I met my dissertation tutors today, and then paddled down to High Tide Hole in my creekboat. I really wish I had a sea kayak, but then I certainly wouldn’t have any money, or probably a dissertation.
Pic by Mark Rainsley - SW Sea Kayaking
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Once again I made the pilgrimage up North to the Wet West Paddle Fest, a fantastic get together at the start of the season, with some dam releases, and some partying.
Thursday afternoon, we left Bangor laden down with haribo, crisps and quiche, the food of champions. After being pulled over by the police and questioned about our drug habits, and a few wrong turns we made it to the Falls of Falloch, and kipped in the car park. In the morning we were joined by Jules Pike and Liam Kirkham (of Design Crisis fame) and made tracks for the Orchy.
Me running a drop on the Orchy, it probably has a name. - Pic C. Mitchell
The Orchy was running at a lovely “2″ on the gauge, with some fantastic curler rides and wave trains to enjoy all the way down. Pausing only to admire Jules and Mitch’s lines on the drop above, and to watch a salmon leap clean up the big drop towards the bottom, we blasted down in a mix of sunshine and showers.
Jules, Same drop, different line. - Pic C.M.
The afternoon was spent in Fort William searching out some tip top 70’s funk gear, and generally loafing about, before pitching camp at the Kinlochleven Ice Factor for an evening of frivolity. The entertainment for the evening came from a series of talks, me on Corsica, Dave and Giles on the Thule Beri, and finally the 4 Borders gang on their jaunt to Russian parts. Well lubricated by beers we slumbered merrily, for tomorrow was the Moriston.
Having looked in on the Thistle Stop tea room, just the other side of Fort Bill, for all day breakfast (the service takes all day it seems) we made it to the Moriston to join the million and one other people that were already there. The carnage was, quite frankly, amazing. How so many people avoided serious injury is a mystery to me, with only one ambulance called (I think). Still it made fantastic video!
Atti cruises down the Moriston, Pink lid and all. - C.M.
A few runs later, suitably knackered after a flat out speed run we called it a day, grabbed some fish and chips, and made fot the Nevis Centre and Mama Funk. A quick warm up game of 10 pin bowling next door, followed by some inventive drinks, and we were ready to throw shapes til the wee small hours.
Some old geezer. - CM
Once the wee small hours arrived, we discovered, to our joy that we were at the house of a local dentist, enjoying laughing a lot and a not very hot tub. These duties dispatched, 3 hours kip was all that we needed to go and watch Mitch and Atti have a crack at the Etive with some water in it, before stealing the march, and heading for home.
The Wet West Paddle Fest was fantastic again this year, and this is in no small way due to the hard work of the SCA Recreational chaps and chapessess, Cheers everyone! We videoed a good deal of boating on the upper Moriston, which will feature in a short video, available shortly on my blog. I’m sure I have lots more thoughts on the event, and hilarious stories to fill many pages, but these can wait a while.
Rosie tries a new look. - CM
My new room has a squirt boat rack. Divine.
A week living on a small yacht in the Ionian sea, marvellous. As usual, conveyed mainly through photographs.
Day 1 - Somerset to Manchester to Plataria
Sunrise somewhere over France, Moon and Venus top left.
The boat, Arillas, proved to be excellent, in and out.
I’m off to play pirates in Greece for a week. Have fun!
You have to try squirt boating to understand why we just paddle round in circles until it gets dark before retiring to the local for a discussion about paddling round in circles. - An awesome video by Danny Young
Dan Westaway, the flowerpot man drops in for some time with the fish.
Time to sell on the old work horse and make space for a shiny new creek boat. She’s done me a damn fine service, but still got plenty more in her.
The last ever 4 star from the old system is done and dusted.
The hardest thing about the Ardeche is not getting run over by the constant stream of mad French loonies on sit on tops.
Typical scenes on the Ardeche. Hot, sunny, lots of holiday makers.
A big thanks to Performance Kayaks for the loan of a Dagger Mamba for the week.