by Benson, Tom
It was as Flint tied the next ribbon that Tracey spotted something of interest ahead. She kept the craft steady for Flint by using a feathering backstroke of her paddle, while her gaze wandered to a heron standing close to the opposite bank.
“Next stop,” Tracey said, “two hundred metres along on the far side.”
Ten minutes after tying off the latest bright strip, Flint was holding the kayak steady while his companion slid back and out of her seat. Five minutes later, he accepted a sandwich, and they shared a hot brew from the thermos—one of four salvaged from the camping store.
Flint looked around. “I reckon a walk up this hill would be useful to help orientate.”
“Do you know approximately how far it is to the turn?”
“It’s hard to say because of the number of waterways which have changed the mapping, but a rough guess would be four miles.”
“That’s not far at the speed we’re travelling. I don’t suppose we have any landmarks?”
“The only reasonable landmarks would be the villages of Moy Lodge and then a bit farther on, Roughburn, but they’re both situated on the A86.”
“Oh, shit, that’s the road to Fort William—I remember Bill’s team said most of it was underwater.”
When they’d finished their short break, Flint went to the tethered kayak and lifted his rifle. “Are you tagging along for a look around?”
“Try and stop me.” Tracey placed the thermos in the kayak and ran to catch Flint as he scaled the nearby grassy slope. It was only fifteen minutes of effort to reach the top.
Orienting the map helped but it wasn’t conclusive regarding where they had to make a decisive turn and head south. While Flint used the naked eye to survey the prominent features, Tracey borrowed his binoculars to check out farther afield.
“Flint, how close is our proposed change of direction relative to those two villages you mentioned?”
“Moy Lodge ought to be within sight of us here but where I think we have to go south is just a little bit farther along and opposite to Roughburn.”
“You can check if I’m right, but about a mile away on the right is a stretch of road and not far from it to one side sticking out of the water is the top part of a church steeple.” She paused. “Perhaps that’s the first place.”
Flint raised the binoculars to his eyes and panned right to left and back again a couple of times. “I think you’re right, and farther on to the left is a line of heavy greenery.”
“Right, would that be a stretch of narrow water?”
“That’s what I think because according to the map it’s a valley, but only a couple of miles away is the northern tip of Loch Treig.”
“I’m good to go when you are, and if we’ve got it wrong, we can always paddle back or look for a high spot to take another look around.”
“I’ll check-in before we leave here.” Flint switched on the radio. “Hello Eagle’s Nest, this is Flag Team, over.”
“Hello Flag Team, over.” Emma’s voice was clear.
“We’ve passed the Dalwhinnie landing zone, and so far all navigation ribbons are in place, over.”
“Roger, I’ll pass that on—take care, out.”
A short while after their break, Flint and Tracey found themselves rapidly approaching the point where the water went off in two directions. They had to highlight the junction on the left early to benefit the rowboat team.
“We’ll have to pull over to flag-up now, Tracey, or we’ll be swept into the turn.”
“Okay—go ahead.” She prepared for her companion’s paddle dipping to steer them towards the overhanging foliage. Two minutes later they were in that cliche position, ‘between a rock and a hard place’. The bank to the left had a lot of tree branches hanging low near them—the bank being steep and peppered with rocks. Just to the right of the craft were several large boulders which had rolled into position hundreds of years before, and most were smoothed by the rushing water.
“I’m ready to go,” Flint said.
“Before we leave this turn, pass me a green and a branch so I can snag a ribbon between these rocks. We’ll need to highlight how rough this turn is as well as letting them know it’s the direction they need.”
“Good idea. I’ve used green on the branch so a green out in mid-stream ought to spell danger.”
The kayak was teased between the rounded boulders, and for a few metres, the water was shallower than it had been at any other point. It was a good thing that they’d forewarned of the hazard because while the kayak could go through, it would be difficult for the rowboat and the load it would be carrying.
Less than two hundred metres ahead was a stretch of white water—not much, but again, sufficient to unsettle or damage the rowboat.
“Left bank at the next opportunity, Tracey.”
“Twenty metres.”
“Seen.” Flint back-paddled and steered them into the side where Tracey grabbed the first available stronghold, and then Flint side-paddled them close.
“What’s the plan?” Tracey continued to grip an overhead branch as Flint climbed out into the shallow water at the edge.
“I’ll take a bunch of green strips with me and go back around that bend. We made it okay, but I want them to have plenty of early warning. They’ll have to lighten the load to get through that gap in the rocks because they’ll be thrown into this corner and the rough section up ahead.”
“Take some pink too, Flint, and you can recce a route for any of them who get out to walk around.”
“Hey, you’ve got your planning head on.” He climbed out of the water carrying a bundle of green and pink strips and headed inland a few metres. He paused. “I might be a while.”
“Take your time—I’m good here.” Tracey used the paddle to push against a rock until she felt the hull grinding on sand. The kayak wasn’t going anywhere without some effort.
It was half an hour before Flint returned. “Okay, I think that ought to do the job.”
