GGCUA GALA 4 September Dochgarroch

Great Glen Canal Users Association

2010 Gala

Dochgarroch

4 September

Events on the day include

Boat Jumble from 1 pm

Bring along any of your unwanted boat items to sell

BBQ and Music from 4 pm

Please bring your own food and drink, BBQs will be available for cooking including vegetarian only.

Trips on Loch Ness by Pioner Multi

Prize Raffle

Photo of the Day Prize Competition

Entries to be submitted to GGCUA no later than 30 September 2010.

Come Along and Enjoy Some Fun

For further information and enquiries please contact GGCUA at ggcua2003@yahoo.co.uk or telephone 0798 628 2184

New Family at Fort Augustus

We found this lovely new family up at Fort Augustus a couple of weeks ago when we went through. All appear to be doing well, although we did spot some Chinese visitors trying to feed them dark chocolate! Not a good idea!

"BREAKING NEWS" FROM GGCUA

"DON'T ROCK THE BOAT" AT DOCHGARROCH!

Banners to help raise awareness of speeding on the canal were unvailed today at Dochgarroch.

Designed by British Waterways specifically to highlight the issue of the need to slow down when passing moored craft, they now adorn the walk ways across the lock gates.

Over the coming weeks we shall monitor their effectiveness and feed back to British waterways.

Let's hope we all "feel the difference".

A BIG THANK YOU to Russell Thomson, Highland Waterways Manager, and the team of Waterways staff involved.

Spring day at Clachnaharry

Touche

Heading for the sea lock.

LATEST NEWS FROM GGCUA

SOMETHING "BIBLICAL" HAPPENING AT DOCHGARROCH!

An extraordinary natural event is currently taking place at Dochgarroch.

The lake adjacent to the towpath road, east side, is unleashing its brood of froglets and toadlets in tens of thousands. Large "clumps" of the wee creatures can be seen in the undergrowth along the side of the towpath road awaiting the cool night before dispersing. The lake has large dark areas where thousand upon thousand are awaiting their time to leave.

If you get the chance, come down now and take a look. But be careful, they're everywhere and easily get squished underfoot.

Do you have photographs of something wild going on in your part of the canal? Please feel free to share on this blog.

Not signed up yet? send an email to ggcua2003@yahoo.co.uk and we'll reply with your link. All you need is a google account and away you go. If you don't have a google account, our reply will prompt you on how to set one up, it's easy, it's free.

NEWS FROM GGCUA

BIODIVERSITY AT DOCHGARROCH.

GGCUA is co-ordinating a meeting to be held at 6pm on Saturday 3rd July 2010 at Dochgarroch East aboard the Dutch Barge "Geertruida".

As a result of recent communications with British Waterways, this meeting has been organised for local boat owners, residents and any other Association member who wishes to express their concerns, interests, views and opinions on the management of canal bank and canal side vegetation along the moorings at Dochgarroch.

British Waterways has expressed their interest in hearing your views prior to a revision of the 2011 plans for cutting of vegetation along the embankments.

Perhaps these photographs may offer a contrast of possibility.

For further information, or to air your views if you are unable to attend the meeting, please contact us via email, ggcua2003@yahoo.co.uk or by letter to GGCUA, c/o Dochgarroch Hall Cottage, Inverness IV3 8JG or by telephone on 07986282184.

We look forward to hearing from you.

NEWS FROM GGCUA

THE GREAT GLEN CANOE TRAIL.

Further to the blog of 21st May, we've been contacted by Rob Robinson, Trail Design Consultant for the Great Glen Canoe Trail and were able to discuss a couple of issues familiar to Association members at this time of year, speeding craft and overstretched facilities.

Speeding on the canal by powered craft is a matter of concern for canoeists, kayakers, rowers and berth holders at pontoons. As GGCUA raised this with British Waterways a short while back, it was good to reinforce the concern with Rob. I understand it is a matter he will raise again with BW.

No news yet on when the banner re. raising awareness of speed limits will be displayed across the lock gate walkway at Dochgarroch.

With regards to toilet and shower facilities, we understand that BW are looking to upgrade those facilities that are inadequate for their level of use, but this is constrained by funding and may be some time before realization.

Rob tells us that wild camping sites with eco-toilets will be created at certain sites along the trail for the use of canoeists/kayakers. He also reports that the current system of access to toilet/shower facilities by BW key is being discussed with the possibility of a change to coded press button access (codes being changed on a regulas basis). Again, it will be some time before this happens, if at all. This at least will foil those who sell BW keys on Ebay!

Will update you with further news shortly. In the meantime, if you want access to "GGCUA Team Blog", where you can post your own news, information, sales or wants, photographs etc., please send us an email to: ggcua2003@yahoo.co.uk - we will reply through email with your link. If you are already a team blogger, 'bout time you started blogging!!