Last day. Muirtown Locks to the North Sea.

Now many, if not most, folk who decide to paddle across Scotland, arrive at the top of Muirtown Locks, have a wee peek at the sea - by foot - pack up their kayak and go home. I mean - what's 1.7km when you have paddled nearly 100km - well it's the difference between being purist about this whole trip and .. well not being so purist .. and I'm sure you can guess where James stands on this one .. so ... the last 1.7km.

Here we go - and the reason I didn't have the strength to write about this last night was because it took us nearly three hours to travel this last section!

First of all - Muirtown Locks themselves. If you remember back a week or so to Neptune' s Staircase at Banavie, Muirtown represents the east coast equivalent - so the first thing the EBD required was a set of wheels. I couldn't face unpacking the car and assembling my bike, (the cold is taking hold and support team energy is low) but we found a grand set of 'Boy's Own Manual' style wheels to portage the kayak past the locks, across a reasonably busy road, across the swing bridge, through a gate, down a track and onto the pontoon at Muirtown basin.

Here waiting for us was the Inverness Press and Journal photographer - which was quite amusing if a little embarrassing - but as Armin has already spotted we have made it into the newspapers! (Thanks for the press release Mark!).

The EBD paddled the basin against a brisk north westerly wind and pulled out at Works Lock for the next portage challenge. Past the lock, along a track, across the railway line and the final sea gate was in sight.

By now the wind was whipping up the waves on the last wee section of canal to Clacknaharry Sea Gate and the rain was back - but nothing that these guys couldn't conquer. No pontoon to get back onto the canal here, so we carefully lowered the kayak onto the water, in they climbed and paddled up to the sea gate - they were there at last ... "but hang on you two - the water isn't salty - I thought this expedition was salt to salt."

AAAGGGHHHHH

Out with the kayak, across the canal path, down the rocks, across the SEAweed and onto the Beauly Firth and the North Sea - Yep - salty water!

It was sad to pack up the kayak and stow it away in it's bag for the last time, (as predicted Nick, the EBD don't want to give it back), but we indulged in some ridiculous end of trip photos first.

I'm sure there will be some reflective blog posts to follow and we will let you all know the final total for our fundraising, but just for now the EBD and support team want to say a big thank you to everyone who has sponsored us, encouraged us and shared our amazing journey. We hope you have enjoyed it as much as us, (but don't feel as weary).

Lots of love to all

from the EBD and me!

Last Day. Last Homework...?

It's nearly 10pm and it's time to get back to the camp site but I'm going to let Eleanor do her homework before bed! So here she is ...

I have loved the whole trip and I don't want it to finish. I havn't seen much of Inverness but it is cold and extremely windy but it looks nice and has lots of farms around it, and lots of trees. Yes, Euan, the fahitas tasted good. No Narnians in Glen Affric I'm afraid. I had butter, cheese, mayo and baked beans on my baked potato. I wish I could skive on Monday but there is no way my Mum would let me! (Correct, Eleanor!).

Now we have to find our tent in the dark! (Sally)

Last Day. Loch Ness to Muirtown Locks.

Our last day began with overcast skies and Loch Ness was gloomy ... but the water was calmer and needless to say - even though the EBD had put Plan B into action on Tuesday - by 10.15am I stood on the shore with the purple Nessie as they paddled away from precisely the point at which they had taken out on the Big Wave Day.

There was no way that the EBD were not going to paddle every inch of that loch!

Paddling to Lochend presented no problems today and the EBD waved goodbye to Nessie and Nigel and cruised into Loch Dochfour and the canal. They were glad to back on friendly waters after the oppressive conditions on Loch Ness.

A simple and uneventful paddle past boats and cruise boat marinas brought the EBD to the top of Muirtown Locks in Inverness and the end was almost in sight.

Only 1.7km to go to the sea!

(10pm - need to get back to the tent - no wifi at this site - so look out tomorrow for Muirtown Locks to the North Sea)

Goodnight - Sal and the EBD!

Last Day. Too busy eating ...

More details to follow but just now all I can say is that by 5.30pm the EBD were kayaking in the sea by Clacknaharry Loch in the Beauly Firth - they've done it! By the time we had packed up the gear, found a camp site and pitched the tent it was 8 o'clock at night. Very tired and very hungry we made our way to the MOST FANTASTIC PUB IN THE WORLD called the Benleva Hotel at Drumnadrochit which sells amazing food and has wifi! El is eating steak and ale pie, J is scoffing fish and chips and I'm about to tuck into sausage and mash. More blogging when we have recovered and eaten!

