tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8686671366663879852024-03-13T11:01:16.541+00:00Bearly ScaredThis is the story of Sarah and Esther (team Bearly Scared) preparing for, worrying about and completing the Yukon River Quest in 2013. They are doing this to raise money for the Thames RNLI. Please consider <a href="http://uk.virginmoneygiving.com/fundraiser-web/fundraiser/showFundraiserProfilePage.action?userUrl=Bearly">donating</a> if you enjoy this blog. Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00674088612637866868noreply@blogger.comBlogger42125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-868667136666387985.post-21130544285880231212013-07-08T21:14:00.000+01:002013-07-14T21:18:56.698+01:00Part 4 - The PartySo we arrived in at 14.24pm - we have the certificates to prove it<br />
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After the finish we showered - boy was that good. Esther got a nap and I did laundry as I was leaving the following day. The Ramsay's had booked a table for dinner at 7pm and all too soon it was time to get ready and head to the Drunken Goat for great Greek food. It seemed odd to be sitting at a table eating a whole plate of food again.<br />
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11.30pm and it's still as light as day and we are heading to Diamond Tooth Gerties. They have dancing girls and a rather odd casino,<br />
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1.30 am and its bright as day again and we call it a day as tomorrow we have the finishers dinner and my flight home! In the morning I discover that the hotel don't actually have a shuttle to the airport (as they told me in an email) and they unhelpfully do not assist in working out how I will get to the airport - Don't stay at the Westmark Inn - they lie, don't care and then don't have the decency to respond to your complaint. Thank you to Husky Bus for selling me a ticket for the floor of the bus (and even having a bus big enough for me to have a seat).<br />
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Its worth a couple of pictures of Dawson airport - its a single room airport with a gravel strip and 1/2 the plane was taken up with Questers going home.<br />
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All too soon I was home with just the memories and war stories to tell my colleagues at work. Would I do it again - if you asked me immediately I'd say no but I am already in the process of talking Dan round.</div>
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Esther is still somewhere in Canada and I'm sure has had many more amazing adventures (not all of it with her luggage).</div>
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All Esther's photies: <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/warriorowl/sets/72157634631337365/">http://www.flickr.com/photos/warriorowl/sets/72157634631337365/</a><br />
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All Sarah's photies: <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/98831511@N04/">http://www.flickr.com/photos/98831511@N04/</a>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00674088612637866868noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-868667136666387985.post-73346886945422853732013-07-07T21:13:00.003+01:002013-07-07T21:13:47.824+01:00the race - Part 3 - Kirkman Creek to Dawson!<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-b3xYJFtzW80/UdXT-kx6NVI/AAAAAAAAAfg/_YeELlAy0_8/s1600/IMGP3477.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-b3xYJFtzW80/UdXT-kx6NVI/AAAAAAAAAfg/_YeELlAy0_8/s320/IMGP3477.JPG" width="320" /></a><br />
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Kirkman Creek is a mosquito ridden site on the side of the river - we got barely any sleep. We left again with Head First ready to pick our way through the Islands that hang around the White and Stewart River confluences. <br />
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As soon as we got past the Stewart River confluence the speed of the river increased, a lot. Suddenly we were in a maze of Islands with log jams in the middle of the river coming at you very quickly. They made me quite nervous as avoiding them was high on the list of priorities and speedy hard paddling was needed to avoid them.<br />
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By this time we were both hurting - Esther had hurt her elbow paddling hard to avoid a log jam and my wrist had been painful on every right hand stroke for about the last 12 hours (and even as I write this it's still painful).<br />
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Unfortunately the checkpoint crew were feeling kind and left us to sleep over - when I woke up I then had difficulty waking Esther (who hasn't forgiven me for not shaking her awake). After coffee and an offer of a bacon sandwich we were back on the river for the last few hours. It seems like only a few hours but was actually five.<br />
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More island dodging and following the current and we were again caught up with Super Maryo and another male tandem team. The rain was so hard you could just make out masses of land that were islands and we grouped together to pick a safe path through.<br />
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I had taken my glasses off so that I could at least make out the shape of land. At this stage the river alone was doing over 16kph.<br />
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As we went through the terrible weather we were singing Row, Row, Row Your Boat and Three Blind Mice in rounds to keep spirits up.<br />
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Gradually the weather improved and we were on the run into Dawson. The cloud clears gradually and the moose hide slide came into view (it's called that because it looks like a moose hide). Unfortunately it didn't clear well enough for us to get a decent picture.<br />
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We crossed the line in a row of 3 with the boats that we had found our way through the bad weather with, all in line and 2 minutes behind the other ladies team.<br />
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We were met by Deb and Steve, a tandem couple from the UK who had withdrawn at Carmacks (they need to come back again) and Karla, Steve, Brooke, Lisa and Jason. <br />
