A few wee locations, all offering something different.
** Please take your litter home, leave any site as you found it, if not better**
OFF GRID:
Ardentinny: Semi Rural – Large
Coastal-Forestry Walks/Cycles-Forestry Toilets (seasonal), no drinking water.
Loch Eck, Dornoch Point: Rural – Small
Lochside-Kayak-No facilities.
B836,Loch Tarsan: Rural
No Facilities-Walking
Being absent from the Munro scene for a while, (4 years I think) whilst trying out my new tent a Munro in the morning was an obvious choice.
Setting up just as it was getting dark, hoping the forecast for the next day was going to be accurate.
The morning, as promised was was a bright one.
After packing up a short drive to the parking area at the start point for Meall nan Tarmachan. Due to the high altitude start point this is a short walk and ascent for a Munro – ideal as a reintroduction.
A short section on an unsurfaced road followed by a well defined path to the summit. A short steep section prior to the summit is the most demanding but not to strenuous.
There is an option to extend the route to include a circuit of the ridge, maybe next time!
Looking for alternative accommodation I decided to purchase a roof tent for the Hilux. 
With the bedroom sorted the truck bed with canopy were the ideal option to cook/relax in. The conversion of the back meant that it had to be something easily removable so it could revert to a pickup.
Initially a ply floor was installed, worked round the wheel arches and hinged side extensions allowing easy removal.
This would allow any units etc to be screwed down. 
Adding some non slip yoga mat to the underside
Floor in, it was time to butcher a unit from the B&Q Konnect range. Wheel arches really are a pain!! 
Whilst a lot of storage is lost due to the arch I didn’t want to loose to much floor space. I used a 4 cube for the main run. 
3 cubes didn’t have full depth due to the arch but managed a drawer pack to the rearmost cube.
Whacked in some novelty LED lights too 😂
Decided to add an upright 2 cube ( cut to suit again). This was to house an auxiliary battery and some power points. 
Again depth restrictions dictated another cupboard- top section just a shelf.
Decided to box in the opposite wheel arch with something more substantial, might clad it in the B&Q wood eventually. 
Tested in Glencoe
The gas stove takes cartridges so easily packed away or removed to cook outside/ free up space. 
Still a works in progress……
15.08.2017
Wee bit done tonight. Treated the tent with Fabsil and used up the backing board supplied with units ( couldn’t use as I butchered the units 😂) to clad the ply box. 
Terminated the end with one of the shelves stolen from one of the units I butchered.
Added some power from the cab cig lighter until I get a battery. 
17.08.17
Vinyl self adhesive tiles to the floor and ply box lid.
The Roof Tent
I’d been looking at roof tents for a while, both canvas (fold out) and hard shell (pop up) types. I decided hard shell was the way forward due to Scotlands climate – easier to erect and take down, less to get wet.
Whilst not as big as a canvas tent, there’s ample room for two and even a little one to make things cosy.
The tent looks similar to a roof box when in transit mode, not so aerodynamically challenged as the canvas folding type.
Some USB powered LED lights added
And a folding laptop table.
In action at the Lawers Range.
It was that time of year again, providing support for this well organised local event.
Conditions were somewhat breezy but this did not phase the 35+ swimmers that took to the waters of the Clyde.
I joined four other kayaks as we set off for the Cloch Lighthouse on the eastern side of the Clyde. Conditions for the crossing had me doubting my sanity, never mind about the swimmers. I never managed to get any photos whilst on the water, didn’t fancy loosing my phone!
The crossing took just over half an hour, landing north of the lighthouse out of the southerly breeze.
We awaited word confirming the exact locus of the start Point, the decision was made to start south of the Cloch in order to account for the wind.
Support boats arriving off shore, soon to be joined by the RIBs – show offs with their engines,ha.
We were joined by another 5 kayaks, who provided excellent additional support, their help most appreciated. I believe they belonged to a club from ‘the other side’, not sure which though.
The crossing was drama free, thankfully. With the presence of the RIBs, Cruisers and the kayaks, shore to shore was covered for any eventuality.
A fantastic well organised event I’m proud to say I was involved in. A huge well done to all organisers, support crew and participants, great effort 👍
Still upright!!
Thanks to Argyll and the Isles App for the water based photography 👍
The brother in law must have damaged his legs during the swim! Well done that man 👍.
Well having picked up the new kayak on Sunday, a test was well overdue. Loch Eck was the ideal locus.
An 8 mile paddle, first paddle in a year. Never tire of Loch Eck!
Had to stop en route for a beach cleanse too! What is wrong with these people!!!
With the SIB sold, the garage had a void that needed filled. Not wanting to be completely off the water returning to a kayak was the choice.
A P&H Scorpio LV.
A longer and narrower boat than I’m used to so the initial trial will be ‘interesting’.
The one stop shop for small inflatable boat adventures.
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