Police escort for VIP’s (Very important paddlers)

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By: Andy L Coulport to Carrick Castle (and back): 12th October 2014 This was a hastily arranged day trip, simply because the weather forecast for the weekend looked promising (how often have we heard that?). Five paddlers in total: Anne Howard, Jo Grant, Geraldine O’Sullivan, Iain Love and myself. For the keen observers amongst us, you will note that the girls outnumbered the boys….not often this occurs on club trips….hope the trend continues. After loading the boats and gear, we set off from the container and began the short journey to the put-in (a layby just outside RNAD Coulport – OS grid ref. NS 213 867). The forecast was pretty accurate throughout the day; cool to start, with very low cloud… warming as the cloud thinned and little or no wind as the day progressed…..just perfect. I've done this trip several times in the past, so I wasn't surprised to find the military police taking a certain interest in our party; however, we didn't expect...
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Lismore Weekend Trip Report

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Lismore, Saturday 6th – Sunday 7th September, 2014 Rose, Andy, Michael, Misha, Graham, Ian, Allan & Colin met at the long lay-by off the A828 at Appin, across from the Island of Shuna,. Port Appin, although closer to Lismore, was too busy for parking. Weather forecasts had been for force 3 winds from the north-west both days, with bright weather each day but the very odd shower on the Saturday. The plan for this Grade B trip was to circumnavigate Lismore, with a wild camp on the Saturday night. We would circumnavigate the island in an anti-clockwise direction, paddling down the west coast of the island on the Saturday, camping at the south of the island near the lighthouse, then paddling back on the Sunday up the east coast. By doing this we would be able to pass through the tidal channels at Bernera Island and Rubha Fiart, at high water and, most importantly in the case of Rubha Fiart, at slack water....
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River Nith

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What a great Sunday on the river for most , in the river for some! After a scenic drive through the Leadhills we arrived at the Glen Airlie Picnic Site put in, set up the shuttle to Drumlanrig Bridge and got on the river . First prize to bailoutboater - now you know where the forum / blog post name comes from. A good level of water meant that the rapids came in quick succession breaking us in (or eddy out) for the approaching gorge section. Here we had to have a wee look first before running safely. In the gorge section we came across two chaps panning for gold, if ah had known there was gold in them their river, I would have looked closer when upside down. Some skilful paddling at the pour over and a very technical tricky chicken run at the same spot. The day ended with a demonstration of spectacular seal launching. The paddlers in no...
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