River Loy, 29th September 2009

Callum and I went for a quick blast down the Loy, which was, remarkably, the first time I had actually ever paddled it!

A pretty run in need of a bit of pruning work!!

Spean Gorge, 28th September 2009

After getting back from Loch Cluanie, Stephen arrived, wanting to try out his new Ammo Creek boat, so he and I went for a blast down the Spean Gorge at 2.25 on gauge. Nice playful level.

Here Stephen runs through Fairy Steps, somewhat washed out.

Allt a Chaorainn Mhoir, 28th September 2009

Callum and I were driving out past Loch Cluanie towards Kyle and both remarked on the valley that drops in on the north side. We looked over the bridge and were well impressed by what we saw so decided to carry boats up and have a go. What a run it turned out to be! A classic steep Scottish burn.

Even the initial part of the run which had looked quite gently sloping turned out to be steeper than we had thought, but that was nothing compared to what was coming!!

Callum scouts the top of "Dragonslayer", an awesome multiple cascade.

To my astonishment he decides to go for it right from the top..............!

After skeltering over the rocks he lands it perfectly and jammily manages to ease back into an eddy rather than get flushed through the mid section.

.....then it is over a slab and accelerating away to slay the bottom half of the dragon!!

Chris running the final falls on Dragonslayer.

Looking back at Dragonslayer, run by the top right chute by Callum!

Chris runs through the top drop on Falls of Mordor

and powers into the first hole...............

.....before getting pinned for a few seconds in the final slot.............

and then mercifully spat out towards the fearsome undercut on river left, and miraculously escaped upright having been kicked back to centre river by a hole under the roof..mmmm!

Callum stroking to the lip of Rowan Tree Falls

........ and Chris lifts off at same falls.

and bounces out...............

which leads to a series of drops, the next significant of which is.............

...Hobbit Falls, which has a sting in the tail where a boil and squeeze grabs your boat on landing!

...then a nice boof over "Gandalf Falls............ wonderful creeking

Chris follows over the same falls.

....and into the maw of "Gollum"
which all goes sweetly until you land and then get sieved by the fence of rocks that lie just under the surface and guard the exit right. I got turned over in the edge of the fall and felt my body wrapped on a boulder which allowed me to turn back up and heave myself clear all at the same time. Tricky stuff.

No rest, soon after the main road bridge looms and right after is Buttkicker Falls which is much harder and more serious than it looks at first, being a screaming left turn where the water pours down onto a frightening boulder on the right, waiting to cream you if you don't miss it, which I did not!!! Oh Oh!!







Ouch! Callum looked at it good and hard and still hit the boulder a glancing blow.

We both finished the river with a great deal of respect for it.


A final double drop, "Frodo" leads to easier water and the loch.

End of a magnificent grade 5 run (5+ if you run Dragonslayer from the top!)

Wonder if anyone else has ever done it? Nobody that we know about.

Eastern Hills, 27th September 2009

Made a visit to the Food Festival at Cawdor Castle and drove back via the Findhorn and over Darva Moor and through Speyside in brilliant sunshine.

Windermere 22nd September 2009

Tuesday was very windy indeed so we took the canoe down to Windermere. All of us paddled in the canoe at different times. Chris here with Anna. Paddled around the head of the lake and up into the mouth of the Brathay river.

Before Nikita and Anna left to head south, they cooked a beautiful Russian soup for lunch.

We had a very pleasant picnic by the lake. Chris and Sally then headed north.

Walking on Grange Fell, 21st September 2009

Climbed up through Troutdale from Shepherd's Crag on a windy and showery day.

The autumn colours were just beginning to get going. The woods are very beautiful.

Eventually the walk climbs onto heathery and rocky moorland with great views.

Sally, Anna, Nikita and I walked across eventually to Watendlath. Sunny by now!

The beautiful wee bridge at Watendlath village.

Chris jogged back to Shepherds for the car.

Derwentwater - Canoe 20th September 2009

Drove north from Wrynose via Blea Tarn and Langdale (seen here) which looked a picture in the early autumn sunshine, There was a half and full marathon taking place as we passed through the valley. Seemed like quite a hot and dry day to be running a marathon.

Arrived at the Camping Club site outside Keswick and set up camp.

Derwentwater was particularly lovely that evening so we opted for a paddle.
Out in the canoe, with the sun dropping towards the western hills.
As evening fell the wind suddenly dropped very light. Sail boats started to motor in.

We had a meal of fresh trout when Nikita and Anna arrived and.................................

............................... a little Bowmore!!