So packed and off at 9am we made great progress in high spirits - so much so we made it to the site we meant to camp at in great time and had an early lunch there - the swell was ok but still slightly choppy for an open canoe... But the sun was out and all was progressing well
After lunch we Congo uberaba again found some choppy water so did it in 2k chunks and then rested which continued for most of the way until we went the wrong side of a fish farm (no signs pointing us in the right direction) so we landed on the beach to asses the situation and also quizzed the people found nearby - some polish gentlemen working for the farm - "just paddle across those pipes - they will drop as you cross" they said...
After a little discussion we sent a test canoe towards the pipes (whilst another got the camcorder out) and a test crossing was a success... So on the rest followed
This was about 2k from our camp for the night and with the fish farm behind us we had a bit of slack water which made easy paddling for a while...
Nobby then said there was a rouge wave coming and be ready and we all had no issue but then the 6 or 7 of it's friends arrived and we were back in the swell again.. As we got closer to the shore it became clear we just had to land the canoes straight on the beach in the swell. Fine until you get closer and they grow - about 1.5m swell.
So looks were exchanged and it was every canoe for itself - we went in one by one - it was like the d day landings with craft landing on the beach at a rate of knots and people jumping from them and securing the canoe before the wave behind filled the canoe to the top... (did have a couple of full canoes in the end)
What a way to end an epic paddle across such a large loch
So camp was set - the sun was shining - the kit was dried and a few beers had in a local pub...
Now to bed to finish the final 12k in the morning
But I have to say I have the best view from my hammock looking down the length of loch ness.
Night
Nik
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