A TEAM of veterans from Newport Boat Club overcame everything the unpredictable Scottish weather could throw at them to row the length of the Caledonian Canal.

The Bois y Parrog super vets rowing team, with an average age of 60, undertook their mammoth task at the beginning of this month in an 18ft wooden clinker built boat called Danny Boy - an iconic boat on the North Pembrokeshire rowing scene. Danny Boy is reputed to be about 150 years old.

The Caledonian Canal stretches from Fort William on the west coast to Inverness on the east coast. The boys – bow John Edwards, Richard Owen, Glyn Rees, stroke John Harries and coxswain Peter Collier - covered a distance of just over 55 miles over the four days.

Setting out from Fort William was truly inspirational. Rowing from Banavie (Fort William) with Ben Nevis and the other snow-capped peaks either side of the boat was an awesome experience.

Weather conditions over the four days were not ideal with temperatures ranging between 2-5 degrees Celsius.

The most challenging rowing day was day three three (Tuesday, May 7) on Loch Ness rowing from Fort Augustus to Drumnadrochit - a distance of 17 miles.

With a 12 knot headwind and gusting up to approximately 17-18 knots, coupled with sleet showers and choppy waters, this was very much a gruelling part of the trip. The rest of the rowing days were challenging but enjoyable with calmer waters and beautiful scenery at every stage of the canal.

The crew would like to acknowledge and offer their sincerest thanks to Dai (JCB) Lewis for providing the trip transport and always being at the right location and right time on each of the rowing days. The trip could not have taken place without his first class logistical support.