Conor – Page 75

Must be getting old…

I’m having to take a little bit of time off from paddling (hopefully not too many days), so sadly I have to disappoint a few folk who wanted to go out. A few days ago I slipped on my local beach and it appears I’ve hurt my ribs a little – yesterdays morning and afternoon of paddling didn’t do it any good (in fact it got progressively worse throughout the day).

I see little point in making it worse at the moment, so with a little relaxing and hopefully healing I plan to be back out on the water after taking it easy for a couple of days. On the plus side… It’s given me plenty of time to get on with this backlog of blog posts and paper work!

Gower Kayak

Jon, Max and Sam came down to Tollie Bay for a kayak session. They had all kayaked before so it was an easy start to the session, it just took them a short while to get used to the boats. A vicious game of ‘Piranhas’ was had, I think a few where even aimed at my head – but I suspect I got my own back!

We had a good paddle along the upper part of the river Ewe, with all their paddling skills improving as the session went on. At the end of the session we tried out a few challenges, ending with both lads in the loch!

Gelly Paddle

The sun was back when the Gelly family met me at Tollie Bay for a fun mornings paddling. We started the session canoeing, with Keith and young Jamie in one boat and Alison and even younger Ciaran in the other. Both boats managed to paddle around despite the wind blowing up the loch. After a good game of ‘Piranhas’ and testing our balance in the boats we headed to shore for a hot chocolate and swap of boats.

After another paddling briefing on shore we soon took to the water and tested the boats out. Just as we did in the canoes we practised some paddling strokes in preparation for a game or two. Keith was good enough to show his lads how easy it was to fall out of a kayak and how there is no need to worry if you do!

With everyone paddling well we got on with the important stuff – some games! We played the tails game, Ciaran managing to grab my tail in the very end but not without getting very wet! To end the session we tested Jamie and Ciaran’s balancing skills, making them do lots of rafted challenges.

Gooch Hamkin Canoe

The weather was looking dark but Caroline and Catherine were still keen to get out for a paddle. After a coffee at my house we set off to my local beach in Mellon Charles.

I took the opportunity to throw my self down onto the beach after slipping on a wet rock, I didn’t realise at the time that I had hurt my ribs – maybe if I had I’d have pestered Catherine to have a look at me since she’s a doctor!

We got on the water before the rain started and headed off to see where we got to. Catherine was able to provide lots of power from the back of the canoe due to her regular dragon boat racing, it was just the steering she had to get used to. Caroline was celebrating her birthday today, and what better way to do it than by getting drenched by the rain in a canoe!

The rain this evening was so heavy it washed away part of the single track road south from Gairloch, causing delays and diversions.

Waddell Canoe & Kayak

Another person that has been holidaying here since he was a lad is Charles Waddell, he now brings his family up on holidays. Today we went paddling in a mixture of boats, we had Charles & Rowan in a canoe and Katie & Robbie both chose to paddle kayaks.

When they are here they stay in Inverasdale, near Firemore beach, so since the weather was with us we chose to paddle from the beach. Katie and Robbie showed off their paddling skill and we paddled around the shore line. We found a cave that I had not seen before, it kept going on and on into the darkness. All 3 kayaks and the canoe where able to fit inside with ease, there was just enough space at the end to turn the kayaks around to ease exiting.

We carried on till we reached one of the family’s favourite beach spots where we had hot chocolate and biscuits, along with a good stretch of the legs.

The journey back was just as interesting, looking up at the coastline from sea level. When we reached Firemore beach again the rain arrived and it seemed like a good time to test Katie and Robbie’s balancing skills and get them swimming!

Taylor Canoe & Kayak

The Taylor’s where staying in Loch Ewe Cottage in Mellon Charles and had seen one of my adverts and noticed my canoe trailer at home. Linda wandered across one evening to see if she could book some paddling. I was able to fit her in and we chose to paddle from the beach a few hundred metres from here and their cottage.

They all knew what they where doing, so Colin and Linda opted for a canoe whilst Alasdair and Keith chose to try something new and paddle sea kayaks. It turned out that Colin was a marine biologist, so instead of me showing them the sights he showed us what lay beneath us.

Their was one creature that I had never seen before (and promptly forgot what it is called…), anyway here’s a poor picture of it

Howat Kayak

Chris and Lynne where staying in Mellon Charles on their travels so they thought it would be good to get out paddling to see things from a different level. We paddled from my local beach, and only a few hundred metres from where they where staying at Tranquility B&B.

It turns out Chris is also a scout leader, and in fact knows Rose and Jim (scout leaders) that I took out paddling a couple of weeks ago! We paddled around the rocky shoreline, spotting lots of jelly fish.

Smith Kayak

The sun kept shining for a while, but dark clouds gathered as we got ready. Helen and Jessica wanted to come out in the kayaks for a paddle from Gairloch Harbour. Helen’s son had brought along a sit on top boat after deciding that he was too good to paddle with us.

They both picked up the skills to turn the boat left and right very quickly – but they did seem to keep practising those turns a lot during the session! Helen decided to overcome her fear of capsizing by, well… capsizing. She did it very well, and worked out how to get back into her boat without too much effort.

We went for a good long paddle, with heavy rain at times making the sea feel nice and warm. The rain made me envious of Helen and Jessica in their wetsuits – maybe I should have put one on too!