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The atmosphere at the finish was great and we really felt that we had achieved something. They were soon sorting our boat out, packing our stuff into the van and carting us to the hotel. Karla and Steve had finished 1st in the mixed tanden class around 12 hours before us. On top of sorting us out and getting us to the hotel they had also booked the table for dinner! Fantastic people.<br />
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<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00674088612637866868noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-868667136666387985.post-41826908608104340042013-07-06T23:33:00.000+01:002013-07-06T23:33:17.184+01:00the race - Part two - Carmacks to Kirkman Creek<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-4mEtyelznlU/UdXRCDIKnrI/AAAAAAAAAds/TSN4nvrnXfY/s1600/IMGP3463.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-4mEtyelznlU/UdXRCDIKnrI/AAAAAAAAAds/TSN4nvrnXfY/s320/IMGP3463.JPG" width="320" /></a>We were woken an hour before our fixed set off time at 23.50 and it was light and hot. We got ready for the next stretch and were 20 minutes late leaving due to general faff. Back in a clean boat with fresh water and all restocked on food.<br />
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I don't think I have ever started a days paddling at 23,50 but we set off knowing that we would shortly come to the notorious five finger rapids. <br />
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We had decided to follow pre race advice given by Joe which was to not follow the main tongue of water down to the chunky standing waves but instead to stay to the left of them and then head right. As we were lining up at the top to have a look we got a little too far right and were caught in a VERY nasty recirculating eddy that we had not noticed. We were extremely lucky not to flip and once out of the eddy we headed down but didn't go quite as far right at the end and so we ploughed through a couple of the standing waves. This wasn't a problem and we were on our way to the next obstacle - Rink Rapids.<br />
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<span style="text-align: center;">We hit rink about 1/2 hour later and again followed the advice we had been given which was to stick to the right hand bank - again it worked and we were through nicely. On the approach we had seen that the rapid itself was big and bumpy but with no rocks it would probably just have been a bumpy ride.</span><br />
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On down the river we were island skipping to pick the shortest route and getting smart picking our way through as the river picked up speed. Too smart. We caught an eddy line at the wrong angle, lost our balance and were unable to keep the boat upright and so it was swimming time. Esther quickly took the bowline and after blowing her whistle, started swiming for the mid river islands with me pushing the boat. Boat 50 who we had just overtaken were soon with us and we had the boat upright and were bailing the water out of it. Boat 66 (the remaining ladies double canoe) also came to help steady us as we both got back in and continued bailing. Boat 50 then stayed with us whilst we got to a shore to do a full change of the boat and they wanted to check we were paddling ok. We had stayed incredibly warm despite our swim but the weather was about to turn against us.<br />
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Thunder, fork lightening and rain - we were soon soaked (again), We even saw snow!<br />
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We decided that we would go in at Minto where there was a monitoring point to have a good sort of the boat - when we got to Minto there was no manned point only the barge ramp but we got off there in any event for a warm drink and to have a sort of the boat.<br />
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Back on the water we pressed on to <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fort_Selkirk,_Yukon" target="_blank">Fort Selkirk</a>, a former trading post. They had a warming room and we headed in for a 1/2 hour stop and warm up. Half an hour was soon up though and we were off again towards Kirkman Creek. It took forever to get there and we finished the day off with team Head First - the final stretch into Kirkman Creek took forever as the rock formations seemed to keep on repeating themselves.<br />
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<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00674088612637866868noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-868667136666387985.post-82359733168467001042013-07-05T22:51:00.002+01:002013-07-05T22:51:56.271+01:00The race..... part one Whitehorse to CarmacksSitting in Vancouver airport its difficult to remember it all. It was long, hot, cold, dry, wet - everything.<br />
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Tu7AQ09f2MA/UdXNTZNx76I/AAAAAAAAAZc/olkSB9rNhNc/s1600/IMGP3430.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Tu7AQ09f2MA/UdXNTZNx76I/AAAAAAAAAZc/olkSB9rNhNc/s320/IMGP3430.JPG" width="320" /></a>On the day of the start (Wednesday 26 June) we were at the park early to get the boat kitted out with everything we needed and gad our final gear check. The only issue was we had packed thermals and it was bikini weather. Ingrid was pleased that we had socks. <br />
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/--_eHvLlbDgs/UdXNXeqIk6I/AAAAAAAAAaE/Ug8hl59518Q/s1600/IMGP3435.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/--_eHvLlbDgs/UdXNXeqIk6I/AAAAAAAAAaE/Ug8hl59518Q/s320/IMGP3435.JPG" width="320" /></a>The race starts with a 300 metre run and we had agreed to walk. We didn't - we did a jog to the boats and were soon away down the familiar stretch that had been covered on training runs.<br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-hF-VQ8_XiYo/UdXNX_ZgZkI/AAAAAAAAAaM/fv-2x0kG22U/s1600/IMGP3436.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-hF-VQ8_XiYo/UdXNX_ZgZkI/AAAAAAAAAaM/fv-2x0kG22U/s320/IMGP3436.JPG" width="320" /></a>Onto the lake and we had been warned of the extreme conditions this could have. It was glassy but extremely hot and we were drinking and dipping our caps into the water to try and stay cool. The lake is over 30 miles and goes on and on and on and on. We spent a fair bit of the lake with Super Maryo who we had been with on training paddles and as the end of the race evidences we were pretty evenly paced. <br />
