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Sunday, February 12, 2017

A low point on the horizon but not in our spirits on Loch Shiel.

I have not updated the blog for some time due to ill health but I do make more regular posts on my Facebook page. Ian has started to post on his blog about a great trip we made back in October 2016 and this has prompted me to help create another of our stereovision adventures.

Mike and I travelled from SW Scotland and Ian and Lorna travelled from the NE. Sadly Lorna's husband Allan was not feeling 100% and didn't make it. This put a damper on our spirits  but what a great excuse to do this marvellous trip again, with Allan! 

We met at the Glenfinnan House Hotel where we had arranged to leave one car and launch from the hotel grounds into the fresh waters of Loch Shiel. Mike and I ran a shuttle car round to Samalaman Bay on the south side of the Sound of Arisaig.

Once on the water, we soon left the Glenfinnan Monument, which commemorates the fallen during the ill fated 1745 Jacobite rebellion.

We passed the Loch Shiel ferry, the MV Sileas. 

There is no public road along the length of Loch Shiel, so for most people a trip on the Sileas is the only way of seeing the isolated beauty of this Loch.

The hills on the SE shore are rugged and bare and...

...tumbled steeply into the silvery waters of the loch under dark grey skies.

Soon we were out in the middle of the loch where our bows naturally turned to the low point on the horizon. Somewhere beyond lay the sea, some 30km away.

From the middle of the loch we caught a better view of the marvellous mixed woodland of native deciduous and Scots Pine that has survived on the NW shore since the last Ice Age. A flash of brightness...

 ...attracted our attention to a marvellous golden leaved aspen whose leaves were shimmering in the light breeze.

Gradually the equinoctial grey skies brightened, a patch of blue sky appeared and our spirits soared....

For the full stereovision experience see Ian's account here...



14 comments:

  1. Great to see you back with entries on the blog Douglas, I hope it gets better with your health, your blog post is long awaited.

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  2. So delighted to see you posting again Douglas. This looks like the start of another great stereo vision adventure. I am now off to have a peep at Ian's view of this trip.

    Kind regards, Phil

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    1. Thanks Phil, I hope we can get back on the water soon :o)

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  3. Great to see and read your blog ! Hope you are feeling better x

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    1. Thank you Allison, I have managed out for three short trips since this longer one last October. :o)

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  4. Glad to see you're back posting Douglas. Hope you're over your health issues and good health in future.

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    1. Thank you Tony! I am still waiting to start treatment after a diagnosis in mid October! I am not letting that spoil my days though, just moving at a slower pace!

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  5. Somehow, time in the kayak cockpit gives lift and a "patch of blue sky" to weary spirits. So good to have stereo vision back! Warm wishes to you Douglas. PS Nice kayak! ;)

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    1. How very true Duncan, my Gran used to talk of how even just enough blue sky to patch a sailor's trousers would cheer every one up.

      PS how very perceptive of you to notice the kayak, you should try one!!! :o)

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  6. Replies
    1. Thank you Ian, it was you wot made me do it! :o)

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  7. Looks great. Keen to see the rest of the trip out to the sea!

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    1. Thank you Brian, the final bit down the rapid into the sea can be a bit hairy if the tide is out! :o)

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