for a paddle over to the Murray Isles. There were a few seals hanging around the islands but they are elusive to photograph. Here’s one disappearing underwater just beyond the stern of Gabrielle’s kayak.
The weather stayed calm for the rest of the day and we had a pretty sunset at Castle Haven Bay.
Back in the Kayaks
Gabrielle’s new hip is recovering nicely so we’ve been able to get out for a paddle around in our kayaks during the last few weeks. Here are a few pictures from the various sessions.
Galloway Beagle Bash
A number of our skiing friends from “Team Beagle” came to visit in September to sample the delights of sunny Galloway. Outdoor activities included kayaking, swimming, walking and cycling. Local history and culture was encountered in Kirkandrews and Kirkcudbright. The Craig Cottage blackcurrant gin was sampled along with a few other tasty beverages and a stroll along to the local Wine o’ Clock session.
Edith paddling round the Isles of Fleet 
Kirkandrews Bay & Craig Cottage 
Edith, Gabrielle & Betty down on the beach 
Rainbow on the way back to Craig Cottage 
Friday evening Wine o’ Clock 
Donald consults the manual at Broughton House 
Bicycle team in Kirkcudbright 
Inspecting “the Borg” – an Iron Age fort
Calm November
November has been remarkably calm this year. We awoke on Sunday morning to find the sea flat calm and we could see a fairly large object floating off the end of Kirkandrews Bay. The tide was high so we got out the kayaks to take a look and go for a quick trip around Barlocco Island. The mystery object turned out to be a big floating log.
Cruising through calm water with the Isle of Whithorn in the background.
There was low cloud down over the hills but no wind as we went round the far side of Barlocco Island and past Ardwall Island.
Flotilla of Kayaks
We had a house full of visitors one weekend in August and it was a good opportunity to get out the whole fleet of kayaks for a paddle around the bay.
Stephen and Harvey in the double kayak along with a small flock of gulls.
Gabrielle with Philip and a very pregnant Laura paddling along the coast towards Corseyard.
Philip in among the rocks at Rumblekirn.
