“So if you get a tick on you just pop and see me or Chris and we will remove it…”
It was probably at this point that my friend, Bear Mel and I realised we were in over our head…
Because with a matter of days left with all my children in the hosue I’ve done what every future empty nester does and buggered off to Scotland on a 5 day wild camping 100km canoe expedition.
Day one was yesterday….
I’m not going to lie, so far Scotland has been blessed with the weather of a Spanish autumn which I believe has improved the experience.
Jeff, our geordie guide has kept us wildly entertained with all the possible ways we can get maimed in the wild – ticks on deers is so far my personal favourite.
The trip basically involves squeezing 5 days worth of clothes alongside a tent, inflating air bed, sleeping bag and “stuff” into one bag which is either on us or in the canoe.
Canoeing a long old way (albeit in breathtaking scenery), arriving at camp, setting up camp, talking and wild swimming, eating and (not enough) drinking, then listening to the sounds of nature as you attempt to sleep…
I know – it’s bloody lovely.
But also we have the digging of a hole to drop a human log in, the putting up on tent, the lack of showering and sharing nature with the midges who seem to have monopoly….
I know – it’s bloody terrifying.
The trip began with a 10 hour drive to the starting destination in a short range electric car – slight hair raising moment when we realised there were no chargers between Glasgow and Fort William; but a sign of relief when we found a Tesla charger can spark an MG4 in Fort William.
And oh my, Fort William didn’t disappoint.
One night of drinking amongst the Scots with live music and gin was incredibly epic.
But back to the boat.
So far, it’s been 21 hours, and I can tell you my sides hurt from laughing, my shoulders from paddling and my bottom from clenching in a desire to wait until a porcelain throne.
Swimming out on a loch as the sun started to set against a back drop of Ben Nevis was as beautiful as it sounds.
Listening to a hurricane start up in the night as we had only canvas for cover was as terrifying as it sounds.
Sat out watching the sunrise this morning, with a new group of 12 friends who are along for the ride – felt pretty special…
Life can be pretty amazing if you look for the happy.
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