Freshers Trip-amondo.

Being a super busy student of the englishes and the historiessss I have neglected this Freshers Report! *hangs head in shame* Second year sucks balls compared to being a fresher!!

Anyway, on to Freshers Trip. 

Having managed to arrange possibly the biggest freshers trip we’ve ever had, LUCC set off from sheds with, 2 shiny new mini buses, a very large van, and Grog’s car. Needless to say, some classic boats got dragged out of sheds to provide everyone with an actual kayak! So, drove to the scout hut, an odd experience not being stressed and surrounded by snow as we arrived at Ulverston in the Lakes (post-exam trip stresses were a distant memory thank god!!) and having had to sacrifice the Malt Kiln this year, we settled in to our scouting home for the weekend WHERE THERE WAS LOTS OF POLYSTYRENE- Tolly was in some sort of phsycological hell and threatened to hurt anyone who did anything to him with it (he looked more serious than I’ve ever seen him, so we took him for his word). Also, we love scouts, they’d kindly left us a dual bike, minus brakes, which was the perfect mix of dangerous and fun, even if it did say “The Savil-inator” on it : naughty scouts. Liam, having a serious case of FOMO (fear of missing out) had raced us up to the Lakes spontaneously, with him, Earnie, Grog and Wallerbingbang planning a dawn raid on a river (this naturally never happened as we went to bed at 5am, horrifically drunk, with Liam racing back, still drunk, to Kayaks North West in Runcorn for his 9am shift- LOL)

Rhys & his gangster 'S'

So, freshers games, spoons came with the added danger of carpet burns and the introduction of danger spoon N.B it wasn’t very dangerous unfortunately. I proceeded to write everyone’s names on their heads, largely because I kept forgetting them and a little bit because I wanted to use my new sharpie! So, we got really drunk, had fun and as the early hours crept up on us, decided it was definitely time for a torch ‘rave’ with pumping music- the grannies next door loved us the next morning. Louis was loving life creating strobe lighting with the torch can I just say. Oh Louis. We love you.

Jaunty Grog, very jaunty. 

SATURDAY
Standard breakfast sausages from Cap’n Tolly, still containing more unknown substance than meat, but we can live with that! Then it was off to paddle on Consiton for the morning. It was a great morning doing some skills, trying to act like rocks and eddies so freshers could try and pretend they were on a river (never quite works….) and then after rafting up in a giant circle which took far longer than it should for a group of university educated students, the International drinking rules were still being enforced and the usual running over kayaks occurred. Lesson of the weekend: do not say the M word whilst on a lake, press-ups on top of floating kayaks is seal-like, ungraceful and hard. After lunch, we separated into our groups again, had river signals talks and tips on how to swim, and then paddled off to start The Crake. Lesson 2 of the weekend: Paddling to get somewhere on a lake is hard/boring, we need to invest in club jetskis for this purpose. 

The tree filled Crake claimed many victims BUT NOT IN TOLLY’S GROUP OF AMAZINGNESS. Just putting it out there. Meandering down the mostly flat river was good eddying practice and I couldn't help thinking ‘THIS IS SO UNFAIR, no wonder I was so swimmy last year, The Greta is positively Zambezi like compared to this!!’ Tolly’s group, of Tols, Gayham, Adi, myself, Fresher Meg, Harry, Big Tom and Molly eased our way down, laughing at my cheeky roll which I still say was a result of my looking out for the freshers (!) and just generally loving life apart from when trees decided they would take up the whole river. Cheeky portage after taking the wrong fork, but cruising down and arriving first at the bottom above the weir/rapid/get off, we were a very happy group! Other groups were not so, a few had epics, Maeuve ‘smiley Mcswimmer’ broke the social secs records of 5 swims apiece from last year, no hard feelings! But apart from a minor back injury from Tom, all was hunky dory. 

