Orkney cock-up

[Mark R]

Embarrassing tale from 2009....

http://southwestseakayaking.co.uk/2012/ ... reen-holm/

[Colin C]

Hi Mark
You were not the first to do it, nor do I think you will be the last. We had paddled up to North Ronaldsy in the late 80's and were on our way back to the mainland, when we set out to do the same crossing. We knew that there was a race there but totally underestimated it.The boat was bouncing all over the place, and it scared the living daylights out of us all. The group was split in two when we pulled into the eddies behind the island Muckle Green Holm. I still remember the pleasure of lighting up a cigarette when we landed, even after 25 odd years of not smoking. We camped on the island till the next day, and continued over, thankfully it was a lovely calm day. I do remember the sound of sea birds all night, as the island was covered with ground nesting gulls, who had young at the time. I think that crossing is indelibly etched in my mind as one of my most scary crossings ever.
Its strange that the exact same thing occurred to you.

Colin

[Mark R]

Thanks for sharing!

Some interesting info here...
http://www.emec.org.uk/tidal_site.asp

There are some pics of the tidal test site here, but be warned (if you've just eaten, etc) there are also images of Scotland's First Minister.
http://www.emec.org.uk/gallery.asp?ID=15