With patches of blue appearing between light fluffy clouds and a slight breeze un the air i decided that morning i would paddle from Tighnabruaich marina passed buttock point in the Isle of bute and either land just down from the bute ferry or attempt to paddle round the point and skip the next loch. It was seemingly a good plan with very little that could possibly go wrong.
Leaving the shore of Tighnabruaich hoolley and i began the paddle towards buttock point. Why it was called that i have absolutely no idea. About half way across the waters began to chop a little and the wind picked up slightly. It was of no concern though and we both made it safely to the point. The island acting as a wind break sheltered us and the waters calmed. Clouds began to fill the blue gaps and slightly darkened the skies.
As i continued to paddle round the island i could see the ferry crossing it was huge and I'd have to be careful crossing its path in case they didn't spot me in my tiny little inflatable.
Slowly and cautiously i paddled towards the enormous metal, pack raft munching, monster. As i got closer the captain spotted me, they were docked up waiting for the cars to finish loading. He came out on deck, binoculars pointed towards me, waved and pointed at the stern, or was it the bow. Both ends looked identical. It didn't matter i paddled towards the arse end and under its enormous retractable ramp. Its amazing how insignificant you feel paddling a packraft that close to a car ferry.
Wind channelled up through between the mainland and bute making paddling a little difficult and finding myself in need of watering the garden i sought a reasonably private place to pull up at. Having satisfied gods will i decided instead of paddling around the peninsula and across the next loch i would in fact hike the peninsula, the road followed the shore quite closely. Reaching the other side i unpacked hoolley again and set off.
It was a little choppy to begin with but it was most definitely more sheltered. Getting about half way across everything quietened down. The waters calmed and clouds dispersed. Although from the far side i thought the crossing would be a little rough but found it actually to have been quite pleasant.
I was about 11 miles from dunoon, according to a milestone i passed. The road again followed the coast the majority of the way. Where the road leaves the coast you can walk across what I'd been told was an old us military base. There wasn't much to really see. Yes there appeared to have once been a port of sone description, a few small brick buildings also remain as well as a grass covered road system. Was it actually military, yes it was possible.
It was quite a large site, away from the noise of traffic on the road, now on my own it fell eerily quiet. By the time I'd found my way to the other side the sun had set and darkness had fallen. I was determined to make it to the lighthouse at the point before stopping for the day so lighting my way by head torch i kept walking. Taking full advantage of the tarmac beneath my feet. As i hiked i looked at the street lights on bute and street lights across the clyde. I was really making progress.
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