Welcome to the ROCKHAGGIS Blogs

ROCKHAGGIS

 

I have four blogs at the moment,... plenty for now I'm sure!

  • The Kayaking Blog: Is intended to follow my progress from the planning stages right through to the completion of my intended Trip across The Last Colony. A journey in which I hope to capture the true beauty of this land and its people. In the process find time to reflect on personal issues that I'm hoping this journey might help resolve!  Why am I doing this???

  • The Camp Tucker Blog: I know the weather will turn, the wind blow and the sea swell. I will be confined to barracks. So I need something to occupy my time during this down time.... Camp cooking and related things seems to be the logical answer. I enjoy cooking, making something from nothing. The camp fire is so primal it must hide some secrets ... I'll explore.

  • The Last Colony Blog: Deep thoughts and ponderings about life, the world and all things made of cheese. Part of this journey will hopefully be to meet and talk to some of the inhabitants of this land and discuss their views and ideas about what is the future for The Last Colony. Plus a rant or two! :)

  • The Photo Blog: A store of Pictures & Video clips covering the whole course of my journey around the Last Colony. Also a place to list links to contributers web sites, blogs and to websites that have been useful resources in preparing this adventure.

Please feel free to add your comments wherever.I look forwad to hearing from you.

Duncan

Docked !!!

Saturday 9.30 landed at the Port Beag slip Oban. Job well done! Will write up much more and post some more pics ASAP - but big soft bed calls 'Duncidoo where are yoooooo! - I must go and sleep, sleep and dream and wonder. Time to unpack and reflect. But never fear - The adventure will continue - and new challenges will emerge ....... Thankyou !

Stealth alert!

Ok , so Monday came and went - the forecast was the same - but I couldn't wait any longer. Id rather be out there kayaking and getting closer to home than all this chilling out. Set off Tues day morning 4am - Headed down the river - much faster and fuller since all the rain. Still windy and rain all day - but made it through the Corran ferry straights - just - monstrous seas as I exited the straights - only just made it round the point and into a bay - spent three nights stranded there as storm winds battered the shore - finally Friday a forecast of calm-ish weather - again shot off early - away by 5am and paddled like crazy all day - -made it to within - 5 miles of Oban - could have gone the whole way but was really knackered and wet and cold - Plus I just fancied one more night out under canvas - Fingers crossed weather for tomorrow looks good. Should be home for late breakfast - and a BATH .

Cancelled until further notice :(

Well Im sitting here looking at the forecasts............... If anything they are getting worse! I still could get away early on Monday but at best I might get as far as the Corran Ferry. A best, then I would be pinned down for several days as the winds swing back to the SW and still strong enough to whip up heavy seas - making any headway to dangerous for me. So do I go ahead, but then spend as long as a week stuck on some desolate rocky perch or do I stay here and wait it out , as frustrating as that is, but at least having facilities here and a good pitch. Also this trip was supposed to be fun as well as a challenge and I would like a few days at sea with fine weather to lift my spirits. Don't want to end the trip on a low. Now it may be a bit whimpish but I've decided to stay here and wait it out , however long that might be. Wait until there is a good three plus days of good weather forecast. My big tent is on its way home by courier with all my goodies, so life will be a bit Spartan, however at least here I can hit the shops if necessary. The forecast is bad for at least another five days - who knows I might be back just in time for Christmas at this rate. Not happy but I think this is the wisest choice of action. So its goodnight for now, Return Leg cancelled until further notice !

Homeward Bound Restart !

Sunday evening - Wind gusting storm-force - many tents in the camp site flattened - thankfully mine is aliened to the wind direction - no problems so far. Still intending to set forth in the early hours. According to the forecast the wind should be changing direction to Westerly and calm some what - this Im hoping will give me enough time to get clear of Fort William and proceed in the lee of the western shore. Not really looking forward to it - still going to be wet and miserable, but at least I'll be under way. Just getting the last charge I can hear form the mains into the lappy - don't see much possibility for the next few days - rain forecast.

Homeward bound - Flight Delay !!

4am - poked head out tent - howling !!! heavy rain high winds ! Sea state rough ............. sleeping bag warm - out there cold ,wet and dangerous..... solution - cancel launch until weather improves. Launch Cancelled at T - 1. :) so I expect to be holed up in my little tent for a few days, this bad spell looks to last for a while. So much for weather forecasts! Come on Holland !!!!