Day 7. Homework.

For P6/7.

No we haven't tipped over Calums and we are not planning on doing it. I had baked potato for breakfast this morning and tonight I had chicken fahitas, but when we are camping we have chocolate! Yes, we have got very wet but you do when you sit in a kayak for 6 hours straight even with spray decks. Floppy is staying at Margaret and Ian's at Kilchoman in a field with all his woolly, (and very CLEVER) friends. Unfortunately I am back at school on Monday so be prepared!

We are going to finish tomorrow I hope. From Eleanor.

Day 7. Zzzzzz

Today was a rest day. We checked out potential launch sites for tomorrow and headed up to Glen Affric, which is beautiful beyond belief. Sorry no photos just imagine Narnia - or Last of the Mohicans, (which was filmed here!). Plan for tomorrow is to put the kayak in at Lochend, (surprisingly this is at the end of Loch Ness), paddle through Loch Dochfour and into the canal all the way through Inverness until the water gets salty in the Beauly Firth! Fingers crossed. And if you happen to be around in Inverness tomorrow - look out for the EBD!

Day 6. EBD not beaten ...

The EBD are not called that for nothing - the waves on Loch Ness may have made for unsafe kayaking, but the EBD were not beaten yet! Cue - Plan B!

Now, if I know one thing, it is that there are certain moments in a friendship when the best thing to do is to keep quiet and say nothing - and the knowledge that James was intending to put Plan B into action signalled one of those moments - so I kept quiet, (no doubt body language and facial expressions gave it away - but I said nothing - you wait until I tell you about Plan B.)

So, Plan B. Plan B was simple - walk sections where it was unsafe to paddle. What complicated it was that James decided that the kayak should come too - tricky when there is no water - but we had portaged around locks and up Neptune's Staircase - why not portage the last 5km to the end of Loch Ness where we could more safely put the kayak in the water again. Actually, carrying the kayak 5km along level ground is manageable - especially with my trusty bike to help - but level ground would involve walking along the A82 - mmmm. Ah - an alternative! A 12km walk on a wee side road - starting with 2.5km of very steep hill carrying kayak, in its bag, paddles etc (This is where I needed to keep quiet). James managed to convince El that this was going to work and up they went.

I have to admit I was impressed by how quickly they climbed, (perhaps powered by excess adrenalin left over from navigating those waves?), and it was not long before they reached the top of the hill and stopped for lunch. They were both tired - and after some soul searching, they decided to leave the kayak in my tender care, (in the back of the car), and went on by foot and bike.

We all ended up really enjoying the walk/cycle. Weather was amazing - purple with rain clouds one minute and gleaming with sunshine the next. There was a strong wind and the temperature was distinctly autumnal, but it was beautiful. I kept driving ahead and then walking back to meet them - glad to get some more exercise. A couple of hours or so and we were back on the main road beyond the top of the loch, stopped for a beer with Martin and partner Vivian, (also on the RNLI crew), and made our way back to our hostel.

It's a rest day tomorrow - thought we might go and explore Glen Affric - good cycling and walking, (rest?), and then we'll see what Thursday brings.

Day 6. Impressed?

Day 6. Tough, rough weather ...

Another blowy day dawned and we put all our kit together and made our way to rendevous with RNLI Martin who very kindly had offered to help us get the kayak into the water at the start of the day.

Landing/launching onto the loch at Drumnadrochit is complicated by private access roads and piers but Martin was able to keep us right.

The water looked pretty rough out in the loch, the hire boats had been instructed to stay in harbour but the EBD decided to give it a go. Martin showed us a good 'escape' route where the team could land if they felt that things were not going so well. And off they went again.

Sensing my increased level of anxiety, Martin offered to chum me along the A82, driving from one lay by vantage point to the next so that we could watch the EBD's progress from the shore.

The first sighting was enough for me to know that I wanted them out of the water asap - although the sun was shining the waves were huge, too big to be fun. There was nothing the EBD could do but plough on to their exit point about 4.5km away. We watched as James skillfully manouvered the kayak over one wave after another - it was difficult for Eleanor to paddle as well because James had to keep doing extra paddles and she could not see to keep in time. If her paddle was in the water at the wrong time then she could have accidentally sent them cross wave - not good. Poor El spent quite a bit of the time holding her paddle high up out of the water - just as well she has strong arm muscles!

