Last day of the School hols.....

Last day, so headed up Ben Cleuch, not quite a munro but you start at nearly sea level. Very cold, numb face. The Law was very slidy with icy snow so a few feet off the path was fine. Very warm sun though. Perfect on the summit for half an hr, cooked up some soup, using an MRE flameless heater and hot choc. Back to work tomorrow.

Loch Ard Canoeing

A bit chilly, 1degs C, when we left, and a bit choppy but with a Windsurfer as a bow paddler we made no time up to the island, with the bothy. A quick setup of the Volcano stoves and tea and beans, not mixed, was ready. No need for gloves and a warming sun.

Swiss Army Ranger Volcano Stove

Recieved this cool stove, from a Group buy on http://www.bushcraftuk.com/ forum. Used the packaging for fuel. It can use a meths, trangia style, burner too.

The cup fits snugly on top, sealing the chimney effect.

Only a few mins 5-10, for a cuppa to be ready. Lighting the cardboard and letting it 'volcano' first then popping on the bottle or cup.

The burner certainly 'volcanoes' well, you can almost see wood gas effects, the gas would ignite if a match was held to it. Blowing in the lower hole shoots the flame up a few inches more.

Even though it was 3degs, the dog was happy watching/snoozing !

The cup, big enough for pasta/pot noodle for one, fits snugly into the side rack while the bottle is on. Note the cork upside down to avoid it blasting off, the bottle can be turned by the handle that supports the cup when it's boiling. This prevents the fire falling out.

A short video showing how to lock the bail for water bottle boiling.

http://s240.photobucket.com/albums/ff241/dyNick_Scots/?action=view&current=MOV08123000001.flv

Lake of Menteith - Mary Queen of Scots Islands

The launch beach is just past the SNH Ferry terminal. This carpark is 30ft from the beach below.

Very still and calm although it was reading 2degs on the car temperature gauge.

An easy and quiet paddle out to the Inchmaholme priory and the smaller island of Inch talla.

Inchtalla ruined castle. The island of Inchtalla, looks as though it's more of a crannog. Only rubble visible at ground level.

The site of the of the ruined castle. Worth a wander around.

It Always Rains in Scotland...........

No takers for a paddle 'too cold' quotes in emails. The launch beach at Millarochy Bay, just past Balmaha. Click on the photos for better sizes.

Too hot for a cag and shades req'd. Looking across at the Luss Hills.


Looking NE from behind Creinch.


Lunch stop, Port Bawn beach, Inchcailloch. No sound except for a drumming woodpecker and some squirrels throwing acorns down.

Luckily, didn't need my trowel out, as the composting toilet was open, just off camera left. The building on the background is a wee summer office for the rangers.

Live Ship Tracking

An interesting site showing live tracking of all sorts of ships and their destination and locations etc http://www.shipais.com/

Helps avoid being squashed at the likes of Rhu Spit by big subs !