“How far back did you go?”
“I went back to a point about two hundred metres from the first hazard and tied off several evenly spaced green ribbons. They’ll be well aware that there’s a problem around here. On the way back I tied off a few pink ribbons on what would be the best route to get this far on foot.”
“I’ve been looking ahead and considering that white water.”
“Go on.”
“If you take enough pink strips, you could create a guide for them higher up along the bank. You know, continue the route where you’ve just come from. I’ll take it easy and ride the water until I know the depth would be safe for the rowboat and then I’ll pull over to let you know where to come back down to the water’s edge.”
“That’s a great idea. Let me grab more pink. I’ll continue to use pink for the route I used, and we’ll use yellow when I reach you.”
It was another half hour before Flint strolled onto the grass a few metres away from the water’s edge. He saw that Tracey had pulled the kayak tight to the bank. Flint tied two pairs of yellow strips to designate the end of the walking route. It was a similar sign to how he’d highlighted the gradient for the Dalwhinnie landing zone. When finished, he switched on the radio.
“Hello Eagle’s Nest, this is Flag Team, over.”
He called three times and got nothing but static in return.
“No good?” Tracey asked.
“Nah, we’re in a dead spot or out of range. I think we’ve done a decent job of highlighting the hazard so we can move on.”
Tracey glanced back at Flint. “Would you like a ride to Achallader?”
He pushed the craft out and climbed back in. “If you’re going that way.” He grinned as he followed Tracey’s lead with his paddle.
She said, “Judging by the expanse of water ahead, it will be a comfortable trip for a while.”
“Yes, I think we can afford to use a minimum number of ribbons along the loch.”
“I know we have different lochs to identify
and negotiate, but how far do we have to travel in distance from here?”
“We’re looking at about twenty-five miles and though we have different lochs our objective from here is to take the southbound junction wherever the water changes course.”
Tracey nodded. “I recall from the hike with the guys that the Achallader signal box was quite a prominent feature on the land so we ought to see it from a distance away.”
“I was thinking the same thing, and in the latter stages today that is going to help.”
Regular short trips to the banks to tie coloured ribbons kept their concentration on a high, and after two more hours, the pair paused for a brief leg-stretching session. There were several instances of narrow waterway channels but nothing compared to the white water and rocks from earlier in the day.
“Low bridge ahead,” Tracey said, “at least it looks low from here.”
“I was hoping we’d find ourselves going under the main road, the A82—it’s probably one of the few parts where the water hasn’t risen high enough to swamp the road.” He paused and rechecked the map. “Yes, that’ll be the A82. It’s a good sign because it means we’re pretty close to our objective.”
For another hour, they paddled on, and it was early evening when Tracey pointed forward.
“Signal box up on the high embankment to the left, Flint.”
“Seen. I think we can afford three more ribbons before we go straight for it.”
At half past six after a long day, the kayak was paddled to a small inlet where a few reeds and a finger of land highlighted an ideal berthing area. It was a grateful pair who slipped out from their cockpits and dragged the front end of the craft up onto the bank to tether it to a nearby tree.
Flint said, “If I’ve got this spot accurately on the map, I think we have about a mile to walk to the signal box and railway track.” He lifted his paddle. “I’ll look around for a suitable spot for them to come in with the rowboat.” He walked along the edge and dipped his paddle to check the depth of the water.
Tracey unloaded their bergens and equipment, setting everything aside. “Ready when you are.”
Flint was tying pairs of yellow strips to a large bush and a few metres away, to a sapling. “Apart from these down here, I think we’ll tie one on the tower when we get up there.”
Thankfully, the ground was even and firm on the mile-long hike to the railway track. A short distance from the railway they passed the sub-station which Cherry had activated only a few weeks earlier. Achieving power at this location had been the first success in the ongoing enterprise to investigate the region to the north of Auchcarn and Loch Awe.
By seven o’clock, Flint and Tracey were sitting at the base of the old signal box tower with food cooking on a small campfire. The order of the evening was to eat, have a hot drink and then get up into the tower for a well-deserved rest.
“I know it’s been hard work,” Flint said between mouthfuls of food. “Have you enjoyed it today?”
“I was looking forward to it, and it was even better than I thought it would be.”
“Imagine how we’re going to feel when we paddle along Loch Awe and tie the kayak at the fishing pier.”
“Could we approach from the middle of the loch so that we get to see the whole mountain?”
“Of course, and it will be interesting to see if anyone is around when we arrive.”
They cleared up after eating and then sat with a hot brew to chat for a short while, talking about the various barriers the community had overcome in the quest to improve life.
“I’ll fix a couple of different coloured strips to the tower before we leave,” Flint said.
On tired legs, they climbed up into the tower with their bergens. A long day lay ahead of them on the morrow.
20. Downstream Teams
The rowboat team used a similar tactic to the kayak crew to conserve energy. When a reasonable pace was achieved, the oarsmen raised the blades free of the water surface and left it to Josh to steer a steady course with the tiller. The main difference in the journey, of course, was that they didn’t have to make frequent stops. They simply had to watch out for the unmistakable bright yellow, pink or green strips fluttering in the light breeze.