The picture with the red arrow says it all! I tried to watch them through the binoculars but it was too scary.

The EBD were actually moving very fast, surfing waves that sent them shooting along. Now that I have them safely on dry land I have to admit that I saw some real Hawii FiveO moments there for a while. James is really impressed with how the kayak handled in these exceptional conditions - "it did everything we asked it to do and we felt in control of the boat - as good as any kayak I have been in." You said it would Nick (Pipe) - Advanced Elements coped with the elements!

At last they surfed onto the shore - glad to be out of the water and realising that there would be no more paddling for today. As it happens there was a large purple Nessie on the shore - a good photo opportunity! Thanks to Martin for all the photos and for looking after us so well - again it must be said - what a guy!

Day 6. More homework ...

Was the weather rough? Yes it was very very rough and the waves were 2.5m. I didn't enjoy the kayaking today because it was too rough and I felt scared but when we got out we went on a cycle ride which I really liked. I'm really unhappy that the trip is nearly over because it is very exciting. I'll be back on Islay on Saturday. I have got you a present for the whole class. It's not very exciting but it's better than nothing! From Eleanor.

Sally says - read about Day 6 to find out more and see some scary pictures!

Day 5. Extra photos.

Here are a couple of extra pics that belong to Day 5 - Martin from the Loch Ness RNLI crew is their press officer, so as well as always being ready to save people, he is also always at the ready with his camera - and here are a couple of photos he took of the EBD arriving at the RNLI slipway.

Thanks for sending these to us Martin - some pretty good ones for Day 6 too!

Day 5. Phew...

After an age of waiting I eventually spotted the EBD rounding a headland, phoned Martin with good news and hot footed it to the RNLI Lifeboat Station at Drumnadr..... where we had arranged for the EBD to land. El and James were weary but fine - glad to be on dry land after 30km of unrelenting wind and waves.

Even though they were travelling with the waves

James says it is still really hard work - certainly a test for paddlers and kayak. I was never so glad to see them.

Martin from the RNLI is the most amazing guy - he was very reassuring and a brilliant support team for the anxious support team! He got the EBD sorted with hot showers, cups of tea and gave us a tour of the lifeboat station! He's even going to meet us tomorrow morning - weather permitting, and help launch the EBD off for the final 7km of Loch Ness. What a guy!

Day 5. The nasty middle bit.

The met office were right about the weather. When I met them for lunch the water conditions had changed but the Extraordinarily Brave Duo said they were fine to go on - hugging the shore and riding the waves.

I got on the phone to MY support team - Wonderful Martin of RNLI Loch Ness - full of good, calm advice - how many times did we speak during the next couple of hours Martin?! I made my way to Urquhart Castle, climbed up the biggest tower I could find to give me the best view down the loch, and settled down for an unbelievably anxious couple of hours wait. I could see the water getting rougher, visibility becoming poorer and the rain setting in. On a lighter note, I became chief 'tower photographer' as tourists kept asking me to take jolly group pics of them attempting not to fall off the ramparts.

I was in mobile and radio contact with the EBD, (Extraordinarily Brave Duo), but the said mobile and radio were safely stowed away in a waterproof, floating bag in case of emergency - and not easy for James to get to when the water was rough - which it was - the EBD say the waves were about 1.5m high in places and insist they were only mildly worried for a very short period of time ... but ... I'm sure there's something they are not telling me... some secretive monster sighting perchance - another stranded sheep?

Day 5. Leaving Fort Augustus.

After a wet and windy overnight camp at Fort Augustus we managed to sort ourselves fairly quickly in the morning and the guys were off and paddling by 10.00am. The canal below the Fort Augustus Locks looks like a walk in the park - with ducks and swans decorating the water.

Needless to say El was more interested in getting cygnets to feed out of her hand than sorting paddles etc but eventually she gave the camera back to me and yet again I waved them goodbye - more anxious this time than on other parts of the journey because I knew the weather was due to get worse.

Having checked out the met office forecast, James made the decision to paddle on the north side of the loch - the side of the main A82 road to Inverness. We had been hoping that the weather would be good enough for them to travel on the much quieter and prettier south side but the forecast dictated a change of plan - safety first.

