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"Her Life in His Hands"

"Her Life in His Hands"


Postby SusieThePensioner » Wed Oct 17, 2012 10:04 pm

Route description: Taynish National Nature Reserve, near Tayvallich

Date walked: 06/10/2012

Time taken: 4 hours

Distance: 5 km

Ascent: 30m

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It’s been our annual 2 week holiday to Scotland and, this year, was spent on the wild west coast of Argyll :D
As some of you know already, a few months ago I debated long and hard and invested in a wheelchair. At first this seemed to be “giving in to the arthritis” but, as a friend said, “more like 2 fingers at it” as I can get to places I couldn’t reach before(sounds like something from an advert :wink: ) as long as someone is willing to push me :lol: I told Jeff he would be in charge and could push me around; he made some comment like “after more than 40 years of marriage, at last and about time” :shock: Don’t know what he means? :o :lol:
JeffWH.jpg

Moine Mhor2wh.jpg


We were reliably informed, by a National Nature Reserve warden, we could probably get the wheelchair along the path at Taynish Reserve in order to reach the rapids at the end of the peninsula and, possibly see otters. Taynish is maintained by Scottish Natural Heritage. To reach it you drive through Tayvallich and onto a very rutted single track with barely a place to pass. There’s parking for several cars and even includes a disabled bay :shock: Free leaflets are available in the car park, next to the board which displays several walks :D
DSC_0064.JPG


The Oak Woodland covers much of the Reserve, with some Holly and Birch, and the moist clean air means that lichens and mosses cover the trees. Analysis of ancient pollen, trapped and preserved in nearby peatlands, shows that oak woodland has grown there for around 7,000 years. Ancestors of these trees survived the last Ice Age in southern Britain, then moved northwards as the ice retreated. Taynish is one of the largest remnants of ancient woodland in Knapdale, and sustaining the woodland is a key priority on the Reserve.
DSC_0101.JPG


We set off on the Woodland Trail, along the access track to Taynish House (privately owned) and passing through ancient woodland. This is the “Northern Rainforest”; so called because of the damp conditions. At first it was extremely rough and pitted with large muddy pools.
Taynish Woodlands walk1WH.jpg


The wheelchair swerved from side to side to try and avoid these whilst I bounced up and down over the many stones. Suddenly, it veered sharply to the left and, what the **** was going on :shock: There I was, hovering above the deep ditch at the side of the track and in amongst the stinging nettles :roll: I was told the chair had a tendency to steer to the left and, as this was the side of Jeff’s frozen shoulder, it was making things difficult. A few yards further on this happened again and I was then leaning over the right hand side of the wheelchair to prevent it toppling into the ditch :crazy: I was getting a bit suspicious now, was this him trying to get rid of me??? :?

The third time clinched it........the chair tipped forward, the feet rests were firmly implanted into the mud of a deep hole and I was trying not to do a “Tom Daley” and dive into it :lol: Right oh! Any sign of mud, holes, stones, uneven ground and I was out of the chair and walking(with my sticks). So, that was, in fact, a lot of the time! I also had to walk uphill as it was too much of a struggle to push me :shock:

I was informed that, if I could lose some weight and be like the camera, which was now sitting in pride of place, then things would be so much easier! Ok, so I’ve put on weight in the past few years since I haven’t been able to walk the hills or cycle but, to weigh the same as the camera is just being silly....isn’t it? :crazy:
Sue heading for the wheelchair.jpg


Eventually, after about 2km, we turned onto the Coastal Trail which was by far the best surfaced path. Sheer luxury!
Taynish coastal pathWH.jpg


This took us through the coastal strip, down to a bench overlooking the rapids between the peninsula and Ulva islands. The coastline of the Taynish peninsula forms the boundary for most of the Reserve. The maritime grasslands and saltmarshes here are important habitats for species like the otter, which comes ashore to feed and shelter. Unassuming plants like saltmarsh rush and saltmarsh flat-sedge grow in coastal saltmarshes. More colourful displays appear on the old raised beach at the south-west end of the peninsula, where herb-rich fen meadows have developed. These are the home for plants like marsh bedstraw, devil's bit scabious, and meadow thistle in one of only two Scottish mainland localities. This rich habitat mosaic covers just 15 hectares, but adds greatly to the importance of the Reserve.
Taynish rapidsWH.jpg


We had our lunch sat on the bench and then set off again; back along the Coastal Trail to rejoin the Woodland one.
TaynishWH.jpg


We’d gone about 100m on the Woodland Trail when our path turned into a field and became a narrow one. Therefore, after looking at the map we decided to just turn round and retrace our steps. Oh, and yes, we were lucky enough to see an otter swimming nearby!
Path backWH.jpg

