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St. Abb's Head

St. Abb's Head

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    Aug 20, 2014#1

    St. Abb's Head





    Wavecloud was up visiting his old haunts in the South East (of Scotland), so we met up and had some grand paddling together. On the Wednesday we did the Farne Islands, on Thursday the Bass Rock, and now on the Friday we did St. Abb's Head. Three epic paddles in three days!

    It nearly wasn't though. Tired from the previous days' exertions, we had thought of just pottering around Portobello that day. But when I turned up there, Dave was up, awake and invigorated by the coffee in the Wave Cafe, so we decided to head down the coast to find some rocky headlands.

    We drove down to the nuclear power station at Torness and took a look at the sea. It wasn't glowing bright green with three eyed fish floating around, but it did look a bit stormy. We nearly decided to drive back to Edinburgh, but Dave said let's go further down to Pease Bay and check it there. Which we duly did, and persuaded ourselves it didn't look too bad. So we left my car there, stuck my boat on Dave's van next to his ocean SUP, and drove on to St. Abb's to start the paddle.

    It was quite windy, but the wind was south/southwesterly blowing offshore, so we would get some shelter from it close to the shore and it would hopefully push us along some of the way, with maybe a bit of excitement round the exposed headlands. But it would have to be a one way trip, hence the shuttle required.

    St. Abbs:


    St. Abb's head:


    St. Abb was a 7th century Northumbrian princess, when all of this part of Scotland - up to Edinburgh and beyond - was part of the English Kingdom of Northumbria. She gave her name to the famous rocky headland and to the village, which is a nice wee fishing village, popular with divers.

    Parking at St Abbs harbour. £7 per day.




    Sorting the gear.




    Cheeky gull trying to snaffle my sandwiches!







    Here comes Dave.







    We left the safety of the harbour behind, and headed north towards St. Abb's Head.











    Soon we reached the jagged rocks and inlets of the Head.













    Lobster boat.





    We stopped to explore an interesting looking cave. It was huge, extending some 150 metres under the cliffs.














    At the head of the cave.




    Coming out again.




    Coming up to the lighthouse.




    It was a spectacular bit of coastline, one of the best I've paddled.




























    After the headlands was a long open bay we had to cross, up to the Wheat Stacks and Fast Castle Head.











    It was a long haul, and eventually we stopped for lunch at a stony beach just before Fast Castle.










    The rusted remnants of a shipwreck. There are lots of wrecks along this part of the coast.







    While I was photographing scraps of rusty metal, Dave got a brew on.





    Off again.




    Round the headland the coastline became more indented and vertiginous again.






















    This is all that remains of Fast Castle. Some rather precarious looking walls.

















    Going round some of the more exposed headlands here was "interesting". The wind was quite strong and it was behind us. You had aim carefully and line up to gaps between extended headland and outlying rocks, then surf through with the swell. It was pretty exhilarating, like being picked up by a giant hand and pushed through at high speed. Phew!


    After that we progressed up another long open bay towards Red Rock (!) and Pease bay. At which point a thunderstorm arrived with heavy rain.








    I got thoroughly drenched, but at least stayed warm while paddling along across the endless bay.


    Torness nuclear power station in the distance. The end is nigh.





    Pease Bay. A big caravan site and our journey's end.




    On the beach.













    Dave could carry his craft, but I resorted to my trusty trolley.




    We got the boats loaded onto my car, then headed back to St. Abb's, where we had left Dave's van.

    Wet and tired, but happy.









    So, third time lucky. A long and challenging trip at times, but well worth it. Along some excellent coastline, I would recommend that first stretch to anyone. Would be good to walk along the cliff tops too some time.

    Thanks to Dave for suggesting it, coming along and for the photos of his which I shamelessly nicked. And thanks for a grand 3 days!!

    Cheers.

    Gordon
    :)

    Here comes the future and you can't run from it
    If you've got a blacklist I want to be on it


    Crow Trip Log

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      Aug 20, 2014#2

      Presumably stand up paddling in a thunderstorm is more dangerous than sitting down, especially if you're tall! I think you're both very brave.

