Loch Lomond….. By your bonnie banks

Junior K2 Entry Tuesday after school outing. 9k 10 portages. The Young Pretenders training at Luss. Ben Lomond in background. Practicing portaging on and off a beach…. Going under Luss Pier.. The closest we get to a Tunnel. But hey Bruce came from this part of the world. Meanwhile Senior K2 skiving.

Crisis on calm waters

Loch Lomond looked as good as ever over the weekend. The Young Pretenders enjoyed some fine paddling. A paddle from Balloch to Balmaha and back of approx 22 km on the Saturday, and from Balloch to Ross Priory to and back of approx 14 km on Sunday. For both these outings the boys were joined […]

Cramps

06:00 and Henry wants to give the morning swim a miss, he is suffering from cramps in his leg is the given reason. Could this be an excuse… I leave the House Henryless, for he has chosen to stay in bed and was last seen somewhat forlornly rubbing the electric massaging implement (kindly leant by […]

More Deja Vu

06:25: it’s cold but there is the tiniest glimmer in the Sky which means Summer must be progressing towards us- no matter how slowly or haphazardly it may be doing so. I am in car with boat on roof outside Private Pikes house. 06:35 and no sign of Pike or indeed life at his residence. […]

The Young Pretenders restart their campaign

Last night Henry and Morgan, got back in a boat again, and took off immediately. Clearly the break has done them no harm. They absolutely destroyed Beaujolais in a K1. Just a quick 7km, they now hopefully will start to build up the miles over the next 4 weeks. For the boys the next 4 […]

Sub 16

Yes, yes, yes. Finally, it’s happened. After weeks of hard dieting and a little exercise, Beaujolais has finally broken though the 16 stone barrier for the first time this year. Weight this morning 15 stone 13 lbs and 9 ounces!!!! I have an urge to pump white smoke out of a chimney in celebration. Last […]

Spring……?

We are now enjoying our second day of consequetive sunshine. In fact Before Sunday I cannot remember when I last saw the sun. We have now recovered from our “Mock” Waterside B experience, and it is to be hoped that Private Pike has recovered from his Sailing Crews Victory Dinner on Saturday night! Not only […]

Waterside B…owling

For the past 3 years Waterside B has involved, leaving Helensburgh late on the Friday Night and heading South for Newbury. The weekend generally costing a fortune in fuel, with an approximate round car trip of 900 miles, 16 hours of driving and the loss of the whole weekend for a total return of 28km […]

Sacrifices and Extra Virgin Olive Oil

Private Pike and I enjoyed a long night time paddle yesterday. Cold and breezy conditions, and the odd unexpected encounter with; storm debris, wildlife, strong unseen streams kicking the boat 10 metres sideways, and regular powerful gusts (from differing directions) meant the paddle was most entertaining. Private Pike proving the perfect partner to share the […]

Bounding through the snow

Even though Private Pike is back, no paddling yesterday, not worth then angst of driving through the snow. Accidents everywhere at one stage. So swim, hike and 6km run/ circuit were the order of the day. The swim and run pretty leisurely affairs, however with young Pike in company the run/ circuit was not. Deep […]