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!