Day 5 – On my own

• North Bute to Kilfinan Bay
• 35 kms

The couple on the yacht moored across from my campsite took their dog ashore for a short walk and waved to me as they crossed in their small tender. Apart from that, and a few other waves from a distance, I haven’t communicated with anyone in the flesh all day.

The tidal flow in the western kyle wouldn’t be in my favour till 11 am. However, the light southerly winds were forecast to freshen as the day progressed, so I decided it was best to get down to Ardlamont Point as quickly as possible. After that, I’d be heading north up Loch Fyne, so a fresh southerly would be helping me along.

In the end, it was very easy going down to the point.

The wind did indeed freshen as I headed northwest from the point, and it gave rise to a wind blown chop on my beam. It was the first time this trip that I felt that I should have been wearing a cag. The little breaking tops would sometimes threaten my bib and spray deck defences, but as I turned north after 45 minutes it was just my t-shirt that was a little wet.

The rest of the paddle up Loch Fyne was easy enough, but I feel my directional control with following wind and sea has been a little compromised by having the trolley on the back.