Sticks, Canoes and Midges.

I only went in there for a fibre-glass gel coat repair kit. 

"How come then, Stevey boy, you are now driving away with another new blow up two man canoe?". "Awww, c'mon, give me a break, it was just too good a deal to walk away from!"

I was on my way to Cashel forest to complete my journey from the special beach at Port Lligat in Spain. The three pieces of driftwood faithfully collected from the beach were soon to be resting with Kate at her beautiful spot overlooking Loch Lomond. The Chandlers in Glasgow were on my route and I needed the fibre-glass gel repair kit for a couple of small repairs to Sadie. I was not to know that on display was a really good quality, last of the stock, blow up two man canoe. A good price too which became even less after a bit of bargaining. Well. I just could not resist it. Especially with a trip to the Hebrides coming up and the potential for fun already established over the past few weeks with the little one man canoe.

Budgets? "Errrr yes! They will need to be re jigged a bit......again!

Canoe was duly flung into Sadie and the journey to Cashel continued. A quick lunch conveniently taken during a heavy shower then Tanya and I headed up the track to Kate's bench and memorial spot at the viewpoint.

The views were as usual spectacular. More so as there was a mixture of heavy shower clouds over the hills with equal amounts of sunlight giving a forever changing breathtaking panorama. There was a crowd up there too. Unfortunately they were not there for the panoramic sunshine and cloud driven video show. They were there for my blood! They were serious too and in vast numbers.

Midges!

I was in shorts, short sleeved shirt, sandals and carrying an umbrella to fend off the showers. There was no doubt about it. I was manna from heaven for these squillions of voracious Scottish Midges.

I did reverently place the sticks. I did manage a short reflection but then had to move swiftly as they were literally covering me and biting like hell. Tanya was also getting affected so was equally pleased to be moving which thankfully gave us some relief from the hovering clouds of sharp jawed and blood lusting terrorists of the Scottish heather. As I write this my arms, legs and face are like pin cushions with little red Midgy bites.

A different visit but with mission achieved and still only late afternoon. I had booked a site for the night just across the road at the Caravan and Camping Clubs Forestry site. This was right on the Loch and thankfully clear of Midges.

Water. New Canoe. I guess it was a 'No brainer' really. An hour later saw Tanya and I on the Loch Lomond island directly across from the campsite. New Canoe was OK!  Swim in the Loch was OK too and gave relief and curative balm to a skin hot and stressed with the effort required in dealing with the recently experienced Midge holocaust.

I am informed the Outer Hebrides are not too bad in respect of Midges!

Hmmmmm! I'll let you know.