Canoe with a View : : Canadian Open Canoe forum

Got back late last night from a few days up at Loch Goil. We were blessed with sunshine and flat calm waters one day and torrential downpours and gale force winds the next, a typical Scottish mixed bag.

Our usual camp back on Loch Long had been trashed recently, we found a folding camp chair next to a couple of rubbish bags full of beer bottles and food waste. A bit of a half job lean-to had been built and left, maybe the fact it was built on a stream bed put them off ?
There were also bottles hanging from tree branches which had been used for target practice, we found some of these on a previous visit so somebody else must enjoy this spot too. Why trash it then ?

A combination of the damp and long day yesterday has knocked me for six, a severe dose of man flu I had brewing has now taken full control. So now I'm sat at home feeling sorry for myself with bags of damp gear I need to unpack but I just don't have the energy or enthusiasm to tackle it.

A few pics then ...

View from camp on night one




At home under the "Big Oak"


I was up first as usual so crept around camp like a mouse for an hour, got topped up on caffeine with my new Gsi coffee contraption and then grabbed the boat and went off for an hour while the others slept.



"Big Oak" just right of centre



We decided to go and gather some firewood from the forestry down the loch a few hundred yards.
Grooveski getting a boat load



Gailainne happy to be out


Stuart away for a bit of fishing


Some shots around camp




Gailainne gutting a mackie from yesterdays paddle in, very tasty it was too



Later in the afternoon the heavens opened and it didn't stop raining all night. We had a giggle trying to get the 'chute up before the storm, I think I won the prize for throwing the rock-on-a-rope over a branch contest
The camera went away for the rest of Saturday whilst we huddled round the fire, there was that much rain the inside of the 'chute walls were like rivers. It kept off 99% off the rain though and inside became a weird mix of wood smoke and fine mizzle. An early'ish night was had by all.

When I woke for the first time on Sunday, the rain was still battering my bivvie just inches above my face and the wind was still as strong. I lay there dozing for ten minutes or so and then had to get up for a morning constitutional.
After I got layered up I crawled under the sorry looking 'chute and made a quick brew with the kelly kettle, sorry if I woke you with my clanging Stu
Once warmed up I set about sorting the guy lines on the 'chute, dropping the sides down and generally getting it straight after the overnight storm.

Grooveski poked his head out of his bivvie at some point and just laughed at the chop on the water and disappeared back inside again. We didn't see him again for a couple of hours or so.

Dreich

and windy too








We had a few visitors on Sunday, mostly MOD Police checking us out but this was far more pleasing on the eye. Can't remember the name though, Stu/Josh remind me ??


As the day went on we were getting used to the idea that we might be stuck here on the point for an extra night, then around five o'clock it was like somebody flicked a switch and it all went calm again. So in no great hurry we got our stuff together and got ready for the crossing back to Loch Long.

'Chute looking a bit drier







More pics from the other guys .... http://www.bushcraftuk.com/forum/showthread.php?t=59004

Fantastic TT and pictures Shewie only marred by the thought of the tw@s who trashed the campsite

would a dose of Grangers help the 'chute?

Cheers
Tim

(12-07-10 04:00 PM)Tim Wrote: [ -> ]Fantastic TT and pictures Shewie only marred by the thought of the tw@s who trashed the campsite

would a dose of Grangers help the 'chute?

Cheers
Tim

Cheers Tim

I reckon the Grangers would help it along but it's how to get it on there that could be the problem. To be fair they're normally very good for shedding the rain if you get the angle right. Somebody mentioned the forecast was for 17mm of rain at nine o'clock, it felt more like 17m when it came down.

A most excellent TT Rich. Thanks

Hi Shewie,

Loved the Blog and the photo's as always...

It's trips like that that make it...., my mouth was watering at the sight of the Mackerel being gutted... mmmmm....

I'll have to join you one weekend if you don't mind....

Thanks for shareing,

Cheers
Red.

(12-07-10 07:36 PM)redframe Wrote: [ -> ]I'll have to join you one weekend if you don't mind....

No problem at all Red, it'll be good to have you along

As usual an excellent and enjoyable TT and superb photos Ric. Thanks for sharing your trip with us.

Love the use of the chute even if it does look like Bill(Canalvoyageur) has just dropped in

Oh and you can count me for a trip out too!

Nige
(catching up with posting)

We'll have to get something arranged Nige, have you got any plans to head north later in the year ?

A nice autumn trip somewhere would be good

I've got my heart set on doing a trip to one of the lochs (closer to the border than further north) as I've not yet managed get north of the border yet, and seeings how this year so far has been somewhat of a canoeing drought, planning something ahead for autumn could be just the ticket. If we can come up with a date and venue so I can book the time off then I'm in!



Nige.

(13-07-10 07:07 PM)Nige Wrote: [ -> ]......closer to the border than further north.....

We could always share a car, and go a bit further....

Cheers
Red.

beautiful part of the country.I am heading that way this weekend.

It was the Waverley, last ocean going paddle steamer in the world.

If you carry on around the corner past the confluence of the lochs, Stuckbeg has a grassy camping area, midge hell last time I was there though.

Nick