Midget Submarines

Researching an area prior to a trip is always worthwhile. I was looking at the history of some wrecks. the map showed some visibible wrecks off Aberlady. Some further digging revealed that the wrecks in this case were minature submarines, dating back from World War II. These small craft were towed to enemy destinations by a 'mother' submarine. There were then set free with a crew of two, who navigated them to their target; their small size enabling to negotiate nets and defences. The potted history can be found here and here.


The craft at Aberlady were tied to a concrete block, and used for weapons testing by the RAF.

Rock Formations

The South East coast of Scotland has some changeable rock formations. On one hand there are the folded rocks at Pettico Wick ....

along with some arches ....

and some 'terraces' ...

All within a day's paddle ...

St.Abbs

Last week say a break in the weather, and a short local paddle up the Berwickshire coast from St.Abbs.

The paddle was only about 10k, but it was good to get out on the water again.

St.Abbs is a voluntary marine reserve, details of which can be found here.

Mountain Rescue

Today was spent in the company of the Search and Rescue (SAR) flight from RAF Boulmer. This is part of the training undertaken as part of a member of Tweed Valley Mountain Rescue Team. The Team (TVMRT) covers about 1000 square miles, and is involved in everything from full blown hill incidents to assisting the police with urban searches.

RAF Boulmer is under threat of closure. This was announced in July 2004. Although the future if Boulmer is uncertain, the SAR flight will remain for the next few years. Where it goes after that is anyone's guess.

The purpose of the exercise today was to introduce some newer members to the delights of winching, and also for the SAR crew to practice with our MacInnes Mark 6 stretcher.

I've been involved with the Team for twenty odd years and I've nothing buth respect for the SAR crews of the RAF.

Zambia - 2

The main Zambia expedition left yesterday. They should be in Zambia by now, experiencing life on a different continent, with a totally different culture. As I mentioned before, this expedition has been two years in the making, and a huge effort has went in to making it happen. The young folk have had to raise their own personal funds, plus group funds. Having seen them develop over the last couple of years, I'm sure that they will do the Borders and Scotland proud. Youngsters are often maligned by adults in today's world, but these guys will be great ambassadors for the youth of Scotland.

Zambia

A bit different from Scotland !

For the past 18 months I've been helping to 'train' a group of young people from the Scottish Borders to go on a five week expedition to Zambia this summer. They guys selected have been through quite a learning curve over the past 18 months or so, and tonight sees the expedition start. The advance party departs the UK tonight a few days before the main group leave on July 4th. It's great to see a lot of hard work by a lot of people culminate in achieving it's objective. The main focus of the trip is community work, with elements of social, environmental, and scientific work thrown in for good measure. Details of Borders Exploration Group can be found here , alsong with details of past Expeditions and other activities that the Group organises.

Weather

We've had unseasonally heavy rain recently, as shown by the two pictures below. The photograph was taken during the middle of the day. Okay for a duck I suppose !

Hopefully next week will be better ...

Eigg and Muck

Was away last week on a four day paddling trip round the Small Isles. From Arisaig, went north to Inverie,

then from Inverie, down to Mallaig,

across the Sound of Sleat, across to northern tip of Eigg, down the side of Eigg, camped at Kildonnan,

then on down round Muck. Last day was a paddle back from Muck to Eigg, and back across to Arisaig.

Bass Rock

Was out kayaking in the Firth of Forth this week, arounf Craigleith and Fidra. Puffins and Eider ducks for company.

The Bass Rock is a massive crag rising out of the sea to a height of 350 feet and it is about a mile in circumference. Through the Rock, from the East to West, runs a natural tunnel, but this is not accessible except at low tide. Halfway up the Rock stands the ruins of a Pre-Reformation Chapel which was dedicated to Saint Baldfred.



Bass Rock is also famous for it's seabirds. Details can be found at the Scottish Seabird Centre, North Berwick.

A Start ....

A room with a view ... After a dry spell, the rain is bringing out the colour in the countryside ...