Living the dream

A highland existence interspersed with regular travels and running a charity in Nepal

Nevache, France Oct 2011

Made a flying visit via Milan to Anthony and Jan's in Nevache, Val Claree, above Briancon.

Enjoyed three days climbing with Anthony in perfect weather.

First day was on a crag on way up to Lauteret Pass.

Climbed a 5 pitch route on limestone, up to French 5c.

Anthony leading off on 5b first pitch.

Anthony arriving at a stance.......and leading up the steep wall (5c)

Anthony and Jan's home in Nevache.

The 9 pitch Suoux de Bouc at Ailfroide, with two stiff 5c pitches to start.

Supercrack 5c at Prelles, a quartzite series of single pitch crags.

Chris leading a 5b line at Prelles.

Val Claree at Nevache.

5 Star Training Oct 6-7 2011

Graham and David came on a 5 Star Training and first day we had a high water run on the Pattack, quite pushy water, followed by a Roy Gorge run on day two in sunshine.

Here David is running the "gutter" line on Wish You Were Here, below Graham on same rapid.


Graham runs the final drop of Achavady Falls below the portage.

The guys heading into the Box Canyon drop, a fierce slot.

New jammed tree at the Pillars of Hercules exit to the gorge.

Looks like it will be there for a while.


France Sept/Oct 2011

Went with Sally by car to Ariege in France to stay with Stefan and Carol.

Immaculate weather made swimming and alfresco lunches the order of the day.

Once Sally had flown back to Scotland from Carcassonne I drove north through the Cevennes and based myself for a few days in the Tarn valley, exploring the surrounding area in hot hot weather.

Brousse le chateau above.

Broquies.
The astonishing viaduct at Millau across the Tarn.

Saint-Rome du Tarn

Saint Veran in Dourbie.

The ancient town of Najac in the Aveyron Valley.

La Rochelle on route to Brittany to see Steve Pitcher for a couple of days.

Saint Valery en Caux on the English Channel, a final swim before heading back into the UK via the Dunkirk ferry.

Advanced Whitewater Safety & Rescue N Esk 10-11 Sept 2011

Ran a BCU AWWSR course at North Esk over weekend. First day the river rose 4 feet in just a few hours, making "scenarios" difficult to pose and somewhat exciting. By Sunday morning the river had returned to more normal levels and a fine trip illustrating safe paddling was had.

Daryn runs first on the fall near end of the first gorge.

Mike on the same fall.

Harry enjoying his time as a resuer!!

Daryn exiting the narrows after the triple step rapid.

Eddie heads towards another narrows watched by Harry.

Thanks for coming along guys and a special thanks to Harry and Jackie for their kind hospitality overnight.

Guiding on rivers 6-9 Sept 2011

4 days guiding with Steve and Alan, paddling Spean, Roy (above), Garry (below) and Loy


Summer Kayak Tour 27-29 Aug 2011

The 2011 Summer paddle tour brought together Simon Frost, Kevin Dudley and Gordon Barker for an enjoyable three days of paddling on 5 different river sections.

For a first morning warm up we paddled the Middle Spean grade 2(3).

Above Simon tries the main drop and Gordon below enjoys a more successful outcome.

Afternoon of day one was a descent of Spean Gorge at a nice flow. Grade 3 (4-/5)

Kevin showing his prowess in the Topolino, increasingly rare these days!

On day two we went to the Tummel 3/4 and then in the afternoon ran the Garry gorge through
Killiecrankie and Soldier's Leap, a grade 2/3(5P).

The Tummel is a small release from the Clunie dam, down to Linn of Tummel.

The Tummel sports a number of interesting chutes and drops.

This fast chute towards a picket fence of sharp rocks caught Simon out a wee bit.

He did well, and extricated himself to the river bank.

Final event of the Tummel run is Linn of Tummel a tricky double drop. Here one of the commercial rafts takes a run down.

The Garry was high when we got there with floodwater from the Tilt and made for a challenging run with two portages for the team. Dog Leg falls was probably a 5. Chris ran and got pretty well thumped before rolling up downstream.
The final day was spent on the River Awe where a fun time was had polishing skills and surfing before meeting a cousin of Nessie near the takeout!!



Diving at Strome Ferry, Loch Carron 22-23 Aug 11


Scuba dived at Strome, Loch Carron. 2 dives. One east from the north slipway at Strome
and the other from the castle round the point to the west. Amazing wildlife including fields of brittle stars, multitude crustaceans and the rest.

The ironic road sign at south Strome Ferry!! :-)

The swag.....yummy!



Bla Bheinn garden August 2011

An interesting spring and summer weatherwise in Scotland. Nevertheless our garden at Bla Bheinn in Spean Bridge has thrived. Here are some images from the garden in August.



Greenhouse tomatoes and courgettes








Wonderful window boxes this year









The front of the house, complete with seasoned log stacks, window boxes and hanging baskets.






Sally's mum, Jeanne, has a see through bird table built for her by Chris




The hard work in years past, landscaping and creating the garden has borne fruit. :-)