I got woken up early and taken from my warm paddle bag to take Chris down the Loop at 7am! It was big water stuff and Art charged ahead like a steam train but we kept up!
After a short break we started the Upper Dart, the levels were still fairly high with the water pooling on the slab. We made it down fine with no drama until just above Euthanasia Falls where Chris dropped me out of an eddie, I saw him chase after me but we parted company. I did see him walk passed again hucking his boat out.
G on the Upper Dart
I felt so alone, stuck in a tree safe but no one knew I where I was and it was starting to get dark. I had been stuck for well over 4 hours when Chris and Angie arrived and pulled me from the tree – I guess I owe them some beer.
Looking back on the Plym
Happy to be with my owner once again, Sunday we decided that the Plym was at a manageable level and possible the hardest section of river we have ever paddled. All was going well until a small boof drop upon which Chris tucked into a low brace position for landing and snapped the end of my left hand blade. Bastard decided to walk out again – serves him right for breaking me.
Broken Werner, I didn’t think they existed
I now feel even worse as we are unsure whether I can be repaired and Chris is thinking of replacing me, I’m only 9 months old – I’m too young to retire!
Sunday evening the Killers played at the NEC in Birmingham and I was lucky enough to have a housemate that brought tickets before the tour sold out within 5minutes. They were ace!
Tom & I formalising the tea making rota
The day was spent at the Dee, where new partner in crime and coaching, Tom Laws and I ran a pilot for one of many new courses we will soon be running. The test subjects found the course really good and Tom and I got some good feedback. Thanks to them.
Nicky at Miner’s Bridge
I was disappointed to find out Main Bar in Bangor was full and later flooded so we ended up in Varsity for most of Saturday night drinking merrily and re-telling stories of that day’s paddling.
Angie pulling a sweet boof
The lower Llugwy was a new river to me and although very low provided entertainment at least for me, where Nicky, Angie and Ali perfected some boofs and later some interesting swims at Miner’s Bridge.
The first section on the Mincer
The faff surrounding canoeing was taken care of Saturday night leaving us the evening to crash at my house with beer, pizza and kayaking dvd’s.
Sunday would see 7 paddlers from Warwick head to Wales for some fun boating!
Nicky Breaking the Ice
School boy error number one of the day was made - because the snow was melting in Coventry doesn’t mean it would in Wales - We arrived in at the get in for the Upper Wye with snow on the floor and ice in the river making it rather cold!
Noj at the bottom of a technical section on the Wye
School boy error number two - not taking a guidebook - I’m not the biggest fan of them however after the Wye we decided to do the local Dulas from memory 4km IV+ it turned out to be as flat as a pancake and later discovered we got out at the get in!
The Wrong Get in for the Dulas
