4. Be impressed by this map!

I really should show you a map just so you can be totally amazed by what this 11 year old and her dad are going to do!

The official cross Scotland route starts at a place called Banavie by Fort William, but these guys are going to put in further west in the tidal Loch Linnhe so that they start in the sea, (well ON the sea I hope), rather than on the first canal section.

3. Please sponsor us! Find out how here.

This is where we ask for your money!

If you haven't already been nabbed by one of us and you would like to sponsor Eleanor and James then you can pledge money via email to us at grainel@googlemail.com. We need to know your name, full address and postcode and the amount you would like to pledge.

If you are a UK tax payer you can make your money go further by opting to use Gift Aid. Using Gift Aid means that for every pound you give, our charities get an extra 28 pence from the Inland Revenue, helping your donation to go further. This means that £100 can be turned into £128, just so long as donations are made through Gift Aid. Imagine what a difference that could make and it doesn't cost you a thing. If you would like to opt for Gift Aid then all you need to do is let us know in your email and we can include it with your details on our sponsorship form.

Thanks very much.

2. Find out about our charities ...

El chose two charities to support - Marie Curie Cancer Care and The Durrell Wildlife Conservation Trust - and any sponsorship we raise is going to be shared equally between them.

Marie Curie helped Nana, James' Mum when she was ill and Aunty Emma used to be a Marie Curie nurse so El wanted to support them. As for the Durrell Trust anyone who knows El and James knows how much they love their natural history. I guess together we are supporting a charity which helps special people and their families, and one which seeks to protect the amazing diversity of wildlife in our world.

You can find out more about these charities by following these links.

http://www.mariecurie.org.uk

http://www.durrell.org

1. The story so far ...

Hi and welcome to the Harper How blog covering Eleanor and James' amazing adventure as they kayak across Scotland in a blow up canoe ... sounds crazy? ... read on.

Here's the story of how it all started and where we are now as the start of the trip suddenly seems to be getting nearer and I (Sally the support team) have had my first anxiety dream about El, James, a canoe and Loch Ness .. monsters etc etc.

Autumn 2008 ...

As you do when you do the forty thing, James starts thinking about a new challenge … “I wonder if we could canoe across Scotland?” Not liking to rush into anything without thinking it through we talk about the idea and mull it over for a good year or so ... and eventually by ...

Autumn/Winter 2009/10

The idea takes hold and Eleanor decides to get involved … “what about a father daughter canoe trip Dad?” “And you’ll need a support team,” says Mum, “Yes,” says Dad, “and I think we’ll try something different and use a blow up boat!”

January 2010

Eleanor and James decide to try and get sponsorship for their trip so that their paddling adventure can help others.

Eleanor chooses Marie Curie Cancer Care and the Durrell Wildlife

Conservation Trust. Marie Curie helped Nana, James' Mum when she was ill and Aunty Emma used to be a Marie Curie nurse. As for the Durrell Trust anyone who knows Eleanor and James will know how much they love their natural history.

April 2010

Planning starts as we think of all the things we’ll need to do … “how shall we get hold of the best kayak?” “what gear do we need?” “what’s the best route?” “let’s email the charities to get

sponsorship advice.” “when shall we go -September?” “what about school?”

May 2010

Eleanor gets on the case and writes to kayak suppliers for advice. Nick Pipe of Vortex canoes in Wales writes back

offering to lend an Advanced Elements Expedition Tandem Kayak. “Thanks Nick!”

Have a look on Nick's website to see loads of cool gear, pics of canoes and news updates about our trip on his news page. You'll soon want to get one of your own. I have a feeling that we are going to find it really hard to part with our kayak at the end of the trip.

www.advancedelementskayaks.co.uk

July 2nd to 19th 2010

Training starts in the Scilly Isles with the one man kayak. The waves off the St.Martins Campsite beach give Eleanor and James a challenge!

July 29th 2010

The tandem kayak arrives, carefully packed by Nick from Vortex and eagerly unpacked by us. Thanks to Ben Mundell for help with transport costs to Islay.

Training continues on Loch Gruinart, Loch Indaal and along the south coast of Islay. We register our itinerary with British Waterways and make final

equipment and safety checks.

August 2010

And now we need your help. Please

sponsor James and Eleanor as they try to make a difference by raising money for their chosen charities.

We’ll be setting off from Loch Linnhe on the west coast on Friday 10th September. The whole trip is 100km, and we hope to arrive at Inverness by Saturday 18th.