Ferry Fares Fall to the Outer Hebrides
February 26, 2008 on 9:36 pm | In Uncategorized | No Comments
Interesting news today, the Scottish Government have announced the RET (Road Equivelent Tariff) is to be tested on the ferry routes to the Outer Hebrides (http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/scotland/highlands_and_islands/7264040.stm). They are predicting a third reduction on the shorter ferry routes.
This has got to be good news for the tourist market, as it will make it cheaper for people to visit the islands and it has to be good for the people who live here, as we will be able to travel to the mainland for less.
I suspect, the people who will win the most are the haulage companies who bring just about everything here, are they going to reduce their prices by the predicted third fall in ferry costs? Are we going to see the cost of our groceries fall? I would love to think so but … The opportunity to make more profit, umm?
I am happy it will make getting clients here cheaper and going away to race more afordable. All we need now is for Cal Mac to start the long over due Sunday ferry.
Tim Pickering
http://www.canoehebrides.com
Living in the world's biggest adventure playground - The Outer Hebrides
CanoeHebrides.com - Sea kayaking Expeditions
BikeHebrides.com -Quality Mountain Bike Hire
Wind Farms in the Outer Hebrides
January 25, 2008 on 3:15 pm | In Uncategorized | No Comments
Interesting news today on the BBC web site: (http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/scotland/highlands_and_islands/7208991.stm)
It is says it looks like Scottish ministers will not approve the massive wind factory development which was in planning for northern Hebridean island of Lewis. Assuming this is correct this is great news for the island’s tourist industry as they were a black cloud hanging over us.
The concern is there is no research or information to say if development of wind farms has any effect on tourism but the anecdotal evidence is there will be a detrimental effect. Assuming the value of tourism to our economy of over £35 million even a 10% downturn would be very bad for us.
All we need to do now is to get those in charge to realise we are not against wind farms per say but massive ones, ones defacing areas of outstanding natural beauty or in environmentally sensitive areas.
Tim Pickering
http://www.canoehebrides.com
Living in the world's biggest adventure playground - The Outer Hebrides
CanoeHebrides.com - Sea kayaking Expeditions
BikeHebrides.com -Quality Mountain Bike Hire
EVEREST FOR EVERYONE
January 8, 2008 on 6:49 pm | In Surfing, Uncategorized | 1 Comment
OK, this has absolutely nothing to do with surfing or watersports, but I couldn’t help but comment on the following…
French outdoor gear manufacturers Millet are running a competition with the first prize being the chance to summit Everest.There will be requirements of the winner that they do possess the potential to get to the top of the world (one wonders what these may be - getting to the top of your stairs without a tea break, perhaps?) but egad, how the mighty have fallen (by which I mean Everest).
Who could have imagined that one day the summit of the world’s highest mountain would become the prize in a competition? Whatever shine was left on this once great prize in mountaineering has now, surely, faded and died.
What next? Big Brother on Denali? Xtreme-Factor on K2?
God almighty, I wish I’d been born in the days of Whymper and co. - at least the mountains had some mystery and dignity about them then…
Alf Alderson
http://www.alfalderson.co.uk
Multi-award-winning freelance journalist and author of Surf UK - the definitive guide to surfing in Britain.
Insurance Rant
January 6, 2008 on 1:08 pm | In Uncategorized | No Comments
It seems to me that the insurance companies are making being in business difficult. The cynical part of me thinks because the car and house insurance market is so cut throat they are hiking up the prices to businesses who have no choice to have insurance to be in business.
I have been looking at the figures for being in business this coming year and the biggest running expense is insurance. So I called in the insurance company to see what I could do about reducing the cost. The conversation went something like this:
‘My current premium is £… and I would like to reduce it?’
‘You are a limited company?’
‘Yes’
‘If you go back to being a sole trader then you will have exactly the same cover and it will be half the price.’
‘What, so I become a sole trader again and I will have exactly the same level of cover and pay half the premium?’
‘Yes’
Well as you can imagine I was a little taken aback by this.
I have the feeling I am being ripped off … The big problem there are to my knowledge only two companies who will provide cover.
What would be good is if I could buy insurance for a client when the trip starts and I would know the exact cost per person per day. I remember buying a Carte Niege when skiing to cover the cost of getting off the mountain if you had an accident, wouldn’t it be nice if you could do the same to get the relevant level of insurance for adventurous activities.
Tim Pickering
http://www.canoehebrides.com
Living in the world's biggest adventure playground - The Outer Hebrides
CanoeHebrides.com - Sea kayaking Expeditions
BikeHebrides.com -Quality Mountain Bike Hire
Bliadhna Mhath Ur
January 3, 2008 on 9:59 pm | In Uncategorized | No Comments
Bliadhna Mhath Ur - Happy New Year
We had a party in the barn, laid out tables, served lamb hot pot and organic salmon, a couple of barrels of Hebridean Ale (Seaforth Ale and Moo Coo), there was music and singing, the children played until the wee hours, some rockets were launched and apparently the festivities ended at about six in the morning. I was tucked up in bed way before that though.
New Years Day saw a few bleary eyes and I am not sure how, although I blame Mike, it was suggested a swim in the sea would clear the head.
Gress beach was decided and towels found. The evidence is below and it did clear the head. Note: Mike is the one wearing the black wet suit !