The last rapid took AGES, and when I say ages, I mean, ages. A nice slide down a weir, bimbly, then a rapid curving the the right was enough time for… Tolly to technically swim whilst rescuing a swimmer, Maeve to miss THREE throwlines, our group to fall victim with our first few swims, and for my arm to bruise from hanging onto a tree in an eddy directing people to the get off. But- it was super fun! Getting off, having a little laugh at the freshers who, after watching people brazenly strip off at the side of a road, tentatively began their first ‘get naked on a road’ LUCC experience, and eating Malt Loaf omnomnom all finished the days paddling off nicely. A trip to the worlds poshest supermarket was in need and after that it was just a waiting game for the lush chicken stew cooked up my Gaby and Molly! Liam and Rufus joined us for the night as the drink flowed again. Escaping to the pub in search of awol fresher Big Tom, Grog, Thwaites and I slipped away for a quiet pint, well we had hoped. Grog had different ideas… Ooooof course he did! Getting us involved in a sensitive domestic argument, NO GROG THIS IS NOT THE TIME TO ASK THE ARGUING COUPLE TO CLARIFY THE RULES OF POOL! It was nice not to have to fight for toilets, but we soon returned to the scout hut after failing at giving aforementioned couple some counselling- not sure we’re really the best club to be resolving relationship issues?! Rest of the night= drink, categories game, sleep.

SUNDAY
Waking up to not the greatest water levels ever, we decided after some faff to paddle the Leven- a first for many existing members too which was fun! Such a good river choice!! The flat sections allowed for skills practise, whilst the rapids/drops/BACKBARROW kept it interesting and good fun!  We kept it a slow pace as we were paddling quite a short section, and despite swims and a few wobbly moments, everyone kept smiling and thanking the weather gods that is wasn’t cold. All I can say is- great choice Dom!!! 

Backbarrow was possibly the best part of the entire weekend! With those not paddling it (freshers, and some not quite wanting to tempt the swim gods) standing above us on the bridge, we proceeded to paddle down in loose twos and threes (also, possibly the most casual manner I’ve ever approached a G4 drop in) with most styling it/having cheeky rolls. Ben Waller performing the highest high brace I’ve ever seen in my life, and even Liam ‘I’m a big deal now’ Chambers getting qa wet head experimenting with the meat line. SO MUCH FUN. It was helped by bridge supporters playing what was effectively pooh sticks, just with kayakers, running from one side to the other, cheering as each paddler came out the other side. I live for the applause, applause applause! Swimmy Schn took 2 runs to keep a dry head, but props to her for actually telling us she swam or we would’ve had no idea she was so far ahead. After a few runs, and despite the kayaking craving still humming in the veins of all those in dry kit, we got off the river, got changed, had yummy lunch and then invaded a rather posh looking riverside bar. 

The journey home was interesting…. In the van Rhys, Adi and I were discussing the usual topics whilst trying to stay awake, it was just out of the corner of our eye, that we caught sight of one of the minibuses behaving suspiciously. I shall say no more, but the phrase “Quick, Gaby’s asleep” has never preceded such a rampantly risqué, daring feat- and that’s saying something!!!

Anyway, you know the ending, unloading boats, faffing with minibuses to get people home etc etc.

Well done to all involved for such a huge, epic and different freshers trip!!!

Wally and the Robots, Spud and the New Potatoes, and Gather and Tolly’s groups who definitely had nicknames but I genuinely can’t remember! Anyway, thank you group leaders, seconders, drivers, organisers, Jak &myself for being gameshow hosts &  basically everyone! Well paddled newbies, we look forward to seeing you get awesome and ‘huck some gnar’ because this is definitely a phrase we use in relation to our paddling… 

xoxo

Gossip Gi… oh wait no, just me, JJ AKA Hannah AKA ½ the SocSec team.
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

P.S We'd have more photos if Earnie pulled his finger/SD card out and uploaded them, but we all know they're in the vault now, :P and the vault is where they shall stay till the end of time!

Post-Leven Group Photo

Fresher Friendly Day Trip to The Dee

Here goes my report on my first freshers paddling trip! Wooo!! :D

After a demanding and very early-feeling 9am start at sheds, everyone on the trip gathered bright and cheerful(with hopefully no hangovers!)  As everyone else was sorting out their kayaks and kit for the day, Tom and I being unorganised forgot to get AU membership before the day, so we rushed to the sports centre to avoid a no-go despite bothering to get up for it.  We arrived back at the sheds complete with AU membership and got kitted out.

We loaded up and headed on out to wales! :D Anyone who was on the mini-bus with me would agree it was an interesting journey to say the least, and pretty hilarious! After making a few minor adjustments to the mini-bus with duct tape, it was as good as new! Well, almost.  Despite the minor time delay it caused, we made it to Wales by about 12, to JJ’s on the Dee in a place called Llangollen.

