Beginners trip 27/8/11

Steve, Ian, Jane and Eileen

The 27th was to be our club's first coach led beginners day. The trip filled up fast with everyone wanting a shot at the new boats. We met down at Silver sands and was soon on the water. This was the first time Gregor, Steve, Ian, Eileen, Jane and Ryan (10) had been out on the sea. They had been practising before on the loch, with Gregor having a few river trips under his belt. The latter 4 stayed for a coaching session in the bay with Ken. Gregor, Trevor, Niall and my good self headed out past Car Craig, hoping to cut across to Oxcars. Once we reached Car Craig, we decided against Oxcars as we were starting the fast flow and the waves out there were kicking up a bit. We headed round the back of Inchcolm and up past Haystacks, up to St David's bay. The seals were out in force, being very inquisitive.

Gregor & co

I feel I'm being followed

Gregor and big Helga

Lunch

Round the back of Inchcolm

We were to meet the other group at Braefoot bay to join them for lunch, (very civilised). Once we met up and were tannoyed to move away from Helga, (we were just paddling past), we all paddled back over to Inchcolm to have lunch. We were kept entertained by the wedding party which came staggering off the boat, before following the wee path up to the abbey. The staggering had nothing to do with the waves, it was more to do with the Buckfast they were swigging, certainly can't hide class! With the groom away up to the abbey, the bride eventually appeared, along with her bridesmaids, when they all had a mad dash into the loos. Once they came out, it was photo shoot time - posing in front of the aforementioned toilets. That should look good in the wedding album! Once the entertainment was over, we all paddled round Inchcolm again, I seem to have been here already, then back to Silver sands. Another wonderful days paddling.

Back at Silver sands

Lower Tummel 14/8/11





After a lovely weekend spent up at Glenmore lodge courtesy of a 3rd place in a Glenmore/pyrhanna competition, we (hubby dear and myself) decided to break the journey back home by stopping off to meet up with a few members of the club who were training for their 3* on the river. The trip was supposed to be at Stanley, but due to an abundance of rain, the level was a bit high for the group, so the put in was duly changed to the lower Tummel at Pitlochry. I've paddled the upper Tummel a good few times, but never the lower Tummel. I was looking forward to a nice gentle paddle to start working off the excess grub that had been scoffed up at Glenmore.

We started off by paddling up to the dam, where there were a few wee waves to catch. This being the first time Colin has been on a river for what is possibly years !!!!, I reckon once he remembered what he was doing, he quite enjoyed himself. He might even get back out within the next 5 years. We bobbed down gently, with the 3* group honing their skills for their assessment the following week.

A quick lunch, back onto another wave for a wee play, then it was down to Ballinluig to the getout. A rather pleasant wee river to finish off a lovely weekend.