Sunday, 30 March 2008
The Devil and the Dee - Part One
The first trip of 2008 was decided round a table at Garry's house. Four of us met, Garry, Stuart, Horse and myself. You can see the planned trips on our new web site. Between the meeting and the trip, Stuart decided to buy a new boat. This thing is made of fiberglass, and is incredibly heavy compared to the Pelicans we currently own. It is the one on the right in the following photo.
Preparations included getting very excited about getting back on the water, which only goes to prove that a mid-life crisis is all about getting back to the feelings you had as a child. We also bought a few new bits and pieces, including a Kelly Kettle. And all the bits and pieces. Horse and I drove down together in my car, and we had remarked on how little kit everyone else was taking. Or were we taking too much? We arrived at our departure point, Bangor-is-y-coed and started to load the boats. We had 3 boats so therefore 3 cars, and as Garry and Stuart took one car to the finish point, Horse, Hopper and I took to loading the gear on the boats. After filling up the boxes with cooking gear, food, strapping the tent in, the chairs, the table... hmm, perhaps we did have too much? On the other hand, the gear Garry, Stuart and Hopper did not look like nearly enough. Horse and I attempted to lift our boat to carry it down to the water but realised immediately that lifting was not an option. So we dragged it down the slope, vowing yet again to buy some skid plates and got ready to launch. The painter on our boat is attached to the front, and so we pushed it into the water backwards. When I say into, I should say under, as the weight simply pushed down until we had enough of the boat in to displace the water and start to float. Which thankfully it did. Note to Self; When launching, put the light end in first. Disaster averted I promptly slipped and went in the Dee, up to my ankles. I climbed out and slipped again, but managed to stay on land by the simple expedient of falling into a patch of nettles. One quick rub with a Doc Leaf and I was feeling much better, if a little damp. We opened one of the plastic barrels holding our stash of beer, and concluded that at least we wouldn't be quite so heavy this time tomorrow.
Garry and Stuart returned, and told us what a good spot we had for the finish. It was decided then to change our plans, and make for the finish by the end of the second day. This was a Friday, in fact Good Friday, and we planned to return on Easter Sunday, which meant two overnight stops. Originally we had decided to paddle Friday afternoon, camp, a bit more on Saturday and camp again, finishing with a final paddle on Sunday morning. As the site where the car was was such a good spot, it was agreed we should go for it and have a lazy Sunday morning. This was quickly agreed, and we launched the remaining two boats and set off.
Horse and I were in our boat, Hopper and Stuart in the other Pelican and Garry on his own at the back of the behemoth fibreglass beast. It soon became apparent that one person in a two man canoe is not an optional choice. Particularly in the fairly windy conditions we now found ourselves in.
Part two coming soon
Preparations included getting very excited about getting back on the water, which only goes to prove that a mid-life crisis is all about getting back to the feelings you had as a child. We also bought a few new bits and pieces, including a Kelly Kettle. And all the bits and pieces. Horse and I drove down together in my car, and we had remarked on how little kit everyone else was taking. Or were we taking too much? We arrived at our departure point, Bangor-is-y-coed and started to load the boats. We had 3 boats so therefore 3 cars, and as Garry and Stuart took one car to the finish point, Horse, Hopper and I took to loading the gear on the boats. After filling up the boxes with cooking gear, food, strapping the tent in, the chairs, the table... hmm, perhaps we did have too much? On the other hand, the gear Garry, Stuart and Hopper did not look like nearly enough. Horse and I attempted to lift our boat to carry it down to the water but realised immediately that lifting was not an option. So we dragged it down the slope, vowing yet again to buy some skid plates and got ready to launch. The painter on our boat is attached to the front, and so we pushed it into the water backwards. When I say into, I should say under, as the weight simply pushed down until we had enough of the boat in to displace the water and start to float. Which thankfully it did. Note to Self; When launching, put the light end in first. Disaster averted I promptly slipped and went in the Dee, up to my ankles. I climbed out and slipped again, but managed to stay on land by the simple expedient of falling into a patch of nettles. One quick rub with a Doc Leaf and I was feeling much better, if a little damp. We opened one of the plastic barrels holding our stash of beer, and concluded that at least we wouldn't be quite so heavy this time tomorrow.
Garry and Stuart returned, and told us what a good spot we had for the finish. It was decided then to change our plans, and make for the finish by the end of the second day. This was a Friday, in fact Good Friday, and we planned to return on Easter Sunday, which meant two overnight stops. Originally we had decided to paddle Friday afternoon, camp, a bit more on Saturday and camp again, finishing with a final paddle on Sunday morning. As the site where the car was was such a good spot, it was agreed we should go for it and have a lazy Sunday morning. This was quickly agreed, and we launched the remaining two boats and set off.
Horse and I were in our boat, Hopper and Stuart in the other Pelican and Garry on his own at the back of the behemoth fibreglass beast. It soon became apparent that one person in a two man canoe is not an optional choice. Particularly in the fairly windy conditions we now found ourselves in.
Part two coming soon
Monday, 24 March 2008
Another Year, Another Sunset
This is a view across the River Dee, taken somewhere between Bangor on the Dee and Chester. More to follow...
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