Starting off with an easy stretch of the river, we practised some new basic techniques such as eddying in, eddying out and ferry-gliding the channel.  After getting the hang of this, we jumped out of the boats and walked the path upstream to give it a go on a slightly more powerful current. This is where I epically failed to get the hang of carrying the kayak on one shoulder!  Anyway, this is where the fun started as there were a few almost-capsizes until finally Malin was the first casualty in our group! Charlie was free styling it and spinning round and everyone was having a fab time! We had a food break (Jellybabies! :D) and then set off in the river again at about 4, time was flying past! We moved to more challenging but fun waters downstream, where some of our mentors decide to show off haha! The drops down the river and rapids were amazing :D, even if I did eventually capsize!!

All in all, an excellent, really fun trip!!! If you haven’t already been on a trip, then go! :D We even go for food afterwards to warm up so fish and chips for me!  Thank you from all the newbie’s for organising the fresher friendly trip and see you on the next one!

Jess

WELCOME TO LIVERPOOL FRESHERS 2013. READ ON FOR MORE PADDLING INFORMATION.

Wow, Freshers Week (or Welcome Week as Liverpool calls it) can be a massive onslaught of join this, come here, free this, free that.

To make it simple, we are the Liverpool University Canoe Club, and are one of the most welcoming sports clubs, all levels of paddler are accepted, we have a fantastic social life and are one of the most fun clubs around.

We welcome all ranges of ability, there is no try-outs or intimidating initiations, we look forward to finding undiscovered talent and teaching our watery ways! Maybe you fancy paddling through some beautiful countryside, testing your nerve against white water, splashing around in our weekly pool sessions, or teaming up with our polo players to thrash other University teams? Or maybe you are just finding your feet in a new city and want to get stuck into new things? In any case kayaking will be a new adventure for many, so we have some FAQs for you to read, and hopefully persuade you to potter over to our stall at Freshers Fair, or down to the pool for our free give-it-a-go sessions?

"I am really keen and want to learn more, where can I look up goofy team photos, tales of epic adventure and read club chats?"

For tales of daring trips, you can read down this blog, the majority of our trips are written up by our club paddlers, usually with tales of underwater adventures too.

If you want to re-find it again later, google LUCC goes paddling. 

http://luccgoespaddling.blogspot.co.uk/

  

If you want to read our latest, hot-off-the-press gossip and plans, Facebook is where its at. LUCC has its own page, where any questions are speedily answered, and the fun can be joined!

https://www.facebook.com/groups/220753367942053/

And in case you want to check out anymore information we have the brand spanking new club website on pitchero.

http://www.pitchero.com/clubs/livunicanoe/

"What fantastic plans do the LUCC have up their sleeve?"

Well the star studded committee has come up with a tantalising series of events to draw in the punters. 

A basic run down of our events will be available at the Freshers Fair. Included are the annual Freshers Trip, introducing our newer members to life on moving water; Teifi Tour, a weekend of partying and paddling; and the infamous AU events. But I want a flyer! Now!

"I have never sat in a boat, does this matter?"

Not at all. We welcome complete novices to our club, to teach them and pass on the kayaking bug! We only ask that you can safely swim 50m (two lengths of the University pool), which we ask all new members to do at the first session, it's nothing to worry about, several old members are usually pushed in to show the way.

We also welcome those who have kayaked, have coaching skills and maybe their own boats/kit (we have equipment sheds to store boats), just ear mark a committee member to mention your skills!

"What kit do I need?"

A big enthusiastic grin! Well yes but, for pool sessions all you need is swimming stuff, and a t-shirt/shorts/leggings you don't mind swimming around a pool in.

For trips, we provide all boats, paddles and safety equipment. You'll just need warm clothes and things, but we send out specific lists and guides before our trips.

"I am keen as mustard, and want to join LUCC"

Yippee. Easy, head on to the Sports Centre to pay £30 for AU membership, your club of choice being the Canoe Club, then ask Gaby for a membership form at the first pool session, or to save her printer credit download one here

"When can I hop into a boat?"
The first, free, pool session is at 8.00pm Thursday 26th September. The weekly pool sessions will continue then after, so stick with us!
The first polo taster session is Thursday 10th October at 8.00pm, give it a whirl, then stick along for weekly Polo playing, which will happen from Wednesday 16th October onwards, at 6.30pm.

"I have a question"
Facebook it, ask to join the page, post a question and one of the club members or committee will pop up and reply pronto.
Or you can visit the website, and pose a question to any of the committee, we are happy to help.

Hope to see you soon!

Alps Blog PART DEUX

The second and final part of our University Trip to the French Alps! Enjoy! 

