Its been too long since I posted a blogg here so going to do a couple. First this one from two weeks ago and in a minute last weekends clean up. So here we go
I managed to get out for a paddle last Tuesday but other than that it has been way too long. Also it has been a long time since I had a paddle at Loch Lomond. Today Jo, Sam and I had a good long paddle at Loch Lomond in near perfect conditions.
Despite having an hour stolen from us during the night we had a pack lunch all made, packed up and were at Balmaha ready for the off by 11am. The mist was still hanging over the loch and you could just see the top of Inchcailloch poking above the fog.
Paddling into the mist Inchcailloch comes into view. Crossing over from Balmaha there was still a slight breeze.
However, as soon as we were in the lea of Inchcailloch it was flat calm. Peaceful and tranquil with the sun breaking through. You could feel every worry and pressure of daily life just fall away.
We headed to the bay at the top of Inchcailloch to use the composting toilet there. The campsite had one resident. You can just make him out in red to the left of Jo's head. It was chaffinch from the forum. He had got the ferry over the day before and had spent a night listening to the Canada geese partying loudly.
We chatted for a while then headed off. We were planning on having lunch at Creinch. We paddled up the north shore of Torrinch and approached Creinch. You can also see bird poo island just to the left of it.
However, there was already a couple packing away their camp into their inflatable canoe at the spot we were going to have lunch. Rather than disturb them and have Sam pestering them we paddled to the south side of Torrinch and a small bay there.
Here we got the MK Kettle going and I kept Sam entertained while the brew was on.
Jo in the meantime adjusted to the hectic pace of this canoe tripping malarkey
The loch was too calm to not have a paddle so I did some solo paddling in the shallows with Sam keeping me right.
Eventually the coffee was ready so Jo and Sam found a good spot to sit in the sun and watch the world go by.
After lunch we took a walk round the top end of Torrinch. There were quite a few rock pools here so I decided to see if I still had the skills that had made me the 1974 World Newt Guddling Champion. Some skills stay with you for life
Lunch finished and the top end of the island explored we paddled down to the other end of Torrinch. The conditions were still perfect.
It is at this end of the island that the stand of bamboo is. This was originally planted by an owner who had plans to have panda bears on the island. I kid you not. Of course that never came to fruition but the bamboo is there anyway. You keep expecting a Vietcong soldier to emerge from it.
This holding Sam lark was a lot easier when she was a smaller puppy. And Sam is a girl, that's just my thumb
From Torrinch we paddled across to Clairinsh, where someone decided to dig in the sand
By this point we were all ready for a rest in the sun. So we broke out the sandals and Jo had a read while Sam briefly lay down.
I say briefly as had been the case at every stop, the Canada geese were teasing Sam from just too far out for her to get at them.
After a good rest in the sun and 5 hours since we had set out it was time to load up again and head back to Balmaha.
Back at Balmaha the contrast with the peaceful and tranquil paddle could not have been more extreme. Everyone was out to enjoy the good weather. The place was heaving with tourists eating ice cream.
So when in Rome . . . . . .
I managed to get out for a paddle last Tuesday but other than that it has been way too long. Also it has been a long time since I had a paddle at Loch Lomond. Today Jo, Sam and I had a good long paddle at Loch Lomond in near perfect conditions.
Despite having an hour stolen from us during the night we had a pack lunch all made, packed up and were at Balmaha ready for the off by 11am. The mist was still hanging over the loch and you could just see the top of Inchcailloch poking above the fog.
Paddling into the mist Inchcailloch comes into view. Crossing over from Balmaha there was still a slight breeze.
However, as soon as we were in the lea of Inchcailloch it was flat calm. Peaceful and tranquil with the sun breaking through. You could feel every worry and pressure of daily life just fall away.
We headed to the bay at the top of Inchcailloch to use the composting toilet there. The campsite had one resident. You can just make him out in red to the left of Jo's head. It was chaffinch from the forum. He had got the ferry over the day before and had spent a night listening to the Canada geese partying loudly.
We chatted for a while then headed off. We were planning on having lunch at Creinch. We paddled up the north shore of Torrinch and approached Creinch. You can also see bird poo island just to the left of it.
However, there was already a couple packing away their camp into their inflatable canoe at the spot we were going to have lunch. Rather than disturb them and have Sam pestering them we paddled to the south side of Torrinch and a small bay there.
Here we got the MK Kettle going and I kept Sam entertained while the brew was on.
Jo in the meantime adjusted to the hectic pace of this canoe tripping malarkey
The loch was too calm to not have a paddle so I did some solo paddling in the shallows with Sam keeping me right.
Eventually the coffee was ready so Jo and Sam found a good spot to sit in the sun and watch the world go by.
After lunch we took a walk round the top end of Torrinch. There were quite a few rock pools here so I decided to see if I still had the skills that had made me the 1974 World Newt Guddling Champion. Some skills stay with you for life
Lunch finished and the top end of the island explored we paddled down to the other end of Torrinch. The conditions were still perfect.
It is at this end of the island that the stand of bamboo is. This was originally planted by an owner who had plans to have panda bears on the island. I kid you not. Of course that never came to fruition but the bamboo is there anyway. You keep expecting a Vietcong soldier to emerge from it.
This holding Sam lark was a lot easier when she was a smaller puppy. And Sam is a girl, that's just my thumb
From Torrinch we paddled across to Clairinsh, where someone decided to dig in the sand
By this point we were all ready for a rest in the sun. So we broke out the sandals and Jo had a read while Sam briefly lay down.
I say briefly as had been the case at every stop, the Canada geese were teasing Sam from just too far out for her to get at them.
After a good rest in the sun and 5 hours since we had set out it was time to load up again and head back to Balmaha.
Back at Balmaha the contrast with the peaceful and tranquil paddle could not have been more extreme. Everyone was out to enjoy the good weather. The place was heaving with tourists eating ice cream.
So when in Rome . . . . . .