      9,7612
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      9,7612

        Aug 20, 2014#3

        Yep - I did worry a wee bit when I saw lightning! SMyikesannim

        Great blog again Gordon. I had an amazing week... Thanks for joining me :D

        6,0511,094
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        6,0511,094

          Aug 20, 2014#4

          Fantastic. You guys are a great team.
          Big Al.

          Only when the last tree has died
          and the last river been poisoned
          and the last fish been caught
          will we realise we cannot eat money.
          ~Cree Indian Proverb

          9,7612
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          9,7612

            Aug 20, 2014#5

            Cheers Al :)

            1,0752
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            1,0752

              Aug 20, 2014#6

              Wow ! Spectacular scenery -some of the best I've seen. You guys are going to be the cause of an influx of paddlers to these areas !
              :Smilie_tent:

              1,1651
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              1,1651

                Aug 21, 2014#7

                good stuff with terrific pics. Especially liked the cave ones

                27K3,045
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                27K3,045

                  Aug 21, 2014#8

                  Another "wow" trip. Quite a few days you had...
                  SMopencanoePaddler,blogger,camper,pyromaniac:

                  Blog: Wilderness is a State of Mind

                  Paddle Points - where to paddle

                  5,45611
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                  5,45611

                    Aug 21, 2014#9

                    I long to go down to the sea again,
                    To the lonely sea and the sky.
                    I might see Crow and Wavecloud there,
                    Serenely paddling by.

                    And if I do, I'll hurry home
                    In eager expectation
                    Of another blog that will enthral
                    The paddling population.

                    Tossed on waves and blown by winds
                    Where few have dared before.
                    Another cracking blog from Crow
                    Which leaves us wanting more! ;)

                    (With apologies to Jane Mansfield.)
                    Juvanile delinkwit, vaguely faffing around with a pair of pliers. Du skal ikke tro at du er bedre end mig!

                    27K3,045
                    Contributing Member
                    27K3,045

                      Aug 21, 2014#10

                      Rockhopper wrote:I long to go down to the sea again,
                      To the lonely sea and the sky.
                      I might see Crow and Wavecloud there,
                      Serenely paddling by.

                      And if I do, I'll hurry home
                      In eager expectation
                      Of another blog that will enthral
                      The paddling population.

                      Tossed on waves and blown by winds
                      Where few have dared before.
                      Another cracking blog from Crow
                      Which leaves us wanting more! ;)

                      (With apologies to Jane Mansfield.)
                      SMhail
                      SMopencanoePaddler,blogger,camper,pyromaniac:

                      Blog: Wilderness is a State of Mind

                      Paddle Points - where to paddle

                      9,7612
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                      9,7612

                        Aug 21, 2014#11

                        Love it Trev! :D

                        6,0511,094
                        Contributing Member
                        6,0511,094

                          Aug 21, 2014#12

                          Rockhopper wrote: (With apologies to Jane Mansfield.)



                          Why?
                          surely you offended John Masefield more than her.........;)
                          Big Al.

                          Only when the last tree has died
                          and the last river been poisoned
                          and the last fish been caught
                          will we realise we cannot eat money.
                          ~Cree Indian Proverb

                          5,45611
                          Member
                          5,45611

                            Aug 21, 2014#13

                            Big Al. wrote: surely you offended John Masefield more than her.........;)
                            What's in a name? That which we call our toes by any other name would smell of feet! ;)
                            Juvanile delinkwit, vaguely faffing around with a pair of pliers. Du skal ikke tro at du er bedre end mig!

                            16K95
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                            16K95

                              Aug 21, 2014#14

                              Rockhopper wrote:I long to go down to the sea again,
                              To the lonely sea and the sky.
                              I might see Crow and Wavecloud there,
                              Serenely paddling by.

                              And if I do, I'll hurry home
                              In eager expectation
                              Of another blog that will enthral
                              The paddling population.

                              Tossed on waves and blown by winds
                              Where few have dared before.
                              Another cracking blog from Crow
                              Which leaves us wanting more! ;)

                              (With apologies to Jane Mansfield.)
                              Big Al. wrote:Why?
                              surely you offended John Masefield more than her.........;)

                              Jayne Mansfield, John Masefield - both great poets and very easy to confuse (I always do!).



