Boating in the sun!

A few days of canoeing and kayaking in the May sunshine. Assessing some new White Water Kayak Leaders and some evening fun out with the canoe club.

 Evening paddle down the Lyon and Tay back to Aberfeldy

 The sun dropping on the Tay

 The sun still providing some heat late into the evening

 Roger and Jo

 Sunset colours on the trees

Arriving in Aberfeldy with the sun dropping in the West

 Ready for some assessing

 Roger playing on the 'Campsie Linn' rapid on the River Tay

 Roger on the weir

 Big ferry glides from Ray

 Roger surfing

 Hard at work assessing!!

 See!

 Ray getting his surf on

 Selfie?

Selfie surf

Great Day On The Water

River Tummel laps, River Tay laps and coaching the 'Little Rippers' in the evening.

 Ray on the top drop of the 'Linn' on the River Tummel

 And on the bottom drop

 How many boats! Little Rippers Club

 Evening sun

 Team ' Little Rippers'

Ferry Glides, Break In's and out's = Happy Little Rippers!

River Spey Expedition

Just back from the first expedition on the River Spey. Super sunny weather, great water levels and a superb team. 

This wonderful Scottish river trip descends the famous River Spey passing a through pine forests, heather-covered hills and Scotland’s most celebrated whisky region.The canoeing is easy at first but becomes more challenging as we travel downstream through several rapids. It is not just the character of the river which changes – the pine forests take on a new character with each season. These forests are home to a diverse range of wildlife including red deer and capercaillie, and there’s always the chance of spotting golden eagles and other large birds of prey overhead.

 Kitting up on day one at Aviemore

 Lunch stop on day 1

 Flat sections on day 1 down to camp 1 at Boat of Balliefurth

 Matthew and Rachel 

 Follow the leader

 Clouds are clearing

 Cruising towards end of day 2

 Bridge at Cragganmore

 Boats resting at camp 2 below the 'Washing Machine' rapid

 Team resting at camp 2

 Me waiting for for the team to come through the 'Knockando' rapid

 Carron Bridge

 Dream Guide Team!

 Camp 3

 Camp 3

 Team photo at 'Spey Bay' marks the end of the River as it meets the sea

 Photo by Grant

 Photo by Grant

 Photo by Grant

 Photo by Grant

 Photo by Grant

 Photo by Grant

 Photo by Grant

 Photo by Grant

Photo by Grant

West is Best!

Really lovely couple of days away with Helen in the van on the West Coast. With two days of sunshine forecast the shorts and sun cream were packed for the first time in 2018. Day 1 had a fantastic walk on the coast from Ganavan Sands to Dunstaffnage Castle and back. This excellent circuit with a rugged but beautiful coastal walk with great views. The route then visits the dramatic dunstaffnage Castle before returning by following the cycle path.

 Ganavan Sands Beach

 Looking towards Mull

 Winston was happy!

 Looking North towards Benderloch

 Beginning to climb away from the coast

 Looking down at Camas Fish Farm

 Camas Rubha Bay

 Helen's happy place!

 Approaching Dunstaffnage Castle

 Dunstaffnage Castle

Helen looking out at Eilean Mor

Back to the start along The Caledonia Way Cycle Path Route 78

Chilling in the van in the sun

Day 2 we headed to 'Bridge over The Atlantic' walk. This enjoyable circuit heads from the Bridge over the Atlantic at the north end of Seil to the delightful Phuilladobhrain Anchorage, a good place for birdwatching and otter spotting. This is then followed by a rougher coastal walk (difficult at highest tides) to Camuslaich before returning by the road.

 Otters Pool

 Looking towards Mull

 Sunny again

 Looking out over Balvicar Bay

 Stood on Clachan Bridge looking up Clachan Sound

Clachan Bridge

We then headed in to Oban for some lunch followed by a walk around the town.

 Looking through the sound of Kerrera

World War One memorial for the Oban soldiers who lost their lives during the Great War. In later times fallen from World War Two and one from the Falkland War have been added to the memorial.

 McCaig's Tower. Built in 1897 by local banker John Stuart McCaig, the aim of the tower was to provide work for local stonemasons and a lasting monument to the McCaig family.

 The hills over on Mull

 Winston!

 Kerrera and Mull

 Overlooking Oban's distillery 

Oban Town

Day 3 saw us heading back inland and home, stopping off for two more walks. The first at Fearnoch, There are dramatic views to Ben Cruachan, Argyll’s highest mountain form here just not today! And the second at Strone Hill, Strone Hill woods are a fine remnant oakwood almost hidden by the surrounding forestry of Glen Lochy. Finally a bite to eat in the 'Real Food Cafe' in Tyndrym

 No sun today and Helen had her hat on

 Strartng to look like summer in the forest

 Winston leading the way

 Following the way marked path

 Waterfall on the River Lochy

Ahhhhhhh eating time