The next installment for ExPix in May 2007 was a trip to the Western Ilses of the Hebrides's, Barra.  As soon as the BKSA competition had ended, the Turbulence Angels; Zoe, Joharra, and Cheryl,  Turbulence Team rider Marizu and I set off from Barrow to Barra in convoy. We were to meet up with more of the Turbulence team in Oban swelling the convoy from 3 to  7 vehicles and 14 riders. See how we got on for 5 days in the hebrides .

The Journey

Zoe, Joharra, Cheryl, Marizu and myself left Barrow around 4.30p.m. for the drive to Oban. Bad weather on the M6 slowed us down a little along with the Angels Bongo which was heavily laden with three girls, 2 dogs and kit for 9 days. Having run around all weekend sorting kit, trying to compete, being interviewed, dealing with press ...you get the picture everyone was a little tired. So we found a spot on the banks of Loch Lomond to settle for the night.

The  following morning we were awoken by bright sunshine and a gentle breeze, just enough for the Angels to fly their new 3.3 sting above the Loch, with a gorgeous backdrop of hills and fluffy clouds and the hotel which looked more like a castle. We had to be in Oban for 3.30p.m. where we would meet the rest of the Turbulence team who were making the trip that morning from Llandudno, a 7 hour drive.

Well we arrived safely in Oban with approx 1.5hrs to spare, the rest of the team hadn't got there yet but arrived shortly afterwards and with the formalities over we boarded the Ferry for Barra.

Discussions about what kit to use, the beaches, conditions etc were all part of the topics until Tall Paul saw a pod of porpoise. With all hell breaking loose people rushed to the deck to get a better view of the pod as they jumped along side the ferry

Tuesday

The next morning we rose around 6 - 7. I was on the beach paddling in crystal clear water looking for view points to take pictures whilst others were making breakfast and generally waking up.

During a guided trip around the Island in the morning we were treated to viewing some of the most beautiful beaches I have seen. The Hebrides are very strange places, at first glance looking bleak and unwelcoming but once you start to explore they open the doors to a plethora of amazing sites and experiences. Whilst some of the team went to the Airport beach, a few of us headed to the local fish factory to purchase some of the local produce for a BBQ that we were going to have that evening.

Scallops and prawns were on the menu , it was amazing to see the quality and freshness of the produce...... I couldn't wait for the BBQ.

There was a gentle breeze at the airport beach and once the plane had taken off the wind sock was lowered and the beach was open for general use. This is Europe's only sand runway and the beach is massive with hard white sand. The depth is negligible for some way and this makes it perfect for speed kiting and land kiting with huge expanses when the tide is out.

With the wind failing to  materialise, something that was beginning to become very frustrating especially after the weekends competition in Barrow, I took the Angels to the dunes and rocks on West beach by the Airport for a photo shoot taking natural shots of them wearing their new gear from new sponsors Protest. Fellow photographer Debbie Scottson also took some pictures as the girls ran down the dunes trying their best not to fall or look silly.

With a small amount of land kite flying, sand sculpting, dune jumping and log climbing, the clouds started to form and the we headed back to the camp site for food. It was later than we thought. Lighting the BBQ at around 8.00p.m. people started to "drop" very quickly and headed for bed.

Wednesday

The day started badly with low level cloud and sea mist dampening everyones enthusiasm as we'd hoped for better conditions for the days itinerary. Today we were visiting 3 schools on the Island where the Turbulence team were demonstrating the kit and allowing the children a hands on experience with the kites, boards and buggies.

The first school; the largest on the Island had a nice sports hall and we set up inside. The children loved pumping up bladders for the kites and trying on harnesses or riding on the buggies and boards. It was a great success as little faces lit up at the new experience. It was very strange to think that very few had experience power kite as the Hebrides are probably the windiest parts in the UK.

After visiting another two schools; one where we managed to put the whole school on one flexifoil buggy (there are only 7 children at the school) we rushed to the west beach by the airport as the wind had arrived. Unfortunately it  wasn't strong  enough as Marizu and Cheryl desperately tried to get going. Some people just don't know when they're beaten and the Turbulence Crew are definitely in this ilk, never giving up and always making the most of any situation no matter what it may be.

We headed back with an enormous amount of flotsam and jetsom that the girls had collected. It was hidden in the back of Adams van much to his annoyance as the smell was rather ........ interesting.

The evening meal was again provided by Nick and Kay ..or should I say Kay whilst Nick talked his way around the group. A fantastic couple who provided the perfect hopsitality with breakfasts, lunches, and evening meals alongside a veritable feast of knowledge about the Island.

Thursday

The wind appeared around 10ish and a quick dash for the kites resulted in the worst moment of the trip ...especially for Mr Rob Hills. Rob the amazing Flexifoil buggier decided to try and jump from the top of the dunes down to the beach a drop of around 30ft (approx 10m). The first attempt went without a hitch, however being a little more confident, he tried to loop the kite on the second. The kite wouldn't loop!. Robs trajectory changed from a  gentle gradient to a downward drop. Like a stone he hit the ground on his back axle bending the reinforced steel! He also cracked a rib or two, so the local surgery told him, he definately had the pain and lack of movement a cracked rib produces.  He slept most of the day trying to mask the pain and to restrict his movement.

The ferry for Tiree left around 3p.m. with the wind building, the prospect of a session on Tiree looked promising.  Meeting up with other kiters on Tiree, Helen Thompson, British Ams Champion for 2006 and currently leading the womens pro tour in 2007, 2005 Pro champ Dave Ibby, Taro Niehaus from SA and Murray Aldrich the guys went for a session at Crossapol.

The wind slowly died as the sun made an appearance and after an hour they couldn't ride anymore. Time to find the campsite and accommodation.

Friday

The wind appeared early and with some strength. Gusting up to 40knots it was too strong to go out, the vans were rocking and the tents were flattened.

I left for the ferry hugely disappointed. The ferry ran with the wind behind it, a force 6 pushing us to Coll and then to Oban, on the way back I didn't see the pods of porpoise again instead there were fulmars and gannets and a basking shark lazing around on the surface.

Contemplating the trip and what I had and hadn't photographed, I decided that I had to go back again.This trip had promised so much, good company and food, fantastic scenery, but just no wind..... I will get my pictures of  kiters in the Hebridies its such a beautiful place with a surprise around every corner.

Thanks go out to Team Turbulence for inviting me along, and Barra Power Kite School namely Nick and Kay for their hospitality and to the Angels who looked after me whilst  kite mum wasn't there!!!