Alastair kindly offered a riverbed inspection serrvice on all the rivers we paddled, bar one, to ensure there was nothing nasty on the bottom.

Siamese twins Craig and Dave negotiated the rivers with ease aided by an incredible telepathic communication bordering on witchcraft. This has replaced the legendary decision making process employed by Craig and Chris of "paper, scissors, stone" to decide who should lead a rapid.  (Ed: I have a feeling that will return only too soon!)

Off the water, Craig struggled with promotion to Chief Gate Opener for the Pattack shuttle run. The concept of gates appears not to have yet arrived in Stevenage and on the Pattack proved somewhat of a dilemma for Craig - which was the opening end and which direction they opened were two of the more obvious difficulties.  

Fish awards

Martin Home - QUICKEST SWIM - got pinned, witnessed by rest of group, tried one roll and exited sharpish

Craig Taylor - LONGEST SWIM - got pinned (nudge, nudge, wink, wink!), witnessed by... no one but Craig, and swum - boat chased and recovered by Terry and Martin

Alistair Riches - MOST SWIMS - didn't offer river bed inspection service on one out of 4 days.

Terry Griffiths - DRIEST SWIM - technically didn't swim but got pinned on Pattack, had to exit his boat which he did by stepping out onto the adjacent island. It then took 3 people to prise his fully swamped boat off the rock using an attached line and a lot of grunt.

Rolling Awards

Dave Jones -  pushed away from rock wall and rolled up (the push looked like a failed roll to me - but Dave insists he was pushing off in preparation for the one true roll - it happened at about the same time a pig flew over the Gloy)  (Ed: But nill swims, unlike...oh...a certain author and raconteur!)

Rivers Paddled

Sunday - Loy and Spean Gorge (not Alastair or Martin)
Monday - Gloy
Tuesday - Pattack (not Kev)
Wednesday - Pattack
Thursday - Garry
Friday - Spean Gorge (Craig and Dave only)

Dinner Awards (judge: M. Home)

1st Prize - Martin/Kev
Roast chicken, new potatoes, carrot, broccoli, petit pois, mange tout and runner beans with chicken gravy.

Also rans

Sausages or haddock poached in milk, oven chips and peas

Fajita or rice noodles with chicken pieces, guacomole, salsa and sour cream

Chilli con carne

SPECIAL THANKS to :-

Chris for organising the trip and then not going.

Kev for arranging the superb venue for the group evening meal - Russells Restaurant at Spean Bridge

MY HIGHLIGHTS

• The company.
• Getting out and inspecting rapids and choosing a line.
• Setting up throwline cover on rapids
• Meals in the bunkhouse

by - Martin Home (author, raconteur and failure)

Scotland - Sat 22nd - 29th Oct 2011

(Ed: More photos to follow...)