Liverpool University Canoe Club

Aussie Dave: Scotland parts 1, 2 and 3

Another trip, another video. Scotland was tops and now we have video to prove it. Same formula as every video, stick some cool tunes in the background and enjoy the carnage.

After a brief chat with Andy Rahooooo it has been decided he is looking after DVD production for this year. So keep an eye out for A Scotland with bonus other stuff to roll of the press some time in the next couple of weeks. In the meantime, a full big screen fat arse version of these clips landed in Bagot Street this afternoon, so if you want to watch it knock on their door.

One or two photos.

Kim Album 1, Kim Album 2, Katie

and some more (which require login):

Lindsey 1, Lindsey 2, HelenJ, Kev (Etive), Kev (Mountain walk), Kev (Orchy), Stu (Poorly boat), AndySq, Stu (Rescuing poorly boat), Adventures of TamTam, Penny 1, Penny 2, Cath, Laura N (walking), Laura N (paddling), Alex, Ash 1, Ash 2, splinky Phew.

A very random selection:

See also AndyR’s report and Si’s report

Words: Aussie Dave Pictures Andy R 

We hit Scotland over Easter, The beer probably flowed quicker than most of the water but a good time was had by all.

It was a bit dry but on the whole we made the best of it. First day was a scrape down the etive, big falls over rocks landing in a little bit of water, just deep enough to stop your feet getting hurt. The last drop was shoulder poppingly fun, ruling me out from boating for the rest of the weekend. (but hopefully not for the alps)

Friday, I did a whole lot of walking and sleeping while everyone else made their way down the Arkaig, followed by the Spean Gorge, it appears there was enough water to cause some fresher based carnage. (Wish I was there to watch).

Saturday was a walking day, bit a of a lack of water, meant we split into 3 groups walkers, hardcore walkers, and mountain bikers. The mountain bikers discovered that most the paddlers in Fort William over Easter wanted to hire mountain bikes for the day and turned into walkers number 3.

Sunday was a day of the Findhorn and of course… silly hats

 And Randolph’s leap (insert Rachel’s story here).

The problem with borrowing photos is that I only get what I am given - I don’t yet have any pics of the evening’s costumes, which were tops. The freshers made a particular effort, with a whole lot of Knights (some saying Ni, some not) were on display Cath was dressed in Black and losing limbs by the minute.

Then we wrapped it all up with the Etive again on the way home. Thanks to the drivers (Will, Cath, Rachel, Dom, Kev) and an extra special thanks to Will for organising the trip and signing us up for another year, before this one is done.

Photos are courtesy of Andy Rahoo!

If you’re lucky, your easter bunny will just be some wiganese madman dancing round in a kilt. Have a good break guys, and see you next term! Remeber to put the important dates in your diary ready for some paddling over easter and in the new term. Important dates are

• WWSafety 31st March with Will,
• Scotland 5-9 April have a great time guys!
• Then BUSA polo the weekend just before term starts, i.e. 21, 22 April Cmon our teams!
• Then first Pool Session is Thursday 26th April, after which some nightclub disaster seems inevitable.
• First Excellent Trip of Term is a minibus to Slalom oughtibridge on the 28 29 April, suitable for all including beginners, see Medic Dave,
• Second Excellent trip of term Sat 5th May is Nev’s marvellous adventure to Angelsey-land, where there will be Whales and Mermaids. Or maybe just excellent surf, suitable for all, including beginners.

Hi just posting to remind you that the two biggest trips of the year are coming up - if you haven’t booked your place yet, then do it now - collar Will and Ade at the AGM or mail them

Scotland is Thurs 5th Apr-Mon 9th April with scottish burns, scary easter bunny (will), bunkhouse madness and swim-whiskies. You need to see Will, pretty much now, or sooner!

Alps (France contingent, minibus trip) is Friday June 8th - Sun June 17th and you need to see Ade. This trip to France is aimed in general at everyone, and involves paddling silvery water in the french alps in continuous sunshine - a somewhat different experience to blighty! (NB The subsequent “peaches trip to austria”, in individual cars, is just for the more capable people, chat to Will if you are interested in that extra week, but note that places are very limited.)

Both these trips are going to be great. If you are an, er, less confident paddler, then to get the most out of these trips, do try to go on as many weekend paddling trips beforehand as you can fit in. There will be rivers of various grades to suit all abilities, and the main aim is to get you paddling.

