Quentin James and the Loch of Arthur

This was the best feeling on the world, thought Quentin as they paddled across the Loch in canoes. They were two to a canoe and Quentin and Clive were sharing. They had taken off at pace only to go in a circle. It took a while for them to get sorted with Unwin and Ryan showing everyone how to propel the canoe through the water. Now they were moving together down the Loch, enjoying the speed as they cut through the water with a hiss. The weather was the best; deep blue skies, the sun already rising, promising another scorching hot day and they were off exploring, it was so exciting.

As they paddled, Ryan pointed out the local wildlife they could see along the shore but the surprise was when they spied battlements along the rock face.

‘Look,’ cried Clive, ‘a castle in the cliff.’

Ryan brought his canoe around expertly and told them about the ruins.

‘This is the Castle on the Loch; it has no other name I know of. Impossible to get to except by repelling down from the top.......’ 

All the kids looked at Unwin excitedly.

‘Forget it! NO ONE is climbing down the rock face to the castle. AM I CLEAR?’ he called, in his loud, stern, no nonsense, you have been warned, voice.

‘Yes sir,’ all the kids said looking glum.

‘It is said the only other way in, is through secret passageways and tunnels,’ Ryan continued.

The kids smiled and look at each other secretly.

‘Unwin didn’t say we couldn’t explore the castle, only not to climb down the rock face. All we have to do is find the tunnels,’ Clive whispered to Quentin.