Tim Pickering
http://www.canoehebrides.com
Living in the world's biggest adventure playground - The Outer Hebrides
CanoeHebrides.com - Sea kayaking Expeditions
BikeHebrides.com -Quality Mountain Bike Hire
Chasing Rainbows on the Doune
December 7, 2007 on 8:02 pm | In Uncategorized | No Comments
I have just recieved an e-mail to say the footage of Jez and I’s little trip down the River Doune chasing rainbows has been posted to YouTube. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=40bXnflV9xE
Fantastic river, great company - worth a paddle !
Tim Pickering
http://www.canoehebrides.com
Living in the world's biggest adventure playground - The Outer Hebrides
CanoeHebrides.com - Sea kayaking Expeditions
BikeHebrides.com -Quality Mountain Bike Hire
Hebridean Weather
December 7, 2007 on 7:51 pm | In Uncategorized | No Comments
The end of the week draws near with the prospect of some red wine in front of the fire but what a week. The weather has been typical December weather, wild and windy, the ferry doing its dance with the gales.
I have been ‘first aiding’ teaching two courses this week and watching the weather through the windows, so not all bad. I have been itching to get the bike out and try it out on the roads here but I guess it will have to wait. There is a prospect of surf over the weekend and I am teaching power boating next week and hopefully I will get some pictures.
There was one stunning moment when I was out running at lunchtime (we have entered the Might Deer Stalker in March - a moment of weakness) and as I ran I caught a glimpse south down the Minch towards Keppoch Head with the gun metal grey water and the headlands diminishing into the dark brooding sky and it made the pain worth it.
Tim Pickering
http://www.canoehebrides.com
Living in the world's biggest adventure playground - The Outer Hebrides
CanoeHebrides.com - Sea kayaking Expeditions
BikeHebrides.com -Quality Mountain Bike Hire
Wild Winter Days
December 4, 2007 on 10:44 pm | In Uncategorized | No Comments
I am sat in the office listening to the wind howling round the house, I am just off the phone to Murray from SeaTrek and we were planning the powerboat training we have to do over the next couple of months. Lucky Murray is off to Antarctica to drive boats for six weeks !
There was a bizarre moment when we were talking about this weeks work and Murray commented ‘and the wind is easing to 28 knots so we will be able to go out’. 28 knots is a force seven! Described in the Beaufort Scale as a near gale. It is interesting how your perception of things becomes warped depending on what you become used to.
Tim Pickering
http://www.canoehebrides.com
Living in the world's biggest adventure playground - The Outer Hebrides
CanoeHebrides.com - Sea kayaking Expeditions
BikeHebrides.com -Quality Mountain Bike Hire
Scotland in autumn
November 8, 2007 on 11:10 pm | In Uncategorized | No Comments
We spent the weekend swimming the A9.
The reason was Anna had a gig with Dougie Maclean at his Amber Festival in Pitlochry, so we took the kids and had a road trip. An early start, Friday, saw us in Inverness at lunch time and into the Jarvis Ramada Hotel and investigating the first pool. Nice not the warmest but a good jacuzzi.
Saturday pack and drive and down to the Scotlands Hotel in Pitlochry and into the pool. A little colder but the staff were very friendly. A nice pool although the changing rooms left room for improvement.
Saturday night, Anna did the gig and with early rising kids, Sunday, I went to the pool after breakfast, so Anna could have a lay in. The start of the two pool day.
The drive back up to Inverness, we didn’t take just the A9, we took bits of the old road.
The end of the road Sunday was pool two in the Palace Hotel, warm and relaxing. A room with a view of Inverness Castle.
Monday morning, revisit the pool to make sure it was that good and the winding road back to Ullapool with three exhuasted children.
Tim Pickering
http://www.canoehebrides.com
Living in the world's biggest adventure playground - The Outer Hebrides
CanoeHebrides.com - Sea kayaking Expeditions
BikeHebrides.com -Quality Mountain Bike Hire
Frustrating week
October 27, 2007 on 10:22 am | In Sea Kayaking, Uncategorized | No Comments
We reach the end of another week and all we seemed to have was wind and rain. We had visitors this week and it would have been better if we had been able to visit the beaches and sights.
If I have a week like this, it is OK if I am working but when you are on a mission to escape it is very frustration, this is doubled by the fact if you are self employed the old addage of ‘no work - no earn’ hurts.
There was one bonus this week I have been given a job by Scottish National Heritage as a part time mink trapper for the winter. This for me is a great excuse to get out on the hill and to the outlying islands with the addition of removing this non indigenous species.
The problem with mink is they have been predating on the ground nesting birds and in the last nine years of paddling here I have seen the birds decline. I am not so naive as to think the mink are the only cause; over fishing, climate change etc also playing a role but I have seen more mink and less birds. It will be good to be involved with what I believe is a valuable project.
Anna is out a the moment doing an interview with Radio nan Gaidheal about sea kayaking for their Outdoor programme. This is great for the business but is also fantastic for the Canoe Club which is another passion of mine.
I read this week about this with interest (http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/scotland/highlands_and_islands/7064194.stm). I would have liked to have been there.
I think there is broader issue, as well, there are too few role models for any young people to encourage them to get out and enjoy the Scottish Wildlands. What are they watching? Where are their influences? Do we need to be making extreme videos of the things we get up to in the wilds of our beautiful country? How do we get the You Tube generation out into Scotland?
Tim Pickering
http://www.canoehebrides.com
Living in the world's biggest adventure playground - The Outer Hebrides
CanoeHebrides.com - Sea kayaking Expeditions
BikeHebrides.com -Quality Mountain Bike Hire
