It has been a very long time since I have been in a kayak – probably on Mull about 20 years ago. We had three of them at the house and all the kit and the three of us decided to go for a pre breakfast paddle before the rest of the house woke up.
The loch was like a millpond when we set out and the sun was rising from
behind the snowy hills which formed an amphitheatre around use. As we cross the loch we lloked behind us to see three curious seals following us. Their heads bobbing up to and coming closer to us.
Fish eagles nest on the island and although we didn’t see them while we were kayaking, they were seen from the by window of the house. Being on the water gives a different angle from which to view the hills and the village. And if you look down, the water is so clear you can see all the way to the bottom.
Sheildaig is a fantastic, peaceful (except the constant thrum of the fish farm), beautiful place to have a break from the dirty air and noise of Shanghai.
By the time I jumped on the minibus back to Inverness I felt my reprogramming had started well. I was already feeling more normal and relaxed.
The women on the bus were mostly going to a swimming club in Dingwall specialising in those with arthiritis. They were friendly but not curious about we which makes a change.