It was close to twelve noon when Josh leant out to one side and then the other to look around the oarsmen.
“What’s up, mate?” Archie said.
“I don’t think it’s anything to worry about if we’re careful. On the left up ahead, we have a pink and a green together. It’s a possible hazard, so I’ll steer us a bit wider, and it might be an idea for you guys to slow us down until we pass the area.”
Calvin and Archie lowered and turned the oar blades to fight the boat’s desire to cruise too fast.
“Here it comes,” Josh said, “and it’s not a tree, it looks like a metal pole—a flag pole.”
Archie glanced over the side as they passed the double-flagged hazard. “You did right to steer clear, mate, it looks like an old filling station under there, so there might be more than one building with a roof close to the surface.”
After a few minutes, the oars were working at their regular pace once again. The boat was lightly skimming through the water. As he had been doing since they set out, Josh was giving an early indication of seeing either a yellow or pink ribbon up ahead. For most of the time, he held a mid-stream course which had to be the best way to avoid issues.
“We’re close now, guys,” Josh said. “Up ahead on the left I can see two pairs of yellow ribbons pretty close together—that’ll be our landing zone.”
Calvin and then Archie took a quick look and then they put their backs into the rowing again as Josh eased the craft towards the shoreline.
“Holy shit,” Josh said, “I know Flint and Imogen said it was steep—”
Calvin and Archie both laughed but continued with their task, slowing only slightly.
“I’ll unlock and raise the rudder and tiller, and then if you guys can put in some long strokes the momentum will take us right in … okay, and now, Calvin dip your blade—and raise.”
The fourteen-foot rowboat slid sideways against the bank as if it were a car being gently parked at the kerbside. Two yellow ribbons of material fluttered a few metres to the front, and the other two were close to the rear.
“Well,” Archie said, “if the rest of our task goes as well as that, I’ll be happy.”
They all climbed out, lifted their personal equipment and then the relay terminal, antenna and accessories, placing everything in a neat pile a short distance from the water’s edge. Archie went behind to push while Josh and Calvin pulled and they beached the boat before tethering it to a tree.
It took a few minutes to set the various items into six stacks. They worked out that it would be more efficient for each of them to make two trips up the hill instead of attempting a heroic one-off with everything being carried. An hour later, the three men paused at the top.
Josh sat on a boulder and enjoyed a sip of water as he watched Calvin and Archie create an improvised stretcher in a few minutes, using a hammock and two poles. When the two men had finished, they nodded in agreement that it would do the job. Then they too had another drink before loading the cables and slightly heavier items onto the stretcher.
“Okay, Josh,” Calvin said, “you can carry the antenna and the map, and we’re all set.”
The team made good ground and quickly spotted the yellow strips tied by Flint and Imogen on their visit. As expected, they maintained a steady pace because all they had to do was follow the direction of the bright ribbons.
After an hour they saw the hill on which Flint had tied a pink strip. Josh and Archie were content to wait at the lower level while Calvin scaled the hill for a look around. He came down grinning.
“Hey, guys, we’re going to be enjoying a brew in no time.”
“And something to eat?” Archie said, sounding more like a child than a giant of a man.
“Yes, mate,” Calvin laughed as
they lifted the stretcher. “and something to eat.”
On arrival at Dalwhinnie, the three men went straight to the house which had the scaffolding out back. They piled all the relay equipment in the driveway and then went back the short distance to the railway station to fix up a meal and a drink.
A brief radio call assured those back at the farm that the relay team had arrived safely at the Dalwhinnie location.
Calvin and Josh busied themselves working under Archie’s directions to separate the various clamps and heavy bolts for securing the scaffolding pipes.
Archie assessed the number of pipes and clamps available and made a rough calculation. “It’s a while since I used this stuff, but the good news is that since we don’t need a wide platform, we ought to manage a decent height. It’ll be taller than the house at least.”
Josh said, “How steady will it be?”
“It’ll be fine, mate,” Archie said. “I thought that if we use those metal stakes at the base, it will give us all the stability we need. A couple of wooden planks clamped into place at each level will be enough to give it more strength. Later, when we have access to power tools, we could use guy ropes to tie it off to a couple of trees or ground stakes if we had worries about stability.”
Three hours after starting, the tower was erected and steady enough for Josh to climb. While he set about attaching the antenna, Calvin climbed up beside him and dropped the rope for Archie to secure the ends of each cable they required. One hour later the relay was in situ and powered-up.
Josh said, “The relays have been dismantled and stored in the barn for a couple of days. When we set them up like this again, it might take a couple of hours of daylight to get the solar panels working.”
Archie shouted, “We’ve got a faint red light on this box but no green light for the radio signal.”
“That’s not a problem,” Josh said as he descended the tower. “I think by breakfast time we’ll have the red for power glowing and the green ought to be flickering at least.”
