Day One
First task was to work out a way of getting decent quality sound by putting microphones in condoms, pinning them to the BAs, and then putting the mini-disc recorders in waterproof food-bags stuffed inside the back pockets. We spent a bit of time making sure that system worked.
The recording began on the Island of Seil with Ken Lacey of Sea Kayak Scotland, chatting about the area, safety and the rise in popularity of sea kayaking.We're missing out the section in the Clyde and only paddling the highlights. This is a radio production not an expedition (more's the pity).
We're using two P&H boats, a LV Quest and a new Cetus. The Cetus is going down very well with Cailean and when Ken tried it today he was highly impressed.
The Dorus Mor, Gaelic for "Great Door" has a deservedly fearsome reputation. Tide moves at 8knts springs, so the day after spring tide, and a forecasted Force 6 wind against it, we expected quite a ride.
We’d hired the boat partly for safety but mainly so we could be filmed for an insert to the Adventure Show.The Dorus Mor in a forecast Force 6 wind promised to be exciting pictures. But no -it was flat!
An hour and a half after slack things were moving enough to give a little bounce with some interesting eddy lines.We only had the boat for half a day, so through we went. Got the shots, loaded the boats back on board, and headed back to Crinan.
A little more recording at the Inn of the Trousers where we discovered the ‘well-kent’ tale of it being the place where Jacobites changed from kilts (which were banned) to highland trousers was demolished. Seems they had to take off their trousers to cross the ford, as there was no "Bridge over the Atlantic" then. So it just looked like they were changing. Oh, and it’s also possible a trouser-maker lived in the house. So there are many tales from history and it's great to get among them and explore - I hope they make the final edit.
Day Three
Half way through the recordings - we struck gold. On Mull we were given the phone number of an elderly gentleman who, we were told, might have met the original Canoe Boys in 1934.
I telephoned and sure enough, he paddled around Tobermory Bay with them as a nine year old."It was a big occasion when the Canoe Boys arrived", he told me, "They were famous". I arranged to meet him the following morning.
Day Four
During our interview, we spoke about a remote farmhouse on the north coast of Mull. We wondered whether we'd be able to find it and were told it was unlikely since there'd been a lot of forestry planting.We like a challenge. Back to the book shop for a more detailed map and off we went.
And we found it! A tree was growing from the centre of the building and ferns oozed out of the mortar as the forest gradually reclaimed the building, but the gables and windows were intact. There was even the recognisable fire place and iron grate on which Seamus and Allistair cooked their dinner.For the first time I found it hard to speak, which isn't good for radio, but I was rather choked up. This visual connection with the original canoe boys coming just after the personal connection from someone who met them was very moving.Day Five
An early start saw us at Ardnamurchan Point, the most westerly point on the British mainland, by mid-morning. Neither Cailean nor I had ever seen the sea here so quiet. With the lighthouse towering above us, I could get close enough to reach out and touch the very point.
Our producer Meg was waiting for us on the old jetty and again the lack of swell meant we could get close enough for us to be recorded on the higher quality boom microphone as well as our individual mini-discs. Here we recorded the opening to Programme Three, an opening which involved me getting wet!We make no claim to be paddling the entire Canoe Boys 1934 route. It would be wonderful to have the time to do so, but budgets and other pressures just don't allow.
So cars and ferries are speeding us through the sections we've both previously paddled to get to the next recording location.Hopefully one day I'll be able to take a month of and, with Liz, paddle the whole way.
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