Kristin and Andy joined me again for another session of learning, practicing and enjoying. We started by chatting about suitable kit to take to keep yourself safe on the water, headed out and improved some of our paddling technique and then headed off to test some skills on a bit of bumpy wavy water. A brew is always better on a remote beach after you’ve put some effort in!

Toby, Megan, Anna and Nick spent a sunny afternoon with me kayaking from Gairloch harbour. A low tide meant plenty of starfish searching along the craggy coastline. Toby and Megan booked me initially and then realised that their friends from uni were doing the NC500 at the same time in opposite directions, so what better time to meet up than on the water!

Gerry was back with me today but sadly no Ailsa this time. We padded from Poolewe again but this time on the other side of the loch, so we headed around the shore of Inverewe Garden. For a while we had a good few seals swimming around us to keep us entertained.

Gerry and Ailsa spent the afternoon kayaking by Poolewe with me. They’re thinking about doing more kayaking in the future so were keen to learn about safe paddling and learn skills. After a slightly damp start the weather improved and turned into a lovely afternoon.

Kenny and Amanda were up here in a motorhome so they didn’t bring their own kayaks up. The had a session on the water with me to enjoy paddling up here without the hassle of bringing their boats but also to lean more skills and that they can use when they get back on the water by themselves.

Frances and Tim spent the morning kayaking around from Gairloch harbour. At the same time that seals swam around near us we had a white tailed eagle fly overhead.

I had met David and Claire last year up at the Mellon Charles boom beach, they were heading out snorkelling when I was paddling there with customers. They’re back up in the area and were keen to get out in kayaks. On our evening paddle we had a couple of otters scampering around on the shore to entertain us.

Julia and James stopped on their NC500 tour to have an afternoon kayaking with me. We had an enjoyable time paddling around the coastline at Inverewe garden. Quite a contrast up here to where they live in London.

Katia, Roy and Karl joined me for a morning paddle around the coastline from Gairloch harbour. The winds were due to pickup throughout the day so I’d sadly had to cancel my afternoon customers. Since they were paddling well we overran a bit in the knowledge that we’d have windier conditions to play in and they all did nicely fighting against the wind! Typical that I chose to overrun and then get a mountain rescue callout when I’m still on the water – not a problem though as we were heading back anyway and I was able to nip away sharpish.

Ali and Andrew met me in Poolewe to get out in sea kayaks. They’d recently been paddling down near Edinburgh and are enjoying it so want to do more. We paddled around the shoreline of Inverewe Garden, practicing some skills, enjoying the views, spotting seals, birds and even an otter.

I had blanked off my diary for the morning so that I could take out a small group of my explorer scouts. After practicing skills and exploring the coastline we decided to have our brew break on a little rocky island – it’s great to be able to get to very remote feeling spots to relax with a brew and cake! At this time of year it is however important not to disturb nesting birds, where we stopped doesn’t have any.

Paul and Jenny moved to the area last year from London and are still exploring the area. What better way than by kayak?! Since it was Paul’s birthday I ensured some seals popped by to say hello and then an otter just a few metres from Paul’s boat.

Stephen, Pam, Molly and Ernie came kayaking with me at Poolewe. We explored the coastline around Inverewe Garden as we improved our paddling skills and played games. Quite a few seals joined us, popping up out of the water all around us.

Louise, Fraser, Mia and Holly spent the morning paddling about, learning strokes and enjoying the scenery and wildlife with me. For a while seals appeared around us to say hello and see what we were doing.

Kristin and Andy spent a sunny morning paddling about from Gairloch Harbour with me. Andy has his own boat and was keen to refresh his memory of paddling strokes. Kristin is planning on getting a boat so was keen to practice strokes and learn how to kayak safely. They’re both keen to get out again to practice self rescue skills so that they can keep themselves safe in the future.

Annie and Thomas came out in the sea kayaks to explore the rugged coastline around Mellon Charles. We had a lovely calm afternoon for it with blue skies – perfect!

Bella and Daniel had just become the new owners of some of my older sit on top kayaks. They were out with me to learn what kit is good to have to keep them safe and also to practice rescue skills so that when they’re out they’ll be able to keep safe. The sunshine and calmness meant it was a great morning for it and it apparently didn’t feel too cold in wetsuits either! I was toasty in my drysuit!

Donna and Michael has great calm conditions for their kayak with me. It might be chilly in October but we get some fantastic days!