Ferns and birchWH.jpg


This was an enjoyable walk, despite the hair-raising moments, with plenty of information on the leaflet regarding the interpretation boards that are placed around the trails. We saw families setting off walking as well as on bikes and I’d certainly recommend these trails as being particularly “family friendly” :D
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Re: "Her Life in His Hands"

Postby jonny616 » Wed Oct 17, 2012 10:28 pm

We don't get a report for ages then two come along at once. Again lovely photos & well done to both on the effort. 9.5 for the Tom Daley. :clap:
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Re: "Her Life in His Hands"

Postby dooterbang » Wed Oct 17, 2012 10:57 pm

I'm half expecting you to "pimp your wheels" :D

Must be like having a new lease of life getting to places you thought wouldn't happen.

Love the photo of the lone tree, dark and menacing.

Hey there must be a Munro out there that your fella could push you up????
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Re: "Her Life in His Hands"

Postby mrssanta » Thu Oct 18, 2012 12:40 pm

lovely pictures, it seems like one person's idea of wheelchair friendly is not quite another's. You are one determined lady, maybe what you need is a farmer's quad bike!
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Re: "Her Life in His Hands"

Postby SusieThePensioner » Thu Oct 18, 2012 12:52 pm

jonny616 wrote:We don't get a report for ages then two come along at once. Again lovely photos & well done to both on the effort. 9.5 for the Tom Daley.

Sorry Jonny, just like buses :lol: Thank you for your comments, I'll try for 10 next time :D

dooterbang wrote:I'm half expecting you to "pimp your wheels"
:lol: :lol: :lol:
dooterbang wrote:Love the photo of the lone tree, dark and menacing.
Just like you, Paul :wink:
dooterbang wrote:Hey there must be a Munro out there that your fella could push you up????

Let me know if you come across one :shock:

mrssanta wrote:lovely pictures, it seems like one person's idea of wheelchair friendly is not quite another's. You are one determined lady, maybe what you need is a farmer's quad bike!

Thanks mrssanta and great idea about the quad bike :lol:
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Re: "Her Life in His Hands"

Postby ChrisW » Thu Oct 18, 2012 3:46 pm

Great effort again Susie (by both of you) I think you should have been looking at an 'offroad' wheelchair rather than a 'sport' model, those small front wheels are just not made for rough ground and you seem to spend a lot of time offroad :clap:
As a married man I too am in control when my Mrs says I am :lol:
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Re: "Her Life in His Hands"

Postby Jockstar » Thu Oct 18, 2012 4:44 pm

I can see that you are in training for the Commonwealth Games as your trainer and mentor has got you into a position where you are looking at Triathlon. If you can make it over the route you have taken in this report you will be a shoe-in, especially with the motivation from hubbie! :clap: BTW beautiful pics and great autumn colours. :)
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Re: "Her Life in His Hands"

Postby mrssanta » Thu Oct 18, 2012 6:07 pm

ChrisW wrote:As a married man I too am in control when my Mrs says I am :lol:

good to hear you know your place! :lol:
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Re: "Her Life in His Hands"

Postby scoob999 » Thu Oct 18, 2012 6:16 pm

Great report again Susie :D
I also love the pic of the lone tree, worthy of a prize somewhere i think :D
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Re: "Her Life in His Hands"

Postby dogplodder » Thu Oct 18, 2012 6:19 pm

Love the well captured autumn colours. :D
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Re: "Her Life in His Hands"

Postby SusieThePensioner » Thu Oct 18, 2012 7:23 pm

ChrisW wrote:
As a married man I too am in control when my Mrs says I am :lol:
Thanks Chris and glad you know your place as well :lol:

Jockstar wrote:I can see that you are in training for the Commonwealth Games

Was it that obvious? :lol:
Jockstar wrote:BTW beautiful pics and great autumn colours. :)
Thank you :D

scoob999 wrote:Great report again Susie
I also love the pic of the lone tree, worthy of a prize somewhere i think
Thanks Scoob :D

dogplodder wrote:Love the well captured autumn colours.
Thank you, they were quite good in places and I'm sure lots more will be appearing by now :D
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Re: "Her Life in His Hands"

Postby johnkaysleftleg » Fri Oct 19, 2012 11:52 pm

Lovely pics Susie particularly the lone tree amongst the boulders. :thumbup:
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Re: "Her Life in His Hands"

Postby SusieThePensioner » Sat Oct 20, 2012 8:51 pm

johnkaysleftleg wrote:Lovely pics Susie particularly the lone tree amongst the boulders.


Thanks John :D
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