Loch Lomond

On the bonnie, bonnie banks of Loch
Lomond............That is where I was camped over the
three day weekend.  I was in a very little village
named Ardlui on the very northern tip of the loch.
The campsites were on the bonnie banks.

Maggie and I got on the road Saturday morning at 0500
and we arrived at Ardlui around 1000.  We would have
been there sooner, but I kept stopping to take
pictures.  This was my fourth attempt to invade
Scotland.  The first three were thwarted by 80 mph
winds and snow.  This weekend was spent almost
entirely in shorts.
After setting up camp and eating lunch, I drove around
and took some more pictures.  Around 1300, I put the
'yak in the water and paddled between 5 and 6 miles
south.  I knew it was time to turn around when I
spotted the ice cream stand on the eastern bank.  I
paddled over, waded through the crowd, bought a double
cone, and sat down on a bench to enjoy the sunshine
and the view.
I finished the cone, paddled back north, and set about
trying to learn about the new boat.  I have not foamed
it out yet, but I now have an idea of what needs to be
done.  I brought a block of mini-cell foam with me for
this purpose.  I can say already that the boat is a
pleasure to paddle.  It is not exceptionally fast, but
fast enough.  I was paddling on and off in 15 to 20
mph winds and never once thought about putting the
skeg down.  The boat has a ton of secondary stability
and it rolls easily.  Michelle will be taking pictures
of it home with her when she visits in June.

I finished off Saturday with a couple of pints of ale
from the local mini-brewery and a delicious dinner at
the local pub.  They happen to be in the same
building, which also serves as the office for the
hotel and the campground....talk about convenience.

I have decided to become Scottish.  Particularly, I
will become a highlander.  It is an incredible place
to see.  I got a chance to drive over to Fort William
from Ardlui on Saturday.  I parked the car in Glen
Nevis and hiked up to the top of Ben Nevis (highest
peak in the UK).  I took my time and was out for a
little over six hours.  The view is worth the climb.
I finished off Sunday with dinner at a local
restaurant, pub, hotel.  They happen to have the best
chefs in town.  I started off with the local mussels
(a bakers dozen) and finished it off with haggis....I
was tempted but went for a popular local chicken dish
instead, but from what I hear, haggis tastes a lot
like chicken.  I then took the coastal road south and
cut back across the highlands to Ardlui.

I paddled a bit more this morning and then loaded up
to get back.  I am still doing chores, but decided to
take a break for this and dinner.  I hope this finds
all well on your end.  More later......

DWR