Note that Will is running a safety day in preparation for these trips, and in general for all of us to get/keep our safety skills up-to-date.

happy paddling

Anyone wanting to go on the Scotland trip, deposits due first pool session of Spring term, press £50 scottish pounds into Will’s hand.

Message from Will: I will be collecting deposits for Scotland of £50 at the pub after the 1st pool session of next semester. Beds will not be reserved for anyone, 1st come 1st served, depends how much you want one to how effective you will be to at claiming one on that Thursday evening upon arrival!!!!!Obviously beds will be claimed on the Thursday eve, people travelling up later WILL be camping!!!Any queries please do not hesitate to contact me.Have a Merry Christmas and a Fantastically drunk and very merry new year and i will see you for some ass kicking paddling in 2007 Will

Video from Blame Dave underwater productions soon.

The Paddling was as follows:

Thursday Upper and Middle Orchy

Fri (Main group) Arkaig and lower Spean from lodge to spean bridge. Other Group, Orchy upper and middle, Spean Gorge and Arkaig

Sat Roy Gorge, Lower Roy, Spean Gorge

Sun Findhorn Upper Middle and Gorge

Mon Orchy Upper and middle

• Will 0
• Dinny 0
• Ade 0
• Clur 2 Orchy
• Mike 0
• Aussie dave 1 (technical) Roy gorge
• Cath 0
• Si 1 Upper Findhorn
• Rachel 1 Spean Gorge
• Chris Craw 3 Upper Orchy, Arkaig, Roy Gorge
• Anna 1 Upper Orchy
• Alison H 3 Spean Gorge, Findhorn, orchy??
• Chris N didn’t paddle
• Laura N Didn’t Paddle
• Kev 3 middle orchy x2 Spean Gorge
• Matt C 1 Arkaig
• Jimbob 1 BOttom of roy nr spean confluence
• Lloyd 1 Middle orchy
• Ali D 2 Spean Gorge
• Ruth (Vet) 0
• Rob 1 (technical) Arkaig
• Sara 0
• Fran 3 Spean Gorge, upper orchy
• Jamie 1 Finhorn (Randolf’s leap)
• Andy Ince 3 Finhorn (Randolf’s leap), Spean gorge
• Matt W 0
• Tamsin 2 upper orchy, Spean Gorge
• Kaylia 2 upper findhorn, upper orchy
• Beth 1 Spean Gorge
• Penny 3 Spean Gorge x2 Middle findhorn
• Dom 1 Upper Orchy
• Rosie 2 Roy Gorge, Spean Gorge
• Ruth B 3 Spean gorge x2 findhorn
• Hal 3 Upper Orchy, Spean Gorge, Upper Findhorn
• Phil B 1 Arkaig
• Bob 1 Spean Gorge
• Dave Otterwell 0

We have Hal, Ruth B, Alison H, Penny, Andy Ince, Kev and Chris Craw who all tied on 3 swims each, however if we look at the amount of paddling each of these missing links between men and fish did we have one clear winner for number of swims against amount of paddling, which is KEV Who only paddled Finhorn (Randolf’s leap) stretches of river. Trip report from WillHooray

Lots of info - important stuff from Will

Right first of all this is the following list of people coming to bonnie wee
scotland :-,

Names mode of transport ETA Sleeping location
01 Me Uni Convoy Thurs FFB
02 Dinny Dinny car Fri FFB
03 Ade Ade Van Fri ades van
04 Mike L Ade Van Fri FFB
05 Clur Ade Van Fri FFB
06 Andy I Andy Car Thurs (late) FFB
07 Cath Uni Convoy Thurs FFB
08 Tamsin Uni Convoy Thurs FFB
09 Rachel Uni Convoy Thurs FFB
10 Si Uni Convoy Thurs FFB
11 Dom Uni Convoy Thurs FFB
12 Matt W Uni Convoy Thurs FFB
13 Ali Uni Convoy Thurs FFB
14 Sara Uni Convoy Thurs FFB
15 PENNY Uni Convoy Thurs Camp
16 Alison Uni Convoy Thurs FFB
17 Rob Uni Convoy Thurs FFB
18 Rosie Uni Convoy Thurs FFB
19 Jamie Uni Convoy Thurs FFB
20 MattC Uni Convoy Thurs FFB
21 Lloyd Uni Convoy Thurs FFB
22 Kay Uni Convoy Thurs FFB
23 Beth Andy Car Thurs (la e) FFB
24 Ruth M Uni Convoy Thurs FFB
25 Ruth B Uni Convoy Thurs FFB
26 Big Kev Uni Convoy Thurs FFB
27 Chris N Chris N Car Thurs FFB
28 Laura N Chris N car Thurs FFB
29 Hal Uni Convoy Thurs FFB
30 Fran Uni Convoy Thurs FFB
31 Aussie Dave Uni Convoy Thurs FFB
32 Jimbob Uni Convoy Thurs FFB
33 Chris Crawley chris’s car Thurs camp
34 Anna Carpenter chris’s car Thurs camp
35 Esme Ades van Fri ades van
36 Dave Dinny Fri camp
37 Phil B ? bobs car Thurs camp
38 Bob ? bobs car Thurs camp

