So, not often is it that I paddle on Saturdays, but the Fort William Mountain Festival gave a few of us an excuse to head down to Lochaber at the begining of the weekend and take our chances on the Roy Gorge.

I’d never been on the gorge section (only the upper upper section down to Wish You Were Here), so was really looking forward to it…was also looking forward to an opportunity to have a good paddle without any stupid swims!

Despite Paul taking an early bath following a pretty heafty knock to the head on Wish You Were Here, the day was a blast. The river was fairly low (midway between the two quartz veins below Roybright on river left), but it was a nice level none-the-less and not too cold (although the poggies were out in force regardless).

Other than the constriction formally known as ‘Headbanger’ which is no longer runnable (now to be named Eas a’ Mhadaidh - Wolf Falls - I’m told), there were no major incidents for a change and the only swims were acceptable swims; so all-in-all a grand day out on the river!

For a change, not many photos of this trip, but Matt and my good self took loads of footage, so here’s a wee film of the day:

Ok, so a cold Sunday brought with it a quick trip to the Lower Findhorn (An t-Uisge Eireann Iosal) for Me, Jo, Stewart, Mike and Richard.

Now, I had a total ‘mare of a paddle, so I’m going to gloss over the detail…suffice to say, I swam for the first ever time on the Lower Findhorn and, given I really hate the no.1, I decided to swim again!!

Both really stupid swims and ones which I wish to forgoet…only saving grace was that I wasn’t the only one. In fact, only Stewart – in his brand new playboat, paddled for the first time – made it down unscathed…well done to the (for the time being!) River God!

Still, the river was a good level (mid-low on Where’s the Water) and there were some lovely playwaves which kept me well entertained when I wasn’t washing my hair…despite the chilly dips, a good day out on the river…

Well, after arriving back in Scotland, I thought it was about time that I have my first trip on the water in 2011!

A wee bimble down the Middle Findhorn (an t-Uisge Eireann Meadhan in Gaelic) in playboats, with Kenny, Pete, John and Emma.

While there was still some snow on the ground and ice on the river banks, it was surprisingly warm…ok, so it’s wasn’t actually ‘warm’ but it was less cold than I expected!