Fortrose and GRA

Busy day today! Fortrose Academy brought superb youngsters to Glenmore Lodge for a day of fun including Canoe Rafting, Indoor Climbing, Hill walking, Archery and Abseiling. There was also a group on a 2 day exped on the Spey which we also arranged. We have all had a wonderful day, these students have always been a joy to be with and the staff aren't bad either. Ian took Gordon Rural Action Canoe Rafting and Archery too and when I met them at the Archery they were having a great time!

Rock Climbing Kingussie

Today we were with Gordon Rural Action, climbing and abseiling at Kingussie. Kaye and Stuart brought a lovely group of youngsters who were quite nervous to start with but all achieved quite a lot during the day and overcame fears. Ian will be doing Canoe Rafting and Archery with them tomorrow, which we know they are looking forward to.

Cubs and Scouts

On Friday we were sorting things for the weekend ie setting out an Orienteering course, leaving kit in the right place etc. On Saturday, Richard M, Neil and I ran Indoor climbing and Abseiling at Glenmore Lodge with Grantown Cub Scouts whilst Ian, Martin and Penny did Canoe Rafting, Archery and Orienteering with Challenges with Nairn Scouts. We all had a great time as all the groups were enthusiastic to get in there and do their best.

Sunday saw us Canoe rafting and Arching with the Grantown Cubs and again a good time was had by all. The weather held well too which always helps.

Craigie & Badcaul

On Tuesday we went climbing and abseiling with Craigie High at Kingussie. We all had a great time, the weather was superb and the group made the most of every opportunity! Even the staff got to play.

Wednesday we went to Badcaul Primary near Dundonnell to spend the day with the whole school of 15 pupils looking at map-reading and the fun to be had following routes and bearings to eventually find Treasure!

We had intended to stay in the area to climb ourselves today but as the weather was none too promising we came home to carry on with admin and sort kit for the weekend as well as cut down paddles etc

More indoor climbing

On Friday we were indoor climbing at Glenmore all day with Robert Gordons School, Saturday we arranged a variety of activities for Buckie Boys Brigade ie kayaking, canoeing, archery, abseil and indoor climbing. Yesterday we were up the wall again this time with Craigie High School, always great youngsters to work with and keen to learn as much as possible. tomorrow we are taking last years indoor climbers to Kingussie for some real stuff!

Lake District

We have just had 2 days checking out some of the Peaks as we are shortly working on a 24 Peaks Challenge. Never having walked here before we were pleasantly surprised by the landscape. We found the stone paths hard for walking when we are so used to soft paths or no paths! It was also a novelty seeing so many folk around just sitting and enjoying the scenery.

New Canoes

Since the Brownie Bash we have worked for Alltnacriche, Carnegie College and Farr High School. We also went to Endless River to pick up our new Canoe Trailer, 4 x Discovery 158's, buoyancy aids and paddles. David and his wife are extremely helpful people and whether buying a lot of stuff or just 1 or 2 things they will always do their best for you.

We used our boats for the first time with Farr High School, and as these guys are always great to be with it was an ideal day. Now we are off to the Lakes to check out routes for the 24 Peaks Challenge!

Big Brownie Bash

This was held at Badaguish over the weekend and what fun we all had despite the heavy rain this morning. We put together a great team of instructors who ran a variety of activities such as Canoe Rafting, Indoor Climbing, Team Challenges etc, and over the weekend we worked with about 190 of them. They were lovely kids and the Guide Leaders were also really keen to help and encourage. Always a pleasure to be with polite, courteous youngsters who put in an enormous effort to try and succeed at new things.

Biking at Boat of Garten

Ian was biking with Richard Mossdell and Alford Academy today. We hired the bikes from Glenmore Mountain Bikes as we know that Pete has brand new bikes every year and makes sure they are serviced and clean before going out to people. Alford did not have much time but Ian and Richard gave them a good time on the tracks in the forest around Boat of Garten and Loch Garten. Pete and Richard had done something similar yesterday. They all enjoyed themselves and hopefully will be back to us next year!

More Weaselling

The last 2 days has been with Skillforce at Duntelchaig and really up for it groups they were too. Fine weather, if a bit windy and cracking leaders made these days a joy to work. I am now office bound, mainly thinking about the Big Brownie Bash at the weekend which is based at Badaguish, and Ian is biking with Richard M and a group from Alford Academy.