I got a call from Howard on Friday evening. Fancy a paddle Saturday from Cuddy Point around 12.30? With a bit of a break in the weather, wind 2-3 from the East at midday, to North 2-3 afternoon rising to 6 WNW in the evening. The forecast seemed favourable for a leisurely paddle on familiar territory to break in my rusty sea paddling. A few hardy souls turned up, Christine, Janice, Robert, Howard and i. Maybe as desperate as i was to put to sea and trim off the festive indulgences and no Mike? An intrepid adventure seemed unlikely without him, how wrong could i have been. Howard had another idea other than Cuddy Point. How about a paddle out from Crossbost asked Howard?, why not we all volunteered. Rain pelting down did not dampen our enthusiasm. We set of from the jetty at Eaglais Crossbost. We headed South, skirting round Riosaidh, West to Eilean Chalaibrigh and round Eilean Chaluim Chille. This was turning out to be a longer paddle than expected, Christine remarked “The xmas dinner and more has definitely gone”. We landed midway on Eilean Chaluim Chile for tea, thanks to Christine for a wee hog livener! Mother nature had a couple of surprises in store for us, with the wind picking up while heading round the South East of Chaluim Chile. This caught the girls out enough to warrant a sensible decision from Howard and Robert in giving us a wee hand round the corner. I thought i was going to be checking out the lobster pots, and given the time we eventually arrived back, lobster would not have been a bad idea for dinner. The horizon held no good news on our way back, with darkness looming and only a few inquisitive sea birds for company. The guys were not getting off lightly, taking us on an eight mile paddle when we were wanting something more leisurely. Another tow was on the cards for one weary soul. Tragically the girls could not make it back to base. Howard and Robert paddled on to the cars towing one kayak, leaving us poor girls to hump two kayaks in pitch black on slippery seaweed and bog, need i go on, get the picture. Great laughter ensued, especially at one point when i was carrying the bow of two boats and hit serious bog sending me backwards, much to Janice and Christines amusement. We eventually found Robert and Howard who helped us with the kayaks up to the main road and home. I have come to the conclusion that i have to be more prepared when contemplating even a short paddle with SCC. I am going to be taking the kitchen sink from now on!!! Great adventure once again, thanks to Howard and Robert for the towing.Dolina 14.01.07