This week an EBD (Extraordinarily Brave Duo) made up of James How and daughter Eleanor, aged 11, completed their cross-Scotland journey in an inflatable kayak for two. They have paddled about 100km across Scotland, from Loch Linnhe on the west coast through the Caledonian Canal to Inverness on the east coast. With Sally How as dauntless shoreside support, the pair travelled through sections of canal, and braved the waves (and monsters?) on a noticeably cold Loch Ness. They set off on Friday 10th September and finished nearly a week later, on 16th September. “Why?” Good question! It was an adventure for us all, but more importantly Eleanor and James were kayaking to raise money for Marie Curie Cancer Care and the Durrell Wildlife Conservation Trust” wrote Sally in their travel blog at www.ejxscotland.blogspot.com. Continue reading.......

James explained that their inflatable kayak was light and floaty to paddle and manoeuver, and ‘something different’ in which to make their crossing. About a quarter of the distance of their travels ran through canals, and during the remaining kms they passed through Scotland’s freshwater lochs. Eleanor, a pupil at Port Charlotte Primary School, had homework to do each day, in the form of writing of her experiences on the blog; "Thursday, 16 September 2010: Last Day. Last Homework...? “I have loved the whole trip and I don’t want it to finish. I haven’t seen much of Inverness. It is cold and extremely windy but it looks nice and has lots of farms around it, and lots of trees. No Narnians in Glen Affric I’m afraid. I had butter, cheese, mayo and baked beans on my baked potato. I wish I could skive on Monday but there is no way my Mum would let me!” “(Correct, Eleanor!). Now we have to find our tent in the dark!” wrote Sally. James reports that their fundraising has raised approximately £2000. to be shared between their two charities.

This story was published with kind permission of the Ileach local newspaper.

Tag: charity kayak scotland