Ireland visit 20 June 2 weeks

Sally and I travelled from Troon to Larne and then out to Antrim for a couple of days, including a fine walk along the coast to Giant's Causeway.......

........ then on to Leitrim and Sligo to follow up family history.


.........and even older history!!

Before visiting the Burren in stromy weather and then Connemara, seen here.

Camping for most part, except in Burren during the rainstorms!

Using the canoe on Connemara inlets.

Enjoying a few pints of the dark stuff in Clifden (above), Connemara.


Cheers!!

Out hiking in Connemara and paddling!

Peat being cut on an industrial scale.

Magnificent 2000 foot cliffs on Achill Island in Mayo.


Finally fetched up in County Monaghan researching family again.

Here Sally is standing outside the house in Castleblayney where her dad was a young boy.

River Meig Gorge guiding 17 June 2011

Ian, Tim and Genni overlooking the beautiful Scatwell Gorge on the River Meig.

This superb gorge is undoubtedly one of Scotland's finest and it is even more remarkable that none of the paddling is harder than grade 4.

The first drop after the weir at the put in.....leads immediately to.........

"Entrance Exam", a three part cascade which looks frightening from the lip!

But is surprisingly friendly....if you get it right!

After "Entrance Exam" comes "Fresh Squeezed".

Followed a series of fine drops and features.......

Leading to the centrepiece of the Scatwell Gorge, "Teacup Falls".


More great drops and a fabulous arch......


...lead through impressively inaccessible rock scenery to the end of the difficulties.

Meig gorge. A Scottish classic.

Etive and Garry June 16th 2011

Paddle guiding again with Tim, Genni and Ian, this time at the River Etive and Garry.

An unusual angle shot of Ian coming over Block Falls on the Etive.

Another angle on the same drop, this time capturing Tim's run.

Genni taking the second drop on Triple Falls.

......and here busting through the wave at Bridge Rapid on the Garry.

Spean Gorge Guiding 15th June 2011

Guiding day on Spean Gorge with Tim, Genni and Ian. Low level, but nice flow
for the gorge. Still power in main rapids and drops.

Ian

Genni

Early rapids in the gorge......

Genni runs Fairy Steps after rolling on the first part.

Tim taking the stopper mid rapid.

The right angle corner.

Heading for the exit in Fairy Steps.

Boogie water in the gorge.

Ian at the longer grade three rapid

Genni takes a tight turn.

Ian likewise.
Tim.

Looking back to Headbanger after portaging the ugly looking drop.

On the lip of the Cauldron.

Approaching the constriction through fine rock scenery

And squeezing through.

The final challenge in the gorge.

Nice paddle. Lovely scenery and warm day, albeit a wee bit drizzly.