Thursday 22nd February - Nothing in the Greta - look elsewhere then.

Over to Keswick so that Andrew could give his new Burn a run out. Bought a bit of kit and half dozen curried veggie pasties and down to Fitz Park... The tide was out, with 3' of beach showing under the steps. Two days of rain and drizzle and no water - what's that all about?
Rather than just turn tail I suggested to Andrew that we at least take a look at Newlands Beck for a future mission. Just as well since, driving along the valley between Stair and Little Town, we saw white water and tumbling rapids through the trees. Note I mention trees....

We jumped on at Little Town and flew off down a tree lined ditch; after a quarter mile Keskadale Beck came in from river left and doubled the volume. Opening up now, eddies became feasible and we started leap-frogging along, grade 2 / 3 rapids in quick succession. A longer rapid appeared so out onto the left bank for a look. The rapid was good but a tree trunk strainer blocked all but 18" of the exit. With at least 2' of water under the tree, and unable to shift it, we decided that it was a safer bet to hoof it than chance a pin.

Carrying on, we soon started into continuous rapids, then under a footbridge to a short gorge section.

Andrew styles the first rapid (above the footbridge)

The drop into the gorge looked sticky at the bottom, so I grabbed my camera and throwbag so that Andrew could run it first...

Into the Gorge - sticky at the bottom but the Burn sails through

Once out of the gorge, the beck eased off; thankfully, as we rounded a bend to find a mass of trees right across the beck. A bash of a portage followed with a tricky balance / seal-launch to get back on...

"I think I can see the line.." - Strainer at bottom of Newlands Beck

Easier water for another half mile or so delivered us to Stair where we got out. The map suggests that it would be ok to continue the run to another road bridge, probably doubling the length of the section; however with a shuttle on foot to do, enough was enough. A really good outcome seeing as we thought we wouldn't paddle at all!