Hilux Camper build.

Posted by explorecowal on August 13, 2017
Posted in: wildcamp #microadventure. Tagged: , , , . Leave a comment

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.



Clyde Swim 2017

Posted by explorecowal on July 10, 2017
Posted in: Paddling. Tagged: , , . Leave a comment

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 👍. 

New Craft

Posted by explorecowal on July 3, 2017
Posted in: Paddling. Tagged: , . Leave a comment

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’. 

F-RIBS&SIBS.COM a friendly forum. 

Posted by explorecowal on June 8, 2017
Posted in: SIB. Tagged: , , . Leave a comment

The one stop shop for small inflatable boat adventures. 


With the boating season under way the open water awaits. If your looking for advice and banter regarding getting or being on the water f-ribsandsibs.com is a friendly forum with a wealth of knowledgeable members. It’s also a place to  tell of your seafaring tales. 


“The inflatable boat, whether being a folding rib (F-Rib / Winboat) or a SIB (Soft Inflatable Boat) has become a popular choice for people from all walks of life. The affordability, minimal storage solution, ease of transport and unloading from the vehicle – to launch time makes it very easy for many to consider having their own small craft. 

We found it difficult to find a friendly and informative website for folding inflatable’s and sub 4.6m Ribs , So F-Ribs And Sibs.Com was born. 

We are like minded boaters that just enjoy what we do when we can, If we can share or advise our experiences with fellow enthusiasts, then that’s a job well done !!! 

So come on in, pull up a chair, put your feet up and participate in a new but active & friendly community where banter and help flows naturally”. 

Turbine Tour,Glendaruel. 

Posted by explorecowal on May 29, 2017
Posted in: Biking, Walking. Tagged: , , . Leave a comment

A walk that may or may not be to everyone’s taste. 

A blot on the landscape or engineering marvel? You decide. 

7 miles. 

Looking for something different, a walk round the perimeter of the Cruach Mhor wind farm. 

Parking by the main road (A886) a forestry road winds its way up the hill giving access to the wind farm. The construction of the access road in generous due to the logistics of getting the apparatus to site. Easy to navigate without straying off onto the spur roads. 

A maze of tracks leading to the turbines awaits, a good circular route can be chosen to circumnavigate the turbines. 



First view of the turbines. 

On the time of visit the mist wasn’t far away, sometimes engulfing the structures. They could be heard but not seen until within 100mtr proximity. 


Some of the 35 turbines. 

Misty


Access

The tracks within the site are fairly undulating, so after the initial climb progress is easy.  


An interesting walk, something different that divides opinion. 

​​
Some info on the wind farm HERE. 

Loch Tarsan Shores. 

Posted by explorecowal on May 21, 2017
Posted in: Walking. Tagged: , , , , . Leave a comment

An unplanned route taking full advantage of the low water level at the reservoir allowing the full circuit to be completed. 

8 miles. 


Outward bound on the forestry road that provides views over Loch Tarsan, a picnic bench perfectly placed for a break. 


The original plan was to head to the head of the loch and return on the same route. 

On arrival at the larger than normal shore, the recent prolonged dry spell was evident – the flow from the inlet pipe at minimum in comparison to previous visits. 

The water line had dropped enough to provide sufficient foreshore to allow progress without the usual restrictions of rocks, vegetation and trees. 


The last remaining parts of the old building on the shore still holding together. 


Ground conditions were a mixture of stone,rock,boulders and silt – softer areas could be easily avoided, but the first warning is usually the attempted abduction of footwear. 

Raised platforms and diminishing fence lines that disappear into the water perhaps signs of the Glen prior to flooding. 

 

Rugged terrain easily negotiated although 1ft less of water would have made progress easier. 


The old boat launch remains. 


A climb up the bank at the big dam did not pose a problem. 



The return to start was via the main road as time was against us on already extended route. 

Something completely different that can’t be undertaken normally. It’s not often it’s so dry for so long in the West 👍


Loch Tarsan; is a freshwater loch and is an impounding reservoir located 13 kilometres Northwest of Dunoon, on the Cowal peninsula in Argyll and Bute, Scotland. This three-armed Reservoir extends into both Glen Tarsan and Glen Lean. It supplies water to the Striven Hydro-Electric Scheme (also known as the Cowal Hydro-Electric Power Scheme). The larger of the two dams is 17.6 metres high and was completed in 1953.