A long paddle

Sitting here typing, my arms are more than a little tired. No biking or running today, just a long kayak.

Rosemary made a picnic and we got out the house a little later than planned, at around 11am. The breeze was blowing a tad stronger than we had hoped for and from the north east. We though about paddling to Portobello so we would have the wind on our backs on the way home, but decided to stick to plan and head for Cramond Island.

The sea was a little lumpy and my arm hurt a little, but it wasn't too bad. I cheered up totally when we saw a few guillemot just off Granton. It was scary coming to the island. We had stupidly not checked to see where we would land, and it seemed a bit rocky on the east shore. However, we paddled over the submerged causeway and there was a lovely wee beach to land on. 

After getting the kayak safe, we found a nice spot for lunch, out of the wind and really quite warm. Rosemary wondered if I'd ever eat lunch (rare for me) as I was transfixed by all the exciting birds. There was a pair of goosanders in the bay, looking as if they were going through a mating ritual. I wasn't quite sure, but it looked as if there were a few shelduck a bit further out. It was really exciting as in the next bay were a mix of around 20 curlew and even more oyster catchers in the shallows.

Eventually, the call of crisps, last night's remaining pizza and a cheese roll encouraged me to sit down with Rosemary. I was so happy. We had a whole island to ourselves and amazing birds all around, the best I've seen since the start of lockdown. 

Then we set off for a wander round the Island, which was alive with the sound of birds. We saw a few very cool, still to be identified ones, I suspect a pair of linnets, but I need an expert to confirm. We also saw a beautiful mistle thrush, only a few feet away. I was wishing I had my proper camera and big lens!

We eventually got back to where we had left our stuff, had a slice of Jamaican ginger cake and then got the kayak packed up. The bay was covered in white horses and the wind was blowing quite hard.....I think we were both nervous. Crossing the causeway, Rosemary misnavigated and we hit one of the concrete bollards. Second time lucky, but we were out of the sheltered side of the Island and heading back to Newhaven.

Initially, I think we were both scared and having fun in equal measure, crashing through the rolling waves, going over the odd crest and then crashing into a trough.....usually accompanied by a loud scream from Rosemary. There were a few broadsides too which got us wet.

Steering was tough because we have an inflatable, so we aimed North East and straight into the wind. "Double' or 'triple' meant strong strokes to the right hand side to keep us on the right bearing. It took concentration and quite a lot of hard work.

Eventually, we turned towards the harbour and couldn't believe how flat and calm it was once we entered it. What a fun day.

Nothing has come close in the last year.....content, happy and big smiles on our faces. It was magical and all done under our own steam. Just a wee portage up the hill to our flat and a wee bit more graft to get everything washed down and stowed.