RNLI Loch Ness Lifeboat rescue.

The following information was reported to us by the Loch Ness RNLI 

 

Loch Ness RNLI volunteers pluck kayakers to safety.   July 27th 2012

 

Four kayakers stranded as conditions turn for the worst.

Four charity kayakers were recued by volunteers from Loch Ness RNLI station today after loch conditions deteriorated as winds increased.

The group from Nottingham were paddling from Fort Augustus, to Inverness (a distance greater than Dover to Calais) to raise money for the Motor Neurone Disease Association when wind speeds increased and the surface of the loch became considerably more difficult to handle.

The group wisely made for the shoreline approximately 2.5 miles south of Foyers and called HM Coastguard in Aberdeen to inform them of their plight.

Coastguard watchkeepers paged the Drumnadrochit based RNLI team who launched their Atlantic 75 lifeboat, Thelma Glossop and made best speed to the group.

On arrival, one of the three RNLI volunteer swam from the lifeboat to make contact with the paddlers, check on their condition and implement a rescue plan.

Each kayaker was recovered to the lifeboat individually and the group were taken to Foyers pier to meet someone from their hotel.

The lifeboat crew of Martin Douglas, Ian Putnam and Neil Stebbings then returned to the rescue scene to collect the four sea kayaks and reunite them with the grateful paddlers.

RNLI Volunteer Helm, Neil Stebbings says: "The group were well kitted out, well prepared and made an excellent, and possibly life saving choice, to make for the shoreline. They knew exactly where they were and were able to give this precise information to the coastguard. This enabled us to locate them extremely quickly."

RNLI crew member Ian Putnam says: "We highly commend this group on taking good positive action."
To find out more about the Loch Ness Lifeboat

'Bandit' country

Regular guests who stay at Aspenwood Cottage last year noticed a very handsome red squirrel with a prominent striped tail visiting the nut feeders. They gave it the nickname 'Bandit' and kept an eye out for it every day as it was markedly different from all the other squirrels. This year we think the offspring of Bandit is appearing in the garden. It enjoyed playing about on all the garden ornaments and we think it is young because it was not so agile as an adult squirrel and kept falling off things. Tell us what you think Sarah and Paul.

Towpath walk at Fort Augustus

Monday was quite a fair dry day so we jumped in the car and drove over the mountain, skirting by picturesque Loch Tarff, and into Fort Augustus.The car park was almost bursting with tourists and the piper was playing his heart out.The weather turned out pleasantly warm as we strolled along and it was very relaxing watching the various boating craft going through the lock gates and out on to Loch Ness. We continued along the towpath by the side of the Caledonian Canal and as it was so pleasant we kept walking for some time taking in the sights and smells of the numerous wild flowers growing along the canal verges. The swallows with their young were skimming over the water with great agility catching insects on the wing.
A very pleasant walk.....so sit back and enjoy the slideshow.

Hello ducky.

The new Asda store on Sir Walter Scott Drive by Fairways Golf Course is to open soon.....on Monday 23rd July. This is exciting news [we do lead a sheltered life!] and also good for guests to get their shopping delivered to Aspenwood Cottage as well as online shopping from Tesco. There were lots of helicopters and private aircraft flying into Inverness today for the beginning if the Scottish Open Golf Championship which starts tomorrow at Castle Stuart near to the airport. On the way back from Inverness we noticed the hedgerows are now full of blooming honeysuckle and briar roses of various shades of creamy white through to a stunning deep pink. Had to stop the car near Dores as a mother duck with her four ducklings casually crossed the road and plopped into Loch Ness for a swim.....they don't care about Asda !

 

 

 

Hi July.

The first week of July has flown by and we have had quite moderate weather compared to other parts of the UK....mostly warmish temperatures in double figures interrupted by a few showers and the odd thunderstorm thrown in for good measure. More boats have been out on Loch Ness and the occasional shower of rain has helped the wild plants to bloom in all their natural glory. The prolific wildlife youngsters have been regular visitors at the feeders and the passing deer kindly mow the grass for us.