Saturday 20 August 2016

Canoe Capers with the Kids (plus walking with trees by Plodda Falls)

River Cannich in Cannich village

Five kids, four adults, one dog and a massive picnic - in a canoe!

Jim heads out on the first leg - Loch Beinn a'Mheadhoin

Not all at once of course.

A long weekend staying at Cannich Caravan and Camping Park with the grandkids gave us an excellent chance to engender a love of the outdoors...

So, with an great weather forecast and lots of kit, we launched our little boat from the Forestry Commission car park by Loch Beinn a'Mheadhoin (NH243262) in Glen Affric...

Rafe - Loch Beinn a'Mheadhoin - with the canoe in the distance

A few at a time, we paddled east across the loch to one of the islands...

Those left behind, just couldn't keep themselves out of the water (chilly as it was!) and there was a certain amount of splashing and some extreme paddling.

The next leg heads out across Loch Beinn a'Mheadhoin

A lovely day for a paddle on Loch Beinn a'Mheadhoin

Once we were all transported to a remote spot, miles from civilisation and we had eaten the vast majority of our rations - Jim took it upon himself to give canoeing lessons to everyone over the age of five.

On Loch Beinn a'Mheadhoin

Canoe practice on Loch Beinn a'Mheadhoin

And the weather was just about right for a bit of wild swimming.

On and in Loch Beinn a'Mheadhoin

More canoe practice on Loch Beinn a'Mheadhoin

Its fairly chilly - in Loch Beinn a'Mheadhoin

A great day - and I think they all enjoyed it!

Loch Beinn a'Mheadhoin

Day Two - and the weather was lovely again - time for a trek through the impressive woods around Plodda Falls...

Walking in Coille an Tuathanaich near Plodda Falls

Giant Douglas Firs near Plodda Falls

Boulder hopping on Abhainn Deabhag near the bottom of Plodda Falls

Boulder hopping an Abhainn Deabhag near the bottom of Plodda Falls

Plodda Falls

Looking down onto Plodda Falls from the viewing platform.
Can't wait until next year...

Beinn Bhrotain and Monadh Mor

Setting off from Glen Feshie - it was chilly - before the sun had a chance to peep over the hills...  Off we go! Jim - Setting off near Auch...