Camp = camp obviously
FFB + Fighting for beds
Ades van + self explanatory

The Guys who signed up late i have already mentioned to them that they need to provide a case of ale ( a 24 pack of either lager or bitter of decent variety not tesco’s value variety) for their attendance and they need to sort out they’re own transport costs etc.

For those NOT GOING in Uni convoy you will be sorting out your own travel expenses.
For those in the uni convoy, i.e. mini bus, van, si’s car or my car will pay £50 to cover fuel and hire costs etc.

Meeting times are as follows

wed 12th 7pm to sort out paddling gear and load the van etc to minimise faff

Thurs am.

Thurs 13th 6am Meet at sheds to load up

Thurs 13th 6.20am We roll, IF YOUR NOT THERE WE WILL GO WITHOUT YOU BE
WARNED!!!!!

Thurs 13th 6.45 am Collect Sara from Haydock island M6 J23. WE WILL WAIT 5 MINS THEN GO!!!

Thurs 13th 1300 Get on Orchy

Thurs 13th approx 1830-1900 arrive at Grey corrie lodge

Fri 14th Meet the people coming on Fri somewhere to paddle.

We will try to endevour to run the trip in 2 groups water dependent as a beginner intermediate group and an advanced group, on the understanding that the people in the advanced group give up some of their time to help look after the beginner intermediate group for a trip or two.

Social arrangements

We will be based at Grey Corrie lodge so bring lots of beer, games etc what you think might be of use. evening entertainment usually consists of after people are fed and watered the alcohol fuelled fun and frolics usually commence, if you do not want to stay in there is a pub next door and one 500 yards down the road.

Sunday Evening we will be going to the caileigh at the pub down the road, so you will need bunny ears and a toga to participate, if you don’t want to take part and be boring and embarress yourself infront of people you probably will never see again unless you make scotland an annual excursion then, it is allowed that the goup can taunt and tease you until you buy each of them a beer!!!

You will also need something to make an easter hat to paddle in on the sunday, and there will be an optional competition of egg decorating to do where a prize will be given for the best one.

remember there is only 28 beds so some of us competing for beds will end up on the floor or camping so take a sleeping bag and something to sleep on as the floor is hard and cold!

FOOD

I will provide communal tea, coffee and sugar any other delights will be down to you to provide.

You should by now know your food groups.

If your in the uni convoy then DO NOT BRING FOOD OR BEER WITH YOU as we need every available inch to pack people and gear into the vehicles. We will do a shop in Fort William on thursday evening onthe way to the
lodge.

Personal Money

Remember we are in the back of beyonds so make sure that you have enough money for beer as ATM’s are few and far between and we cannot guarantee that they are taking cards and cashback.

Disclaimer and Medical info

can you please print off, complete and bring a copy of this with you please

ScotlandDisclaimer

Medical info

If you can provide me with the following, you can bring it with you on the
1st day

Next of kin contact details

Drs Name, address and contact details

List of medication you are on or are alergic to (if you want to keep this
confidential you can put it in a sealed envelope with your name on it, which
will be returned to you unopened at the end of the trip)

If anyone else has any other questions please call me and i
will answer them.

River levels

River guide info

I think that just about covers it,

enjoy the rest of your week and i will see you wed eve or thurs am.

Those of you travelling up independently have a safe journey and look
forward to having a few beers with you.

Will