The OOSA Trip
When - 23rd and 24th April 2005
Where - Diubaig, Isle of Skye, Scotland
Who - Andy Smith and John Siwek
Account by John Siwek
After the brilliant experience of “The Great River Crossing of ‘94” Andy and I decided to return to the legendry area affectionately known as the “diub”. We met up at Andy’s house and left shortly afterwards when Andy had finally scrounged together all the equipment needed to make the perilous journey. Items brought included a machete and an axe plus the usual knives.
We were dropped of by Andy’s dad or mum (can’t remember) at the usual point of the Greshornish Hotel. Walking the dirt path for about a mile or so was much easier as we had sorted the way of carrying tent for the last time so it was much easier to transport. We reached the bay by early afternoon and crossed the river which was much lower than the last time.
We pitched the tent quickly next to the stone wall. Our next task was to make a fire. The beach was not very fruitful failing to supply us with enough wood to make a decent fire. However the was ample supply of burnable rope but sadly no rubber. So this meant we had to find and cut wood ourselves so it was time to bring out the big guns. Armed with machete and axe and knives we made our way to the woods in the distance. Crossing the river for the first time that far down because the river was to high on the last time. We picked up odd bits of wood and logs. Then we made the discovery of the small batch of deciduous trees. It was a great place to camp (we made note of this for future trips). Cutting some more wood, we eventually had enough. Using a relay system for dropping the large amount of firewood, we took small amounts of it dropped it went back for the rest and so on until we reached the camp. Lighting the fire with tumble dryer fluff was easy then putting on small woods was ok, but then it became a mad rush made up of collecting bracken to fuel to flames. We soon realised that we had run out of small bits of wood. Rope was piled on. It smouldered a bit so more bracken, then some bigger bits of wood. One person would attempt to keep the homestead fire burning while the other had dinner, (rice again.)
After it got dark we realised that it was a lost cause and chunked everything on. Then started jumping over it to see if we could singe our boots. Why you ask? Beats me. Crazy times.
We let the fire go. Sitting on a stone near the sea we ate salted pistachios spitting the shells into the water. We talked and watched the moon rise above the hills. We got to bed fairly early and sleep well, waking to the sound of wading birds and the sea.
We had a breakfast of brunchbars and bread. My hair was in a shocking state.
Andy got hold of the gas stove and proceeded to set some grass alight. But we put it out with my water bottle, which tasted of smoke afterward for a while.
We took down Force10 and I was attaching it to my bag while Andy climbed some rocks. He slipped and cut his leg but was ok.
We left soon after and was picked up by Andy’s parents.
It was a good trip even though not much happened.
Camping enjoyment= 6/10
Walk difficulty= 3/10
Landscape= 5/10
Overall=6/10
Where - Diubaig, Isle of Skye, Scotland
Who - Andy Smith and John Siwek
Account by John Siwek
After the brilliant experience of “The Great River Crossing of ‘94” Andy and I decided to return to the legendry area affectionately known as the “diub”. We met up at Andy’s house and left shortly afterwards when Andy had finally scrounged together all the equipment needed to make the perilous journey. Items brought included a machete and an axe plus the usual knives.
We were dropped of by Andy’s dad or mum (can’t remember) at the usual point of the Greshornish Hotel. Walking the dirt path for about a mile or so was much easier as we had sorted the way of carrying tent for the last time so it was much easier to transport. We reached the bay by early afternoon and crossed the river which was much lower than the last time.
We pitched the tent quickly next to the stone wall. Our next task was to make a fire. The beach was not very fruitful failing to supply us with enough wood to make a decent fire. However the was ample supply of burnable rope but sadly no rubber. So this meant we had to find and cut wood ourselves so it was time to bring out the big guns. Armed with machete and axe and knives we made our way to the woods in the distance. Crossing the river for the first time that far down because the river was to high on the last time. We picked up odd bits of wood and logs. Then we made the discovery of the small batch of deciduous trees. It was a great place to camp (we made note of this for future trips). Cutting some more wood, we eventually had enough. Using a relay system for dropping the large amount of firewood, we took small amounts of it dropped it went back for the rest and so on until we reached the camp. Lighting the fire with tumble dryer fluff was easy then putting on small woods was ok, but then it became a mad rush made up of collecting bracken to fuel to flames. We soon realised that we had run out of small bits of wood. Rope was piled on. It smouldered a bit so more bracken, then some bigger bits of wood. One person would attempt to keep the homestead fire burning while the other had dinner, (rice again.)
After it got dark we realised that it was a lost cause and chunked everything on. Then started jumping over it to see if we could singe our boots. Why you ask? Beats me. Crazy times.
We let the fire go. Sitting on a stone near the sea we ate salted pistachios spitting the shells into the water. We talked and watched the moon rise above the hills. We got to bed fairly early and sleep well, waking to the sound of wading birds and the sea.
We had a breakfast of brunchbars and bread. My hair was in a shocking state.
Andy got hold of the gas stove and proceeded to set some grass alight. But we put it out with my water bottle, which tasted of smoke afterward for a while.
We took down Force10 and I was attaching it to my bag while Andy climbed some rocks. He slipped and cut his leg but was ok.
We left soon after and was picked up by Andy’s parents.
It was a good trip even though not much happened.
Camping enjoyment= 6/10
Walk difficulty= 3/10
Landscape= 5/10
Overall=6/10