ROCKHAGGIS

Day 9 Sunday 16^th May 2010

Arose early – Broke camp and headed into Fort William with a gentle tail wind. Again very conscious that I didn't want to tip over and look a total prat in-front of the bustling tourist population that is attracted to the town. Recognised as a major starting point for many outdoor activities including the Ben Nevis climb.

 

 

Passing the town centre area and the pier I continued north east until having passed the entrance to the river Nevis , I made out the wide and shallow entrance to the River Lochy further ahead, which I had to navigate a mile or two inland to reach the camp site that I had selected for my BaseOne Camp.

 

 

The trip up the river grew more difficult as it narrowed and the flow increased. At some points I had to dismount and pull the kayak through shallows and rapids, but eventually I saw the wide pebbled bank that bordered the camp site.

Its a really nice site that I would have no hesitation in recommending to anyone – every thing clean and tidy, well laid out with a fantastic vista over the river, looking up at Ben Nevis.

I shall spend a week here – chilling, catching up with this blog and repairs etc etc.

End of phase one of six. Next phase, the Caledonian Canal, LochNess and Inverness.

Footnote to Phase One

The shallot its culinary virtues. Small, light but add bags of flavour to what after all is a very repetitive menu.

Wires – the more connections the more places for problems!

Noodles a great success so far.

Overall the rations packs seem to be sufficient.

Found more space at rear of kayak for 4 more litres of water – now can carry 8.

Progress slow both because of the persistent and abnormal north westerly and that I just don't want to over do it at the beginning.

After the first few days I am all aches and pains – most I know will disappear soon.

Anyway don't want to jeopardise the trip by and long term injury.

Ticker seems to be bearing up well – had a few moments when I've been pushing too hard , trying to navigate a section with no landfalls as quickly as possible before the next flurry of wind makes the going to risky.

But on these few occasions I have hit the pain wall, just. So need to make sure I work within my limitations.!

Most annoying thing is that I've been unable to get any broadband connection and more annoying is the difficultly I've had getting the lappy charged – however, fingers crossed I cracked that one.

Had many thoughts and things that come to mind that id like to write about but as yet, with the lappy problems and not yet getting into the swing and discipline of writing stuff down – most of the blog will be very retro and sketchy to start with ---- hope it improves as we go along.