Day 7: 23^rd June
Today was probably the best day of paddling we had so far in the trip! Levels were still dropping making so many more runs open to us, THANKS GOD FOR THAT! So as levels dropped and we gained some serious poundage from our growing pastry addiction, we set off to do The Upper Durance, The Onde and The Gyronde. The Upper Durance was wavy and good fun as the newbie wannabe leaders- Adi, Gareth and Spud- lead their groups down with little carnage (apart from a cheeky swim from myself and then losing Grog- no surprise!) Weather was admittedly not on top form, and we even felt a few chills on the bank! The Onde was full on, fast narrow and rocky!! Spud and Ruth telling me it was one of their favourite rivers before getting on had made me optimistic…. I didn’t even have to time to wonder while bracing, face bracing, and kissing all the rocks on the way down to wonder if they were mad. Swimming 100m from the get off was a bit of a let-down, BUT, have to say, what a river and can’t imagine what JP was feeling having to paddle behind me as I braced for England! Fiona and I both had a bit of a wet bashing on this river (naughty). Also just a note, turns out it was VERY different last time they did it! Finally, the Gyronde which having not paddled I can only relay that it was amazing and full on for many of the less experienced among them. Spud had a a mini epic and invented the Spud Manoeuvre all in one swim! Rolls from most involved Gareth, Gayham, Adi and Earnshaw! (but don't take this as fact, I think my eyes got too tired looking at the swim chart!) Also, JP broke some bottles in the evening, nothing on par with Flic ‘I’m going to be a whirlwind of chaos and break tents and bottles’ Meares, but was the  only mildly dickish thing done, so the vest was his the next day!

Day 8: 24^th June
Whilst writing the blog, I glanced down at my written diary to discover I’d written NOTHING for this day. Asked Ruthy. Suddenly I remember why…. Oops ha. This was the day I received DOTD for “fucking off” and stressing out Adi who was leading my group. Again, oooopsie :P  Yes, I remember this now. I think it was actually quite good up until S Bend where everyone (including a number of other groups on the river!!) was getting off to inspect and set up safety. Having decided to walk it, off I went. First steps to ruin *sigh*.  So I walked too far, long story short. Lost EVERYONE. Had to sit by the side of the road, sulk, and wait for someone to notice I was gone. Stu helpful came to my aid in Chantelle. Cue a guilty looking Hannah… But it was really annoying when all the other groups on the river (who were, to put it lightly, shit) pushed in front of, used our safety and made it all very faffy!!! Also sighted was the impressive lady with a broken foot and crutched in her boat!! What a woman eh! The Lower was another full on run of the day as we waited for the pro boaters to finish it again, in our favourite layby! JP had a cheeky swim and left his boat to make its own drop in the middle of the river. When we got back to camp, despite a 3 river day, Butler coaxed Earnie, Liam, Chris and Grog to do the Fournel. CHRIS SWAM!! Chris, of Chris Kayley’s Driving School, Chris pro Italian boater, swam! Having been through the Scotland experience of a fake Chris swim, it was quite exciting! In the nicest way! A nice little reminder we’re all between swims, but distinctly lacking in epicness, it was a good paddling day had by most!!

Day 9: 25^th June
First line of my alps diary for this day “Having a shit day” optimistic Hannah, didn’t help I was DOTD for being a moron yesterday *sniff*. Anyway, with everyone else really enjoying paddling now levels had dropped sufficiently, it was a mad rush of rescuers in the morning to go rescue James’ boat- challenge accomplished! After more quality layby time we went to the get on for the Briancon Gorge (the one with the chute where everyone gets cool pictures) and again, took some excellent photos after JP had figured out how to take the handbrake off the 9 seater!! For this reason we only caught Adi doing his best Metcalfe impression and a few others- blame chantelle’s weird handbrake! After a wait in our fave layby, we went to run the Lower Claree which was simple and a nice little run for a bit of coaching, despite the annoying portage around an awkward tree. Did the Gyronde in the afternoon, and it was much nicer in lower levels- like a whole new river each time some said! A swim from me early on wasn’t fun, but I stayed on to do the run down to the slalom site at camp. It is just a tad bigger than it looks from the bank!! Rolly rolly, swimmy swimmy. Sit on a rock in the middle for a while whilst Earnie and Liam rescue me- pretty much my run. But, BBQ and Punch night made me feel better!!!  Swim spirits came in place of beer as we already had a spud pretty much overflowing with the stuff (thanks Dan, much appreciated for the fridge! ) Punch was gooood!! Too good really! Fiona and Graham were the drunken messes of the night ha! And I think this is the night we invaded Manchester to make them realise they had to friends with us. Not sure how the night ended up like it did …. Guantanamo Bay guards in training is all I’ll say!! Also, Fiona got punch in Adi’s crotch, we decided not to enforce the ‘Spillage is Lickage’ rule too stringently.