A quick call back to Islay, and Beastie very kindly got in touch with the lifeboat crew at Drumnadroichit, (sorry - too late and too tired to check spelling - someone do it for me please), just to let them know that El and James were around on the loch. We had already given our itinerary to the Coastguard when we registered to use the canal. The weather can change in a flash on Loch Ness and we knew it was worth making our safety net as secure as possible!

As I watched them out of sight they began to look awful small in this huge 37km long stretch of water...

Day 5. Eleanor's homework!

Dear Primary 6/7 at Port Charlotte here is my homework!

We've been camping a lot which is really fun but it is always rainy at night. The best bit so far was the canal between Neptune's Staircase and Gairlochy because it was really pretty and very quiet. When we are paddling we have lots of little snacks especially Oaty bars and chocolate. No we don't cook marshmallows on a fire but I wish we could. (It's always too rainy to light fires! Sally). The locks are all very very pretty and I'll bring back lots of photos. For breakfast I usually have tattie scones and baked beans. I don't really know how I paddle so far but once you get into the rhythm it is easier and also I listen to my MP3. It is really hard work, at the moment I am really tired because I have slight motion sickness from the waves on Loch Ness. I tried to kidnap Seumas as bait for Nessie and Nigel, (her husband), but he ran away. Yes, Molly, the hot chocolate is very nice, it is Cadbury's. No unfortunately we did not bring a fishing rod but I did see a 2ft salmon jump. Yes Molly I am smiling - I wonder why?! Mostly I am pretty warm when I am paddling but today my feet got cold because the water in Loch Ness was so cold. For tea we have pasta or baked potatoes. No, Beth, as a matter of fact I haven't been eaten by flying Loch Ness monsters but I have made very good friends with Nessie and Nigel and I don't think I ever want to come back! No, Calum, we haven't - but nearly - the waves were pretty big today - about 1.5m. The weather has been OK but sometimes rubbish. Am I tired at night? - what do you think?!! I will definitely say Hi to Nessie and Nigel for you but I won't tell them your addresses otherwise they might come and eat you. Bye, bye to you all. Have a nice time, from Eleanor.

Day 5. Super hero!

Read the badge! Clare awarded it to Eleanor - and after today's paddle on Loch Ness she certainly deserves it - wish I had one for James too!

Day 4. Laggan Locks to Fort Augustus.

Writing this at the start of Day 5 cos Fort Augustus did not oblige with a decent wifi signal yesterday and it's not much better now! Probably just as well that we couldn't post last night because we were all feeling really tired and fed up. It was a long days paddle - although beautiful through canal sections and Loch Oich - and although Eleanor is recovering from her cold, James and I are now choked with it and lacking mental energy. (What's new some may say). Anyway - let me tell you about Day 4.

After a good rest at the Great Glen Hostel with Clare and Mark, we put the kayak together - again - and the Brave Duo paddled off from Laggan Locks into relative sunshine through a beautiful wooded section of the canal. Laggan Locks marks the highest point of the canal - 30m or so above sea level - so in theory it is all down hill from here!

EIeanor and James made fantastic progress through Loch Oich and it seemed as though I hardly had time to make their lunch before we met up at Aberchalder swing bridge. The prevailing wind really has been from the south west which has made for some exciting water but has helped to push them along in the right direction. They are doing so well and I'm a proud if slightly anxious Mum/wife!

As you can see from the picture, El was tempted to change self propelled transport for something with an engine, but on they went - in the kayak - to paddle the last stretch of canal to Fort Augustus.

I went on in the car and just had time to put my bike together and cycle down the tow path to meet them. They really do look great when they are paddling along, so I've attempted to post some rather rubbish video onto the blog just so you can get an idea for yourselves.

Camping in Fort Augustus in the rain and gales is over and that's all I'm going to say about that - except for this - Fiona, I'd filled that big flask up in the morning and never was it so useful as when James made his lemsip at three in the morning - no way could we have boiled up water on our trangia stove with the amount of rain and wind outside! Thank you!

Right - I mustn't delay - I've just sent the Brave Duo out onto Loch Ness and the wind is gradually building. The two way radios are switched on and they were looking good as I watched them paddle out of sight but I need to go and check progress. More news later.

