Fortrose Academy on the Spey

The last 2 days have been spent with some lovely students from Fortrose Academy on the river Spey along with Mark and Russell. Started at the Bridge Inn paddled down to Boat of Bailliefurth where they camped then continued on to Cromdale. We all had a great time and much fun through the rapids.

Good level on Spey

On Sunday, Al, Ian and myself set off from the Bridge Inn to paddle to the island just past Cromdale bridge. Weather was wet but not unpleasant, water level high enough for most of the rocks and shingle to be covered. From Cromdale we went to Aberlour. Very fast, lovely long wavetrains, you could paddle where you wanted! Friendly fishermen too as proved when we stopped just before Aberlour for a bite to eat and the Ghillie came over to have a chat and invited us to watch a fish being caught and released. He likes to see and chat to canoeists and kayakers and is very knowledgeable about the area so if you are passing, look out for Willie!

more canoeing

On Tuesday we worked on flat water rescues on Loch Morlich, Nick joined us for a while so we did as many canoe and kayak rescues we could think of. It was great fun but both our drysuits are leaking big time and it was a bit on the chilly side. We also had an indoor climbing session that evening with Robert Gordons thanks to Loch Morlich Watersports, great students!

On Wednesday, Sylvia joined us for a paddle on the Spey, Ballindalloch to Knockando, nobody else around just some very friendly fishermen so we had a lovely day. Thursday we worked at Alltnacriche, always a chilled day there, lovely venue, friendly youngsters and a great team to be a part of. Today we are playing catch up with kit and admin, always takes much longer than we think!

Various

Last week we had a couple of days with Alltnacrich. Also, we canoed the lower section of the Bran into Loch Achanalt with Sylvia to check this out for a Bronze DofE Expedition. Saturday was a big day at Glenmore Lodge with Sue Mahoney and her lovely group of folk where we had lots of fun doing silly things as well as Archery, Indoor Climbing and Rafted Canoeing. On Sunday we took 2 lovely ladies up Ben Nevis for West Coast Mountain Guides, it was a great day spent chatting and enjoying the views until nearer the summit where it snowed!

Duntelchaig with Active Kids

Yesterday we had a great day at Loch Duntelchaig amongst the midges doing a 70' abseil and the Weaselling with some of our 'Active Kids' and their parents. Only Charlie and wee Charlie had been before so it was new to most. The Abseil can seem intimidating even to folk who had done one before so it was wonderful to see everyone attempt it. Tia went twice as did Logan's mum. Duncan, who had never done anything like this was finally persuaded to go for it, which was a surprise to his parents who also did it (they had to really!). The Weaselling is always a success as people are totally unprepared for what it is and it really is great fun! Hope to get photos from big Charlie to prove it!

Good groups

On Tuesday we worked with a very enthusiastic group from Banff & Buchan College doing Rafted Canoeing and Archery. Weather was fine too! On Wednesday I ran a Team Challenge session for another excellent group of management from Asda. It poured but they were happy to play!

DofE expeds

More skillsforce last week at Loch Duntelchaig which went really well despite the weather then a great day with Ellon Academy. Straight after this we were off to Laggan Locks to meet up with a group of girls from Mary Erskine Scholl who were doing their Bronze qualifying exped on the Caledonian Canal. We also had a group of Guides doing the same trip for their practise. It was a bit windy but all went well and they all had some great experiences.