Day 10: 26^th June
Ubaye Day!! After a bit of indecision about whether to make it a Chateau Q or Ubaye day, the Ubaye was set on as more people could run it! So, the longest drive brought up a few odd smells from some vehicles brakes as we wound our way round some mountains, as you do! It was a bit of a wait for the shuttle, and true to Alps form, I swam very swiftly as we did the Upper. It was grim and emerging from the water with a grimace on my face, it was James that had to carry my boat out as I pulled myself up with only one working leg. Chris then threw my paddles back into the river (massive lol watching him realise this I must say) and I settled into the side of the road to wait for a hitch or a pick up from the finishers. On the bright side, I got GoPro’d by a passing French cyclist!! :D Watch out for my foreign film debut! After lunch we drove to the get on for the Upper race course section and some nervous glances passed around as rumours circulated that it was constant 4 with some 5! WRONG. The rumour mill was dispelled pretty soon as they found out it wasn’t near that: ended up a fun run with plenty of water! A smallish group got on and were the star of some awesome photos from JP, Spud and I! Spotted at the get off: Broken foot woman with pretty awesome abs racking up the boats on a car! Needless to say this was pretty much the end of any setting off plans we had as Ruth, Spud, Fiona and I waited patiently for the staring to be over. Boys!

Day 11: 27^th June
DUN DUN DUUUUN. This is the End. Hello Darkness my old frieeend.
Packing up went surprisingly smoothly! We said farewell to the campsite and L’Argentiere for another year *sob* and made our way to Briancon for food and supplies. Jess desperately needed some tyres so in true Liverpool style, Team Espionage did a little bit of espionage themselves and bagged not one, but two tyres. I heard it was a special deal, 2 for the price of 1! Well, that’s the story we’re going with anyway….
Cruised through a rainy France and arrived at the ferry no problemo! After a quick passport check it was back on the ferry and back to the Shite cliffs of Dover that meant home was near. Adi was dropped off in Hammersmith ready for his epic journey to Hong Kong, and we cruised up to Liverpool arriving at around 5am where we prestrnly crashed out in Paddle Manor to Await Jessica and the Van. Unloady loady, yawny yawny, go home- sleepy sleepy. Well Alps, you were a beauty! Cannot wait till next year!!!

Well done organisers, drivers and anyone and everyone who contributed to make this an epic trip! I had the best time. LUCC forever (considering this as a drunken tattoo option)!
I’ve been having withdrawal symptoms since the day we stepped off the ferry! 

Dicks of The Day:
Hannah/JJ- Forgetting stuff
Liam- driving off with lunches!
Ruth- Drunken Mess
Stu- SOMEHOW getting the car keys stuck in the suspension of the 9 seater- FAFF ALERT
Grog- Forgetting his shoes then sulking a bit
JP- Breaking glass bottles
Hannah/JJ- Fucking off
Fiona- Punch in Adi’s crotch
Chris- throwing paddles back into the river

"I sometimes catch myself looking up at the moon, remembering the changes of fortune in our long voyage, thinking of the thousands of people who worked to bring the three of us home. I look up at the moon, and wonder: When will we be going back? And who will that be?"

Alps 2013 Part 1: The Story So Far by Hannah

11 Days, 17 kayakers (plus an indeterminate number of olds, hangers on and friends from home) and all the French Alps as our playground: life doesn’t get much better. Here is the blog! Enjoy & prepare yourself for a Wet’n’Wild year come September.
Love your dutiful and keen Social Sec- Hannah / JJ xxx

* Unless stated, please assume every night involved wine and beer.

Day 1: 17th June

Boring, long and tiring day travelling with a few minor hiccups thanks to a few (well, just one) useless members of the AU. But despite missing driving permits, a ‘lost’ duo and the wrong van, almost forgetting my passport and euros and indeed forgetting the Aux cable for the bus (DOTD awarded) we set off far earlier than planned and arrived at Dover after a few virulent games of Yellow Car in the back seat of the 9 Seater all safe and in sound mind (oh what we had in store for us we knew not!) Anyway, travel travel travel. Rufus overcame her ferry sea sickness woo! Zzzzzzzz. Got off the ferry midnight French time and off we went.

