20 Jan 2012

Day paddle on Loch Lomond with Alan and Duggie Mac - 7-1-12

BACK down the Loch again for the first splash of the year on Saturday, January 7 with Alan and my old triathlon mucker Duggie MacNaughton, launching from Millarrochy Bay. Weather was to be calm early on, but with a bit of westerly wind mid-afternoon... how right they were...!


Duggie's and my boat on the beach at Millarrochy Bay just after we had been flung onto the beach by the mid-afternoon winds and waves probably a breezy F3/4.
However, just as Duggie and I were beaching, the bold Alan decided he needed more practice in the waves and headed off out onto the loch again for a spot of surfing.


Earlier, we had headed north up the loch to the Ross Islands, but with the high water on the loch there was nowhere to land, so we carried on down past Luss to Inchconnachan, to Mrs Colquhoun's summer house, to show Duggie the 'Muriel'.


Alan and Duggie with Luss and it's Horsehoe in background


Before we even got to Inconnachan, the winds picked up, as expected, and blew us down to the island for lunch.
Here Duggie is snapped by me using ONE hand to paddle and one on the camera - yes, me getting gallus in the waves..


The 'Muriel' by Jo Thompson in Mrs Colquhoun's summer house on Inchconnachan - images of the islands of Loch Lomond with Duggie (lft), me and Alan in 'Thinker' pose...


Luncheon stop on Inchconnachan


After Lunch stop on Inchconnachan, Duggie and Alan prepare to break cover.


Alan launches his new Tiderace - Gannet!


The water was so high on the loch that we could read all the info posts without getting out our boats.. here, Duggie reads about how the resident Capercaillies want peace and quiet.


High water in low places.


Lunch?


More high water that makes for interesting photo opporchancities.


High water low roots


High water low branches..


On Alan's return he tried the old... 'two legs out the boat before landing...' trick. However, just as the legs came out, a wave came in and then so did Alan, into the water.. here he attempts to pump out water.


On Alan's return he tried the old... 'two legs out the boat before landing...' trick. However, just as the legs came out, a wave came in and then so did Alan, into the water.. here he attempts to pump out water.


Alan and the Luss Horsehoe in background.



1 Jan 2012

Day trip on Loch Lomond with Alan, Chris and Andy - 27-12-11

It had been quite a whiley since I had been on the water due to one thing and another - the weather had been a bit mince, that's my excuse, and I'm sticking to it.
But, a call to the 'Loch' on the quietest day of the week after Christmas, the 27th (Boxing Day, the day before, saw the wind blowing up at F4/5 and the day after was just as bad if not worse!
A gorgeously calm Tuesday invited fellow Glasgow club members Alan, Chris and Andy and myself to launch from Millarochy Bay, Loch Lomond. Plus I got the chance to debut my all-new Palm dry trousers and Lomo boots.


From left: Alan, Chris and Andy enjoy the stunning view up the loch to Ben Lomond and beyond.

Ben Lomond through the trees of Inchconnachan

 The water of Loch Lomond was particularly high on the day due to the vast quantities of rain that had fallen in the area in the month of December.
It was a short walk to the water's edge from the car park when usually it's a fair wee trip down the beach.


In the distance fellow paddler Ross joins us to launch with Chris Bell, Alan Lindsay and Andy McManus setting off.

The Luss Horsehoe is a gorgeous scene to paddle past, as Alan, Andy and Chris glide through glass-like water.

Alan, Andy and Chris.

Chris, Andy and Alan framed by the Luss Horsehoe.

Andy cruises through the trees on Inchconnachan that have been swamped by the rising waters of Loch Lomond.

Andy cruises through the trees on Inchconnachan that have been swamped by the rising waters of Loch Lomond.

Views of Ben Lomond through the water-logged trees.

Views of Ben Lomond through the water-logged trees.

Looking north up Loch Lomond with Ben Lomond on right.

Alan, Chris and Andy framed by the Luss Horsehoe.

The sleak Capella at rest while I stretch my legs and loosen my over-tightened dry trousers' ankle velcro strap after I lost feeling in my right ankle... (new pants and boots from Santa).

The reflections from swamped trees at the north of Inchconnachan. (Is that a very large Otter watching?).

We met up with paddlers Ross and Ian at the north beach on Inchconnachan.

Where else? The Luss Horseshoe.

Meeting up with Ross and Ian on Inchconnachan just in time for lunch, a fire and some chocolates (thanks Alan).

Still calmness abounds with the summit of Ben Lomond shrouded in low mist

Visitors, Ross and Ian, accept Alan's Ferrero chocs.

Nope, it wasn't snow, but light rain that came with the low cloud just as we set off back to Millarochy Bay via rounding Inchlonaig (ahead).