By Gaby Timmins
No trip to Scotland
would be complete without a blast down the friendly Garry (what a lad).
The day started out
well with an almost speedy get-on, minimal LUCC faff! Groups were hashed out
and Fiona’s group led the charge down the sneaky bankside hard right rapid
numero uno.
Jordan was murdered as
he sat vulnerable in the get-on eddy and his victim passed along. Faye shot
down the first rapid then decided she was too hot and went for a swim to cool
down. In the meantime Phil was murdered after being advised the eddy containing
a murderer was the best one to aim for; with a very vegetarian friendly tin of
sardines.
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| Faye at the get on -very colour coordinated! |
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| The magnificent Dom. hehehe |
A short while later a
bright green glow appeared on the horizon and to our delight Dom joined our
merry band; being down for a few days with Mrs Dom (aka Amy).
We continued down and
round a bend following Jordan’s very casual paddling style, just happily
cruising along until we encountered the cheeky and chunky middle rapid. This
sly beastie is a bouncy right route to avoid a chompy hole. After chucking a
few people down, John myself and Phil entered the fray. Phil thought he would
swap sports and join sub-aqua with a bracing dip. We crash landed into the mini
gorge eddy and lined up for the speedy shoot down the next horizon line.
This little
whippersnapper was a right, straight and PLF job, with all of us leaping
through like Scottish salmon.
And finally we rounded
the approach to the final and very public rapid on the Upper. People have habit
of watching the bedlam from the bridge. A decent lead in where you need only
avoid the rocks and aim straight and hard through the holes (oo-er). Other persons
were to be found jumping off the bridge and enjoying the refreshing Highland
waters below.
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| A ludicrously happy Jack |
Everyone successfully
down we re-grouped for lunch and with people mooching back up for further runs.
Mog and the Hoss ended their previously happy relationship with the monstrous
yellow chap gaining a decent dent. Josh had a jumpy lunch living in fear of
Phil and the fresher’s helmet. Instead he was murdered after a much
orchestrated visit to the quiet of the minibus. (evil laugh)
Everyone gathered for
the cruise down the Lower with Faye having swapped fresher paddles for Jack’s
unforgiving VE’s. She scampered down and finished the day on her own terms a
little way down. #thisgirlcan
The rest of LUCC squad
motored down and fell off the only rapid mid-way down. A twisty scrabble down
the right, and left a bit, and right at so and so, etc. A calming flat section
allowed for conversation and enjoying the environment before the beauties at
the end.
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| The Yorkshire river God |
Adi was to be seen
like a God of the River upon his rock pointing the exact line off a horizon
line ahead. Of course people aimed for it and missed but most came out the
right way up! I believe there were additional inspections of the river bed by
some persons. We grouped in the subsequent eddy able to see some of a bouncy route
down and a sweeping right wave turn. Andy (who remained dry all week-lad points
fella!) guided people down centre until Adi scampered down to point a different
route. Most had no major problems; again a couple of swims…
Until your dear author
decided to cruise down Adi’s route and have an oh bollocks/too far off
line/defo no speed here/oh hell moment and over we went. After some inviting
head bashing against rocks it was (wo)man overboard and the great cry of
SWIMMMMERRRRRRR.
The get-out a short
swim downstream allowed collection of kit and it was smiles all round as we
changed and packed up vehicles. Except for the dog who we befriended and Phil
upset by teasing it with a stick. Mean Phil!
Thanks to all that
led, pointed out, guided, safety-ed and collected various pieces of kit and
various sub-aqua members.
Your fellow swimmy GT
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