Day 2: 18^th June

After taking over from Iain & co sometime before sunrise, Spudley, Thwaites and I motored all the way through France with all of us (ok, mainly me) remarking on the oddities of French motorways and watching impressed as Spud outclassed Frenchies at overtaking on the wrong side! Keeping everyone in the front awake with interesting lies about landmarks we passed, and a few stops for a sicky Fiona (lol) and our first Pain Au Chocolat’s of the trip, it was midday when we finally arrived at L’Argentiere Camp Site: Camping Des Ecrins. It was hot hot hot, and Team Espionage were already there to welcome us. No kayayakin’ apart from a few runs down the slalom course for a few of us, but a swim in the lake sufficed to get us wet! Went to the supermarket, bought cheap wine and beer. Got drunk. Put up tent drunk. Not much else to say! First alps tea was yum! Sleepy kayakers!

Day 3: 19^th June

A sunny and sawmill wake up on our first full day in France as many came to the realisation that levels were “off their tits” and everything was a bit grey for our liking. Settling on the Sunshine Run as a good warm up for the week, we set off and got on just below the St Clement slalom course in a ridiculous and recirculating eddy. It was indeed ‘off its tits’ and it was a HUUGE group of 25 of us that cluster fucked it down the river. Not my favourite day of the trip to say the least!!! Swimming twice and being told -by a certain Jamie Soughton- after trying to walk out after the first, that I was on an island so couldn’t (I blame my traumatic swim on my believing this!) Giving everyone else a good laugh at my disgraceful kayaking skills resulted in my getting off after Rab somewhere about 3km from Embrun lake which was our destination. Everyone else seemed to enjoy the river! And some pro rescuing skills from Butler and Fred came in VERY useful I must say, but ultimately even some rafting up didn’t entice me to stay on and I left all the smiling faces as they bobbed down to Embrun and I began a sweltering walkout with boat and kit. Sunny happy times at Embrun Lake were occurring when I got there, and a perilous cycle in a Chucklevision-esque 5 man bike entertained us before Liam drove off with everyone’s lunches (DOTD awarded). First Alps lunch though= Amaazing. Epic car rave Party night with all the Unis !!

Day 4: 20^th June

LUCC woke up to sore heads, a bit of vom, dented vehicle roofs (lololol naughty Liverpool!) and even higher levels after a storm in the night. The majority of the group set off to do some scouting, but it came to nothing and they returned to the campsite to await the Student Boater X organised by Bangor. Ruthy, Butler and I were hanging needless to say, and spent the day in bed/doing nothing/ listening to the Harry Potter audio book before making out way to the slalom course and lake to watch the Boater X. Carnage ensued! It was just, awesome. Boats everywhaaaa. Intermediate- we were robbed! Fiona had it in the bag, then a smelly boy tipped her in. Boo. Floater X was our forte (it would be wouldn’t it!!) and we took top 3 in it AND got in the Team Pyranha video AND looked good whilst doing it- ha who are you kidding, you all looked ridiculous but it was fun to watch! The idea of Slovenia was thrown around because of levels, but amounted to nothing as everything there was even higher!

Day 5: 21st June
PARTY NIGHT
But anyway, getting ahead of myself. Did the Lower Guil into the Durance(sunshine run) today and got off at Rab. Levels were dropping a load which was soso good and appeased my alps kayaking fear lots ha. The nose clip remained attached to my nose though: I am a woos and got what I deserved with a very sunburnt nose. Swag found in dead man’s eddy and a good run down the St Clement Slalom course meant a happy group despite the lack of challenge on the river. No casualties! Good lunch! All excited for partay night!!
Party night was simply epic. The word epic might even be an understatement? LUCC, the Olds, Team Italy #2 –Fred, Sam, Nick, Andy &Pete, and Butler and Lowri all joined forces to take the town by storm. Ten beers between the ten recycling points to town (or a bottle of wine for those not stomaching the beer) with all of us in Greenwood shirts, naturally attracted the attention of the local Gendarmerie. Stu’s “NO SPEAKY FRANCAIS” went down a treat, and I hitched a ride on a child’s scooter as we made our way to the Pizzeria in town. Bumler rejected and ejected his pizza ON TO  A CHILD*, but the rest of us managed to survive with more pizza and wine as Papa Greenwood, Ade, calmed the French down with a bottle of wine and Tim did his best Samurai impression with a napkin hat on his head which the small French children seemed quite impressed with. Napkins = world peace! Left restaurant, dunked in fountain (dragged in by Sam!) after cleverly hiding my 10 euros in a bush for protection, and then, well, drunken mental-ness. Trying to get into what turned out to be an U-18’s club night (though how Fredrick and Lowri got in is beyond me? Hmmm) and a short detour into the industrial area where a warehouse attracted our attention. Wheels, More Wheels, French police, RUN, only 1 flip flop, no excuse, mouthy irish girl, DO YOU KNOW THE MEANING OF SHUTUP, arrested Andy, lost irish girl, where’s Andy? Oh dear. Skinny dipping, Liam, why are you naked, again? Scotland all over again.  Accused Chris of stealing my flip flops oops, I had just left them by the lake...  So, Andy spent the night in a French ensuite and we spent the night in various stages of amusement and concern. Party night? Hell. Yes.
* Official Rumour Mill line of events. Passed by an overwhelming majority. Therefore fact.

