Month: September 2012

Boots N Paddles recently ran a 3-day expedition for the Whale & Dolphin Conservation Society as a way of raising some much needed funds for this worthy charity. One of our guides Ross Boardman was joined by Alice, Mary, Ioan and Pete (the fab fundraisers) and Pam from our office. Pam pulled together a few thoughts for our blog - hope you enjoy reading them and hope you might also be inspired to join a trip in the future, helping the WDCS raise some much-needed funds in the process. Day 1: Broomhill – Ballindalloch There was a strong sense of anticipation from the group as we prepared our canoes at the river-side.  Ross ran through a few elementary things before we put into the water.  As soon as we were on the river our paddling tuition began in earnest, with Ross introducing some basic strokes and we were off.  We practised coming from the current into an eddy all morning, ferry gliding, edging, bow rudders and draw strokes as we enjoyed the beautiful countryside with the stunning Cairngorms in the background.  Everyone was up for learning and the group gelled really well in their paddling pairs, with Pete and Ioan in one canoe and Alice and Mary in another.  By the end of the first day we had tackled our first rapids confidently and we were travelling at good speed down the Spey. Our first night was wild camping near Ballindalloch, although the group agreed we were doing it in some considerable style with our teepee, wood burning stove, gourmet cooking by our supremely capable guide Ross, and a glass of wine to wash it all down.  Still, we felt that we were really getting back to nature and sharing all the chores of setting up camp really helped pull