Well, after several days of continuous wind and rain, with flood warnings in force, there was pretty limited interest in this paddle. However the forecast said the rain was going to stop mid-afternoon, so being optimistic I went ahead. I was slightly regretting the decision when it was still pretty miserable come lunchtime – however as forecast (for once!) the wind dropped and the rain stopped. I wouldn’t say we were treated to a glorious sunset, but Mark, Graham and I managed a nice gentle paddle in the dry!
Launching at the Hawes pier, we headed west up the Forth under the 3 bridges (my first time under the new bridge!) up to Hopetoun where we crossed over to have a look at the aircraft carrier in the docks. There was a slightly concern at one point that a large ship moving pretty rapidly looked like it was going to cut the corner and go outside of the channel, so we chilled out beside a channel mark until it was passed – we figured they would go one side or the other of the channel mark. It did turn and follow the channel after all.
We had a good look at the Aircraft carrier (from outside the docks), very much bedecked in tarpaulin and scaffolding, and then headed back along the North side of the Forth (by now into the tide ☹). We stopped for a break on a slipway with rails below a disused looking hut. There was some speculation around what it was for, given the harbour is just around the corner. Anyone know?
Then it was back across the South Queensferry, back at about 10ish. All in all a very enjoyable paddle – thanks for coming Mark and Graham!