Day 6: 22^nd June

Surprisingly efficient wake up. Andy was returned to us with a stern talking to by the Gendarmerie. But no harm done! We set off to do a “3km” run of the Upper upper Guil, which was fun, big and bouncy while it lasted. Overestimating its length, we got off 10 minutes later! Most then went to do the Guil Gorge whilst Spud photo bunnied, Grog and I set up a just-in-case live bait just above Chateau Q, and Tim and Iain went to sit in an eddy to pull them all in. As far as the river is concerned, I know nothing. But Grog did build a stellar rock wall into the river! And I’m better at skimming stones, so you know, fulfilling day of kayaking had! Via Ferrata was then undertaken by many, others decided to have a walk up to the Chateau which helpfully only informed you that you had to pay once you had climbed to the top of the very large steep hill… Needless to say, we didn’t pay. Got some great pictures of those climbing and the surrounding mountains though! Weather was balmy by the way! Drove over the Alpe D’Huez tour de France stage in Jessica after, a tad nerv-wracking I have to say! We had to stop to give Jess a breather, and because we found snow!! Stripping off in the snow was a highlight of the day! 

PART 2 COMING SOON KIDS!

The results of a summer paddling trip to Italy by 5 club members.

Anglesey

What with finishing exams etc, I've been very busy enjoying myself, but finally, here's my trip report:

 

We went to Anglesey and it was my birthday and it was sunny and it was fun and Ruth has a cool house and we played sardines and we came home.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Okay, if you want a longer version, read on!... I tend to write way too much, so if it's too long, just don't read it, and don't bother moaning at me; I'm just going to write everything I remember cos I feel like it! 

 

It seems all blog posts must start by describing the group as a brave gathering setting out early in the morning on a perilous and challenging journey. This trip was far too relaxed for any of that! 

 

The early start involved meeting at 5 in the afternoon. (though me and Gareth went to pick up the bus at lunchtime, with questionable soberness from the previous night!). While I was busy pretending to be a pro wedding photographer (on my birthday), the brave, heroic, awesome, and rather good looking group rocked up at sheds and loaded up in the glorious post-exam sun. I turned up ready to go at half 5 in smart trousers, shirt and tie, as it's well known that's all you need for a kayakers weekend, and was presented with gifts in the form of some very tasty looking rum, and a splendid cake (it was my birthday) which was eaten there and then, and definitely not lugged around anglesey all weekend everywhere we went with promises of eating it many many many many many times… Thanks Tim and Ruth! :)

 

We drove on down to Anglesey, with some splendid parking at ASDA on the way down where instead of trip porn, a very alternative lads mag was purchased seeing as ASDA doesn't tend to stock the more exotic stuff. There was a serious lack of stories, but an abundance of tattoos and piercings, so I'm pretty sure Tom Leigh's into some kinky stuff behind closed doors ladies.

 

Arriving in Anglesey, we turned off the road onto a dirt track which was slightly bumpy to say the least and went on for about half a mile, but when we arrived at Ruth's house, we were not disappointed, and Ant showed up just five minutes after we did despite setting off from work a lot later (something to do with a BMW being able to go faster than 62mph, I'd guess). Following Ant's precision timing, (and after hell had finished freezing over, and the pigs had been cleared for take-off once the blue moon set on the 31st Sunday of May), we set up tents in Ruths [modest] back garden and went to explore the house. Then, Ruth opened the garden shed of wonders. Climbing inside (still in shirt and tie), I was like a kid at Christmas (….or maybe birthday…did I mention it was my birthday?), finding scooters, beach toys, shit-on-tops, archery targets, A GODDAM RIDE-ON-LAWNMOWER AND A MINI-MOTORCYCLE!!! and various other cool stuff. I was promised that I could mow the lawn, but it never came to be due to Gareths grass allergy and Ruth (probably rightly) guessing I'd end up running someone (me) over with it, and the mini motorbike was unfortunately broken :( but still, Ruth's got such a cool house!