Day 3. Loch Lochy

A gentle breeze made for a calm start to the Brave Duo's paddling as they headed up Loch Lochy. The road swings away from the side of the loch so they had a beautiful peaceful paddle. Eleanor says "It was really pretty and I saw an osprey. I dropped my headphones in quite a lot of water so it kept playing track 1 of everything". (I should explain that El listens to tunes and stories on her MP3 player as she paddles).

After an hour paddling the wind started to build and when I spotted the Brave Duo at our lunch spot half way up the loch, they were surfing along on fairly exciting waves. We had lunch together on the shore and brewed up hot chocolate on the trangia, (anyone who has ever had to endure a New Year with us will know all about hot choc and trangias).

Then off they went for the final run to Laggan Locks. Ever the observant shepherds, El and James heard a sheep in distress - being a sheep it was naturally stupid and had managed to get itself stuck in some brambles, (perhaps taking advantage of afternoon sunshine to pick a few blackberries?). They crossed the loch, came to shore and de-brambled said sheep and then a short paddle to today's finish line.

There to welcome them was a supplemented support team in the form of Clare and Mark Meredith. It's great to have more groupies here and we are all staying together in the Great Glen Hostel. As I write Clare is knitting, wine/pink lemonade is poured and at some point we'll summon up the energy to cook supper!

Must add a last mention for our brilliant kayak - there have been some surprised expressions when people realise it is inflatable - and even more so when they see it disappear into its bag - but it is more than doing the job - feeling stable, safe, comfortable and moving well on the rougher water of Loch Lochy. Thank you so much to Nick Pipe of Advanced Elements for loaning the kayak to us - and the chocolate is doing the trick too Nick!

PS. Eleanor says not all sheep are stupid - Floppy certainly is not - OK?

Day 3. Soggy Gairlochy.

Boy was it rainy at Gairlochy this morning - and when the rain eased off the last of the years midges made a stalwart attempt to stock up on food for the winter - or do they die when it gets cold - I hope so.

Anyway, the Gairlochy lock keeper was helpful, friendly and encouraging, we set up a great little camp amongst tall pine trees, managed to cook some pasta and after a bit of in-tent blogging, settled down for the night. The morning brought torrential rain which seemed to make packing up camp take an age but eventually we got ourselves sorted and I waved goodbye to my brave paddlers.

Day 2. Kingfisher at Moy Bridge

Sorry Ian - almost forgot but El and James spotted a kingfisher on the canal just beyond Moy bridge - J says it's the first kingfisher he has seen in Scotland.

Day 2. Gairlochy.

We're camping next to the lock tonight. Paddling has gone well - the gale calmed down a bit in the shelter of the canal but still made for speedy paddling so it seemed no time before I spotted the Brave Duo as I cycled to meet them from Gairlochy, (on the correct side of the canal this time - why bring maps if you don't look at them). Given that we are not looking to get away from it all during this adventure, and want to be able to keep generous sponsors in touch with what we are doing I have to say there is nothing so cool as being able to blog in my tent! Eleanor has just been reading comments left on the blog - thanks for all the encouraging messages - glad you are able to follow us Jennie, and hello Cairistiona - say hello to everyone at Keills when you are back at school on Monday! Have lovely weekends!

Day 2. Neptune's staircase..

Neptune's staircase is probably one of the most amazing engineering feats along the canal - it is a ladder of eight locks that raises the canal about 25m above sea level over a distance of less than 500m. The steep climb was challenging for the portage system but we rewarded ourselves with snacks and then El and James were off again for an easy paddle to Gairlochy.

Day 2. Corpach to Banavie.

Sitting in the car at Corpach, kayak together and El and James are ready to paddle to Banavie and Neptune's Staircase. The rain has stopped but the wind is now blowing at what the Met Office would describe as near gale force - but it is blowing in the right direction and the canal is pretty safe so I need to log off and get my bike so I can follow along on the tow path.

It's not very far to Banavie, but you do feel really thick when you cycle up the wrong side of the canal only to be confronted by a railway line which you can't cross. Had to cycle back to Corpach and then back up the other side so I could help El and James portage round Neptune's Staircase - a series of 8 locks - so they could paddle the next section of canal. As you can see my bike is an essential part of our portage system.

Day 1. El's clever photo for Michal.

Eleanor says "What about this one Michal?".