Duncan, my eldest son, does something special for charity each year. He usually climbs Munros or does walks like the West Highland Way but this year decided to be a little different. He began a lone kayak run at 7.30am today and finished at 7.25pm. Twelve hours - eleven of those were constant paddling!!!! It was a total of 33 miles in all. Three miles an hour is pretty good going especially as the wind was blowing in his face for most of the time. We met him at Broxburn, after he'd done 19.5 miles and had a picnic lunch at the side of the canal - his forst half hour break. He was so hungry and thirsty that I really felt sorry for him. Later on we met up with him again at Ratho(nine miles left to go at this stage.) His arms and shoulders were aching and his legs were cramped but he was determined to keep going no matter what. His younger brother, David, cycled from Edinburgh to join us. After a rest of about half an hour Duncan took to the water again. David walked along the canal bank, pushing his bike, to keep him company until he reached Fountainbridge in Edinburgh - the end of the canal. Now that's what I call brotherly love. A nine mile cycle followed by a nine mile walk and then a five mile cycle to get back home. Duncan was so pleased to have him along on the last haul to keep him going. As he paddled into Edinburgh he was attacked by a cob(male swan) that kept battering him on the back with its wings until he left its territory. I don't think he realised just how much those wings could hurt!! Poor lad as though he wasn't suffering enough aches and pains by that time already!! Well done Duncan your dad, sister and I are really proud of you.
Very impressive feat Duncan, well done. And well done David for being so supportive of your brother, that's a lot of cycling and walking you did.
I know you are bursting at the seams with pride. That is a lot of paddling. He will pay the price tomorrow! What a wonderful thing he did.
Wow! My oldest used to do things like that. It usually involved running though. I'm sure he is well pleased with himself. His brother is a grand brother, too. dooley
Aww, great job done, both Duncan and David! I felt so uplifted reading your account of the day, Eileen! Congratulations! Daisy
Eileen, you are glowing with pride. What a great reflection of yourself when your children do something for the benefit of others. Congratulations on a job well done. And speaking of well done that's how I prefer my duck
I just got back in from a kayak ride around our small lake (I was searching for the Easter Bunny but never found him!). Can't imagine paddling for 12 hours. I hope he had a hot meal and a warm bath to return home to afterwards. Sounds like quite the adventure. When we visited Scotland last year, we fell in love with Edinburgh...loved the old buildings, narrow streets (Advocate's Cove was a favorite stroll), street musicians, shops and pubs (had to stop at Deacon Brodie's Tavern)... We spent most of our time in the Highlands which were beautiful. Maybe on our next visit to your beautiful country I'll have to bring my kayak!
What a fantastic young man! He will be aching like an achey thing tomorrow poor love. I can imagine how very proud you all are of him.
What a good thing to do. I can imagine that it was quite an adventure. It's nice to try something new sometimes. This journey that he took sounds like a good one.