 

We set up chairs and had a few drinks, playing various drinking games where only a few people actually knew the rules, with hilarity as confused kayakers racked their not too many brain cells to try and work them out. We went for a walk to look at the stars which immediately hid behind some stooped clouds, followed by an epic game of sardines, which was great fun, with lots of great hiding spots. Unluckily, Ruth had a trip over and hurt her ankle, so with one last round, we retired to the tents...at 1am!! 

 

We woke up nice and early the following morning (not), and headed 40 minutes down the coast to the beach where we had a game of french cricket followed by a game of rounders, then remembered we're kayakers, and should not be allowed to play normal sports. But by this time, high tide wasn't long away, so we headed to Stanley Embankment, which is precisely 40 minutes away from the beach, and Ruths house and apparently everything else at ANY location across Anglesey. 

 

After a while deciding where to park, we kitted up and paddled across the lake and had a briefing, then headed under the bridge without anyone falling victim to the boily water…pretty much the only time that day! We got there as the wave was just about starting to grow to something surf able, which made it nice and not-intimidating for the newbies, and soon enough everyone had had a successful surf on the wave. Ruth had decided to opt for the shit-on-top as her swollen ankle was too painful to get in a boat, but quickly her and Ailsa discovered that they quite liked swimming, so repeatedly hopped the shit-on-top on the wave, and back off but a lot more upside-down. Tim discovered that it was written in the stars that he'd be a natural pro play boater, Schnieds conquered her nemesis, Stanley; me, Ben, Gareth, Graham, Ant and Fiona had some fun trying various moves, with pretty much the only manageable ones being those of old-school nature, and Tom and Ellie had a good crack at their first time wave surfing. However, Ellie decided that being on the outside of a boat might be more fun, and after a failed attempt at getting on the wave sitting on the front of my boat, and a failed attempt holding the back of my boat, she and Tom decided to hop off and watch for a bit.

 

We eventually descended into chaotically ploughing onto the wave at the same time with Kings and Queens of the wave aplenty, although Fiona was employing the dirty tactics, jabbing her paddles into others' faces! Me and Tim somehow ended up with our paddles crossed at one point, I rolled up quickly, but still entangled, I may have accidentally held him upside down for quite some time…he didn't drown though so it's fiiiine!

 

The wave eventually died down to being unsurfable, but we were all knackered by now, so headed back for food across the very very surprisingly warm lake (very odd how warm!) We parked at ASDA (40 minutes away), across just a few spaces obviously, got some food and drove the 40 minutes back for showers, some….interesting…joke telling and more drinks which never reeeeally happened because everyone was so tired, and konked out to sleep instead! 

 

Well, most went to sleep. A certain pair decided not to get all that much sleep, choosing instead to make some rather audible friendly time, which wasn't exactly subtle. Those dirty tactics again, ey! Fair play though, high fives.

 

The following day, we drove the 40 minutes to the same beach and decided to better the previous years hole-digging in the sand, with four great big holes joined by tunnels big enough for a person to squeeze through. Typically on my turn to crawl through one of the tunnels, there was a slight roof collapse and so I stayed in the tunnel, digging the collapse from around me and making the tunnel bigger. One of the secondary tunnels (yeah, damn right we had a whole tunnel system!) collapsed however, so we ended up destroying the rest and then buried Tom pretty much up to his head before heading down to the sea to wash off all the sand, leaving Tom where he was!

 

We chilled out for a bit longer then drove back to Liverpool which too took 40 minutes obviously, then, having not yet grown sick of one another's company (could this possibly have something to do with the absence of 5 Italian adventurers? hmmm…), we headed to Gareths to watch How to Train Your Dragon, and Bolt…both of which are great films, surprisingly enough to a grumpy old man like me!!! 

 

All in all, a fantastic [birthday] weekend (you know it was my birthday, right?)…could't have asked for better weather (just ask Ben ‘Lobster-Legs’ Waller), or better company, thanks guys for a great not-all-that-kayaky-kayaking-weekend!! :)

Adi Bellend

Disclaimer: Not all journeys took 40 minutes