The CANI Rams Island Trip – 24th/25th August to Ram’s Island, on Lough Neagh, was another roaring success! Eleven intrepid paddlers set off on Saturday morning for an overnight camp on the island (we also had four sea kayakers join us for the first day), aptly supported by Coaches and Leaders from CAPS and BKC. The weather was good, the company was even better and all were in good spirits when we set off from the Sandy Bay Marina near Crumlin.
Ram’s Island is an excellent location for a paddle and an overnight, it has an onshore sheltered side and a more exposed side, so plenty to interest paddlers of all abilities (we even had some people poling and sailing on Sunday!). After leaving Sandy Bay we paddled North along the bay and found a great, hidden spot to rest and have lunch before heading off to the island to set up camp. When we got to the Island we were treated to some really great hospitality from Michael, the Warden, who helped us move our gear to the camp site and even gave tours of the Island, which is steeped in history; he’s a minefield of local and botanical knowledge and really passionate about the Island – thanks again Michael!
Sunday morning made for a lazy wake up to the smell of bacon and pancakes – Glamping CANI-style! The weather on Sunday was good so all opted for a leisurely paddle around the outside of the island before heading back to Sandy Bay. Apart from the annual Turkey Paddle, this was my first time on a camping Rec Paddle with CANI but it definitely won’t be my last! We all had a great night’s craic with embarrassing and tall stories from our resident Rec Planning committee, a fire lighting demonstration from a scout leader and toasted Marshmallows. The group was an exciting mixture of people from teenagers to those who think they’re still teenagers! Thanks guys for being such a great group of paddlers and for making this trip such a success. Trips like this are what memories are made off!
