Riff Bank South cardinal buoy - keep to the South from here to avoid the hazard, that is the Riff Bank, a sandbank in the Moray Firth. Most sea-going traffic keeps to wider North channel, but for me in a sea kayak that only requires mere inches of depth, no problem... unless it's rough, when it's best to keep clear altogether, of the confusion of waves that can arise.

Paddle from Chanonry Point, over the firth to Fort George, then kept well out in the channel and firth on the way to Whiteness Head, and the former Ardersier oil construction yard. Had to keep well out on the way, as the red flags were flying at the Fort George shooting ranges - much safer to keep well clear when that's going on...

Being well out meant it was easier to keep clear of the sand spit that runs out at Whiteness Head. At low water there can be large numbers of seals hauled up there, and I try to avoid disturbing them. Decided to head even further out and visit the above buoy, before heading for the bank that forms part of the long narrow lagoon where the fabrication yard used to be. Loads of wild flowers there, including a huge patch of wild pansies.

On the return journey the tide had covered that sand spit, and the seals had all floated off. Some were still asleep, and "bottling" - bobbing along like a bottle, with their noses above the surface. They can be quiet easy to sneak up on when like this (ask any Eskimo), but I resisted the temptation... on this occasion. The awake ones are often inquisitive, and a few came a bit closer for a look at the strange craft, and person propelling it. Am quite used to being followed by them, and a wee tip if you should want to catch a photo of them - turn around and paddle backwards. At least you'll be facing them when they do surface. Then again I didn't do that for the curious ones that came by on this day.