"Rob" writes:

Can't comment on jet bikes, but all offer nice scenery. Ullswater - put in
at the northern end from one of the many roadside car parks and paddle down
to the steamer pier having checked the coffee shop is open first. The east
side is lovely.

Windermere is, well, Windermere. Theres a slip at Waterhead near Ablseside.

Coniston offers a couple of put ins either at the steamer pier or the head
of the loch and you can paddle to Brandwood for coffee (again, check its
open) and then down to the islands half way down which I understand was the
inspiration for the island in Swallows and Amazons. All very pretty.

And they can all be very bumpy if the weather's "interesting".

Thanks for the tips, I'll save them for later! The current plan now is to
visit an old friend in Dumfries for the night, so it will be a paddle
along the coast near there on the Sunday. Weather permitting...
Though we may just have time for a short try out near Keswick on the
Saturday

Roos