Jessica’s brother (sorry, can’t think of your name – it’s not on my piece of paper!) on the sit on top kayak joined us for a game, trying to win by jumping off his kayak – cheat! The session ended with everyone soaked – either from falling in or the rain.

Morris Paddle

Back over to Gairloch today do canoe and kayak. The Morris family had such a great report from the Wood family (all part of the same family group up here) they wanted to get out with me too. We set out initially in canoes, testing our communication and teamwork skills. After practising our skills we got straight into a good game of ‘Piranhas’, followed by some fun testing rafted games.

After that it was time to stretch the legs and swap to kayaks. We paddled about, leaning just how easy it is to turn the kayaks (often when not wanted!). We played some attack & defend games, then in my pursuit of getting them all soaked we played some rafted games where they had to swam boats along with a host of other challenges. Sadly they where all a bit too good and I had to resort to splashing them with my paddle!

Fingland Kayak

David and Norma are regulars to the area, David has been coming up since he was a child to their family cottage by Aultbea. Since we’d been having a fantastic week of weather with practically no winds their little wayfarer dinghy wasn’t much use so they decided to come out in some kayaks.

We set out from their cottage and paddled along the coastline, getting used to the boats and practising some skills. Despite donning wetsuits from the start neither fell in and they both handled the boats well. They liked just how close in you can get in kayaks, fitting through the smallest gaps to see what’s hidden along the coastline.

Wood Kayak

Gairloch Harbour was the spot for today’s paddling. The Wood family had seen me out the day before having fun with a group on the water so they wanted to get out and splash about as well.

We headed out in the kayaks, some of the boats seemed to go in a straighter line than others – maybe some of the boats where broken? Everyone managed to get to where they wanted to, even if it did take some longer than others.

Christine took it upon herself to show everyone how easy it was to fall out of your boat when you capsize, having her shoes float away in the process. It wasn’t long before everyone else – Calum, Frazer, Cara and Iain – had a go at falling out themselves. Again and again.

This session turned out to be a very wet session! No body minded since it was another glorious day.

Petrie Paddle

The day continued to be hot and sunny, after a short break for lunch the Petrie family joined me for an afternoon canoeing and kayaking. It didn’t take long for Pete, Jo, Hamish and Kirstin to get to grips with the canoes, so we headed off for a paddle where we saw seals basking in the sunshine.

After a while we headed back to the slipway in Badachro and switched to the kayaks. With a bit of ballerina like pirouetting they got the hang of them and we tested our skills playing some games.

Hartree Kayak

Another Monday morning and a fantastic start to the week, the sun shone down warmly as the Hartree joined me in Badachro for a mornings paddling. They where staying on the other side of the little bay in one of Sue and Tom’s Ceomara Cottages.

We headed out in kayaks to paddle around and hopefully cool down with a bit of splashing around. We saw a number of seals, they followed us for a while but didn’t join in on our games sadly. Finley nearly got stranded on a buoy – he hopped up onto one, easy to get on but tricky to get back into your boat without falling in!

It’s too hot for computer work..

I must apologise, I’m a wee bit behind these blog things. The weather is just a bit too good.

I’ll get some more done and email photo’s out soonish!

Young Kayak

It’s been ages since I paddled from Gairloch Harbour so since we where due a nice high tide I thought it would be a great spot to take the Young family. They nearly missed out on paddling with me because they where due to be heading home today, but because the weather was just too good to be going home in they opted to hang around.

We headed off in kayaks, quickly getting used to their spinny nature. Being a hot sunny day no body minded getting sodden piranhas in the face (well, not too much). We paddled a good distance before stopping for a biscuit snack and stretch of the legs, after that it was time to paddle back into the harbour. We where able to head up the river slightly, under the new and old bridges, and alongside the Old Inn.

Jacqui, Mike, Olivia and Douglas left me after a good session to get some fish and chips and hopefully find a B&B for the night.

Fisher Climb

Another Fisher adventure, this time it’s climbing again. Today Erin opted for an afternoon with Granny, so it was just Rob, Louise and young Letty at the crag. It was a nice relaxing afternoon, I even found time to lie back in my hammock.

I’m told that since climbing with me last year they have climbed all over the world (well, in a couple of far flung places) and at their local climbing wall too. During their stay in Mellon Charles they’ve also been to the local climbing wall in Gairloch Leisure centre a few times.

Letty zipped up the routes and even abseiled herself down the crag a few times – well done.

Galvin Canoe

Another sunny morning at Tollie Bay, this time I was joined by the Galvin family – Grace, Daniel, Emmet and Helen. We set off in the canoes initially, heading across the bay. Manoeuvring skills where picked up well, enabling a good game of ‘Piranhas’ to be had.

After a short break we swapped over to the kayaks, it was such a hot sunny day no one minded splashing around in the water at all. Grace and Daniel both performed well in the kayaks, being only 8 means it’s hard work for them.

Barnett Canoe & Kayak

Haven’t paddled from Badachro for a while, so since the Barnett family where staying in one of Sue and Tom’s cottages in Badachro I thought it would be a good spot to go.

Alan, Carol and Ross joined me for a session of canoeing and kayaking. We set off initially in two canoes to explore the area and see what we could find. Seals where spotted in the bay – a common occurrence here, and a possible otter sighting on one of the beaches.

When we had mastered the art of canoeing it was time to switch boats and jump into the kayaks. A good game of ‘Piranhas’ was had, testing everyone’s skills to the limits!

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