Sea Kayaking, West Scotland, May 2006

15th May - Lunga

Today's trip trip to the uninhabited island of Lunga (not the Lunga in the Treshnish Isles with all the puffins) via Shuna and Luing was the first 'real' sea kayaking day. We were up in the hostel the night before until midnight with kit strewn across the floor trying in vain to get it all into dry bags and wondering how on earth it was all going to fit in the boats. Come morning, we eventually managed to cram everything we needed for three days into the kayaks, a painful process which involved shedding unnecessary packets of biscuits and cake and even clothes. After the initial incredulity that the boats actually floated with all the air replaced with kit (and the vital three litre box of wine), we set off across calm seas to Luing via Shuna to have lunch.

After lunch we paddled over to Lunga, taking in the Grey Dogs tide race (very exciting), and set up our campsite on the most exposed part of the island we could find so as not to be bothered by midges. With the weather closing in we retreated to the tents with the box of wine, a trangia and a massive pile of food.

We fell asleep to the sound of the sea just yards from the tent. I awoke to the sound of rushing water and a floating sensation. In the dark and the confusion, I grabbed hold of Luke and muttered something along the lines of 'we're being swept out to sea', before realising that I was in a tent right next to the sea and it was just my sense of balance playing up after having been in a boat all day. I don't think Luke will let me forget that incident!