Update! Thursday 9/09/2010

The start of our latest expedition took a turn for the worst when our van gearbox failed on route. We had got as far as kilwinning near Ayr and had to be recovered. This of course is not a simple task when you also have three 6 metre kayaks with you. In the end we arrived at the Ayr sea front by a local taxi.

The weather on Monday 6th was stormy, even the ferry was cancelled.We braced the lumpy seas and kayaked from Ayr to Brodick on the Isle Of Arran, taking 4.5 hours and getting there just before dark.

We camped overnight in the pouring rain. Unfortunately Rob had been struggling with a bad shoulder and in the morning had to leave the expedition, returning by ferry.

We made our way to tarbert where we tackled the portage in reverse, Kayaks weighing too much for the trolleys. This took a long 1.5 hours after which we were knackered. We decided to launch across a load of mud for direct access to the water. After paddling down tarbet inlet for 2.5 hours (at around 5.30pm) we took the decision to make the 2.5 hour crossing to Gigha, arriving at the island just before dark.

Thursday morning and we have paddled to Port Ellen. We hope tomorow to be able to cross to Rathlin Island - we will wait and see what the Scottish weather of rain and then shine does!

Update! Friday 10/09/2010

Well we made it. Toughest yet and pretty scary. Decided to make crossing to Ireland last night because of poor weather today. Took 4 hours and arrived back in the dark! Then spent 3.5 hours battling to get across a tidal race off Rathlin Island in pitch black, very rough. Arrived 00:15, exhausted. Slept on a stormy beach and then trickle paddle this morning to make it to the finish in rough seas.

It was emotional!

New Year’s Resolution for the Big 5 Kayak Challenge

The New Year has seen the Big 5 Kayak Challenge team announce five new expeditions with a slightly different format, and undoubtedly even more challenging. You may recall that we covered their adventures last year which saw the team kayak round the Isle of Wight, the length of the Thames during the February blizzards in 33 hours, the English Channel, Lands End to the Isles of Scilly and 1000 miles of the Inside Passage, from Vancouver Island to Glacier Bay, Alaska.

The End of the Inside Passge, the beginning to Another Big 5 Kayak Challenge