                              Jayne Mansfield.....................................John Masefield


                              The best way to tell them apart, is to remember that Mansfield is the one who famously had a bra designed for her by Howard Hughes, while Masefield didn't.

                              (But he did write some fine sea poems.)


                              Anyway, whatever the provenance, an excellent poem, Trev!! It is an honour! Best poem I have ever read about me and Wavecloud!!

                              I would reply in verse but I need my tea first.

                              Many thanks. :)

                                Aug 21, 2014#15

                                Castle Jester wrote:Presumably stand up paddling in a thunderstorm is more dangerous than sitting down, especially if you're tall! I think you're both very brave.
                                Ha. Not if you have a titanium lightning conductor welded to your collarbone, like what I have! Still, can't be worse than ECT...

                                But thank you, CJ. :)

                                Here comes the future and you can't run from it
                                If you've got a blacklist I want to be on it


                                Crow Trip Log

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                                  Aug 22, 2014#16

                                  Another superb trip guys... tired me out just reading this series of blogs ;)

                                  At least Dave had the priorities sorted whilst you were photographing the shipwrecks! Everyone knows, it's tea first...and then whatever else needs to be done ;)
                                  If I could only paddle like a doggie oughta paddle

                                  9,7612
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                                  9,7612

                                    Aug 22, 2014#17

                                    BaldMan Jump wrote: it's tea first...and then whatever else needs to be done ;)
                                    Totally :)

                                    16K95
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                                    16K95

                                      Aug 22, 2014#18

                                      BaldMan Jump wrote:Another superb trip guys... tired me out just reading this series of blogs ;)

                                      At least Dave had the priorities sorted whilst you were photographing the shipwrecks! Everyone knows, it's tea first...and then whatever else needs to be done ;)
                                      You're quite right, BMJ.

                                      But there is another reason why our respective modi operandi differ. Dave has been standing all day on his board and welcomes a chance to sit down when we stop. Whereas I've been on my bum all the time in the boat, and like to stretch my legs and explore when we land.

                                      Which is handy for me, as it means he gets the kettle on, while I get to wander lonely as a cloud!

                                      Team work! :)

                                      Here comes the future and you can't run from it
                                      If you've got a blacklist I want to be on it


                                      Crow Trip Log

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                                      3,017140

                                        Aug 22, 2014#19

                                        It's a great bit of coast, even a there and back trip from Coldingham or St Abbs to Pettico Wick (for tea/lunch) is great - on a calm day you can spend a long time exploring caves and rockhopping, on a day with a bit of swell you paddle a bit further out and listen to the waves booming inside the caves....

                                        Teamwork is key - if I go multi day sea kayaking with my dad (we usually pair up for cooking within a bigger group) it is usually in spring when the days are short and it gets cold quite quick. Our routine is: get ashore and find a camp spot, I break out the stove and start brewing tea and cooking whilst he pitches his tent behind me so I can shuffle back into the shelter as necessary..... Once cooking is under way I pitch my own tent and get changed, by which time he has changed and gone exploring for fresh water and firewood.
                                        Looks like Dave and Gordon have a similar instinct....

                                        How hard can it be?

                                        9,7612
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                                        9,7612

                                          Aug 22, 2014#20

                                          Crow wrote:You're quite right, BMJ.

                                          But there is another reason why our respective modi operandi differ. Dave has been standing all day on his board and welcomes a chance to sit down when we stop. Whereas I've been on my bum all the time in the boat, and like to stretch my legs and explore when we land.

                                          Which is handy for me, as it means he gets the kettle on, while I get to wander lonely as a cloud!

