That Sinking Feeling (Monday -15th)

We woke up to a sunny morning, looking out the kitchen window at a very calm Loch Ness.  In retrospect, we should have jumped in the kayak then because it was to be the nicest morning we saw.  The kitchen in our cottage is the friendliest room in the house because it’s heated all the time (controlled by some Scottish electric company that stores the heat and then releases it at set times), and it has a beautiful view down the locks to Loch Ness.  We can watch the boats being moved up and down the 5 locks all day long as they leave Loch Ness and move upland to Loch Oich via the Caledonian Canal.

After having breakfast Paul took a hike up the towpath to see how far we might be able to kayak.  When he returned we blew up the kayak and walked a short distance up past the locks to put in at the end of a dock.  It was a fine kayak ride until we noticed the kayak beginning to sag a bit, losing air.  We were about a half mile up the canal and decided to head back and minimize carrying the kayak instead of it carrying us.  After a bit, we began slowly taking in water at Paul’s heavier end (the back).  Along the way, walkers on the towpath would look at us and say, “It looks like you’re sinking”.  Sure enough, when the water finally reached Jan’s butt, we finally pulled ashore just above out “put-in” and we assessed the situation.  Fortunately, the leak was coming from the inflation valve; it seems it went on cross-threaded and the gasket wasn’t fully seated– thus the leak.  Unfortunately, we hadn’t thought to bring the air pump with us… Lesson learned!  However, it was an easy fix since we were right along the towpath and not far from the cottage. 

Jan took a couple of nice photos of a highland horse in amongst the gorse.  The highland horses are short and stout, with large hooves.  If you’ve ever read about the battles of Robert the Bruce, you’ll know the Scots rode such stout short horses which was part of their success against the tall, heavy English stallions that got mired in the marshes and moors.

After our kayak adventure we walked around this cute little town, which includes a small butcher shop where we bought bridies and meat pies for lunch.  There’s also a local grocer, a souvenir shop (of course), two pubs and a fish and chips shop. 

Paul went out for a hill hike in the afternoon while Jan stayed inside in front of a cozy fire.  In the evening we watched a movie, listened to music with a bottle of wine that our host gave us, and read.