Had a lovely, yet chilly, paddle down An t-Alltan Dubh (The Black Water), by Garve today with Kenny…

Rain yesterday brought levels up just enough to enable the entire section to be run, with only a few knuckle scrapes en route!

I ran the fall below the bridge a couple of times, while Kenny, getting a sweet line on the first run down under the bridge, decided to call it a day while on the top of his form!

Low levels meant the tow back was small on the final drop; wouldn’t recommend it at higher levels, unless of course you like death on a stick?!

Another week, another paddle down the Lower Findhorn…but this section of river never disappoints!

This week we were joined by our paddling buddy, Beven Yates, who lives down by the banks of the Soča River in Slovenia. We met Bevan and Jo (his wfie) while staying in their loverly hoose in Žaga, near Bovec, during our European Paddling Tour this summer (fab accommodation, see here: Extreme Slovenia).

Hats off to Jo, who, being a glutton for punishment, decided to do a charity cycle from Land’s End to John O’Groats…no mean feat! So, after completing the epic road race, they were passing back through in the area and decided to keep us company for the day…good times!

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Well, it might have been sunny, but the water today made it clear that winter’s on its way….brrrr!

After a few weeks off the water, I had a nice wee trip down the Lower Findhorn with Kenny, Dave, Stewart and Jules (from Norwest Sea Kayaking :: www.norwestseakayaking.com).

A few rolls, one swim and some raft-avoidance but no major incidents…biggest surprise was a salmom jumping over Dave’s boat!

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