                                          Team work! :)
                                          So true.. When I'm in one of my canoes, a break means standing and stretching legs, it's the complete opposite when out on SUP :)

                                            Aug 22, 2014#21

                                            I usually pitch my tent last. After setting up poncho tarp and kitchen :)

                                            27K3,045
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                                            27K3,045

                                              Aug 22, 2014#22

                                              wavecloud wrote:I usually pitch my tent last. After setting up poncho tarp and kitchen :)
                                              And opening the Guinness...
                                              SMopencanoePaddler,blogger,camper,pyromaniac:

                                              Blog: Wilderness is a State of Mind

                                              Paddle Points - where to paddle

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                                              9,7612

                                                Aug 22, 2014#23

                                                Mal Grey wrote:And opening the Guinness...
                                                Oh yea.... Guinness too :)

                                                16K95
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                                                16K95

                                                  Aug 22, 2014#24

                                                  andre wrote:Wow ! Spectacular scenery -some of the best I've seen. You guys are going to be the cause of an influx of paddlers to these areas !
                                                  It's a great bit of coastline, but people often whizz past it on the way to somewhere else.

                                                  We are spoilt when it comes to paddling places in this country. :)

                                                  Here comes the future and you can't run from it
                                                  If you've got a blacklist I want to be on it


                                                  Crow Trip Log

                                                  9,7612
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                                                    Aug 22, 2014#25

                                                    Yeah - most folk hurry past, to Edinburgh, West or further north. That's what I like about it! You should see the surf it has to offer! Some of the best wave in Europe are in East Lothian!

                                                    27K3,045
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                                                    27K3,045

                                                      Aug 22, 2014#26

                                                      Crow wrote:
                                                      We are spoilt when it comes to paddling places in this country. :)
                                                      This is SO true!
                                                      SMopencanoePaddler,blogger,camper,pyromaniac:

                                                      Blog: Wilderness is a State of Mind

                                                      Paddle Points - where to paddle

                                                      9,7612
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                                                        Aug 23, 2014#27

                                                        I think he means the 'other' country Mal? :rolleyes: :)

                                                        27K3,045
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                                                        27K3,045

                                                          Aug 23, 2014#28

                                                          wavecloud wrote:I think he means the 'other' country Mal? :rolleyes: :)
                                                          Still true! For both sides of the "wall".

                                                          (Anyway, technically still the same nation for at least another month!)
                                                          SMopencanoePaddler,blogger,camper,pyromaniac:

                                                          Blog: Wilderness is a State of Mind

                                                          Paddle Points - where to paddle

                                                          9,7612
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                                                            Aug 24, 2014#29

                                                            What's happening in a month then??? :D

                                                            16K95
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                                                            16K95

                                                              Aug 24, 2014#30

                                                              wavecloud wrote:I think he means the 'other' country Mal? :rolleyes: :)
                                                              How do you know that Mal didn't mean the same country as me??

                                                              Anyway, your country is very nice too. :)

                                                              Here comes the future and you can't run from it
                                                              If you've got a blacklist I want to be on it


                                                              Crow Trip Log

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                                                                Aug 25, 2014#31

                                                                Very true :)

                                                                16K95
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                                                                16K95

                                                                  Aug 26, 2014#32

                                                                  wavecloud wrote:What's happening in a month then??? :D
                                                                  Three weeks now.

                                                                  So they tell me. Not that I've been paying any attention. SMwhistle

                                                                  Here comes the future and you can't run from it
                                                                  If you've got a blacklist I want to be on it


                                                                  Crow Trip Log

                                                                  9,7612
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                                                                  9,7612

                                                                    Aug 27, 2014#33

                                                                    Seems most folk doon here havn't got a clue!!

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                                                                      Geology

                                                                      Sep 11, 2014#34

                                                                      On this paddle, Dave was explaining to me that the rocks we passed on the coast here at Siccar Point inspired James Hutton to become the "Father of Modern Geology".

                                                                      I forgot about that until today, when I saw a panel about him (Hutton not Wavecloud!) in the Great Tapestry of Scotland (currently on display in the Parliament building):






                                                                      You were right, Dave!

                                                                      :)

                                                                      Here comes the future and you can't run from it
                                                                      If you've got a blacklist I want to be on it


                                                                      Crow Trip Log

                                                                      9,7612
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                                                                      9,7612

                                                                        Sep 11, 2014#35

                                                                        A Superorganism! :D