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As we went past a lake checkpoint we saw Paul and Sue out on the side and understood that they were dropping out due to illness.<br />
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-HPtxiV2q0y8/UdXOuSoFUHI/AAAAAAAAAcI/AFEbXK58fzU/s1600/IMGP3452.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-HPtxiV2q0y8/UdXOuSoFUHI/AAAAAAAAAcI/AFEbXK58fzU/s320/IMGP3452.JPG" width="320" /></a>When the lake finally ended we stopped at the end of lake checkpoint for a necessary bush visit and to pop on warm clothes for the night. Volunteers man the checkpoints and keep fires and hot water going throughout and just keep a general eye on the racers. Seasoned veterans know the "best" checkpoints to stop at.<br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-C2Y4R6A_B2g/UdXOvMnYgMI/AAAAAAAAAcU/iT69E2KQ8qI/s1600/IMGP3453.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-C2Y4R6A_B2g/UdXOvMnYgMI/AAAAAAAAAcU/iT69E2KQ8qI/s320/IMGP3453.JPG" width="320" /></a>So its approximately 11pm and we head into the 30 miles stretch of the river which immediately wakes you up with some very decent size riffles - Esther only got water in her lap a couple of times. We are both comfortable with this type of water so there was no issue and we pressed on.<br />
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-SBWBUZN5IsM/UdXOwSWMVaI/AAAAAAAAAcg/Aig7tfWWit8/s1600/IMGP3454.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-SBWBUZN5IsM/UdXOwSWMVaI/AAAAAAAAAcg/Aig7tfWWit8/s320/IMGP3454.JPG" width="320" /></a>We pressed on to Big Salmon where we stopped for another necessity break (next time we need a better bathroom solution as the buckets we had planned didn't work with the room we had}. Time would have been saved if we could have easily peed in the boat. Onto Little Salmon (a premier checkpoint with a hot chocolate supply) we ran into one of the other female tandem canoes who had decided to scratch as they were feeling unwell. <br />
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-eLI1_oZrXcc/UdXOz8WvLqI/AAAAAAAAAdI/bpQt-jzozSM/s1600/IMGP3459.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-eLI1_oZrXcc/UdXOz8WvLqI/AAAAAAAAAdI/bpQt-jzozSM/s320/IMGP3459.JPG" width="320" /></a>The next section was the long hike into Carmacks and where I misjudged our placement on the map by about 2 hours paddling - thinking we were much closer than we actually were. Not unsurprising given that we had been going for almost 29 hours with only quick stops.<br />
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The dock at Carmacks was a welcome sight - we arrived in on Thursday at 16.50 which meant that we were allowed to leave at 23.50. Getting out of the boat was a relief as it had been a long slog. We were hot and tired and the support crew that we had signed up for at Carmacks took the boat off our hands to clean and tidy it (what stars). Another lady whose name I can't remember showed us to a tent that they had pitched for us and where they had put our bags and made sure we knew where to get food from and even gave us the coins that we needed for the showers.<br />
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After a shower I obtained the best burger and fries ever tasted all washed down with a root beer. Took them to the tent but lay outside to eat as it was hot and literally lay down in the dirt. I woke up a little later to find a foam matress next to me, rolled onto it and continued sleeping. All of this with food right next to me in a campsite which warned of bears - at least there were plenty of others being equally irresponsible with food etc. I would say we got a max of 5 hours sleep but probably a fair bit less.<br />
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We were woken an hour before our fixed set off time at 23.50 and it was light and hot. We got ready for the next stretch and were probably 15 minutes late leaving due to general faff<br />
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00674088612637866868noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-868667136666387985.post-30166162062734213812013-06-26T05:34:00.002+01:002013-06-26T05:34:51.416+01:00the checking<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sarah's stamped arm</td></tr>
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It's the day before the race. This morning we had registration where you collected a stamp on your arm as each piece of the process was completed:<br />
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There was a lot of kit laid out on display and it was interesting seeing what everyone was taking.<br />
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Here we are done and through kit check sporting our official jumpers </div>
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So after the fun of kit check it was time to return to the <a href="http://www.bzkneez.com/" target="_blank">Beez Knees</a> (which is amazing) to take over the kitchen for a mass cook up. <br />
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On the menu for the first section of the race is Chicken, new potatoes, raw carrots and cherry tomatoes; macaroni cheese and meatballs in sauce. For dessert various cliff and luna bars along with apple puree At Carmacks we will restock with tuna splat , more mac cheese, pepperoni and boiled eggs.<br />
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This is the last post we'll be able to do before Dawson - there is wifi at Carmacks (more than 24 hours in) but I don't expect to be in a fit state to use this then. We have had a lot of fun getting ready for this and now its time to slink off to bed ready to be down at the dock for 8.30 am for another round of kit check!</div>
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<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00674088612637866868noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-868667136666387985.post-57906750708858384632013-06-25T05:55:00.002+01:002013-06-25T05:55:51.537+01:00the welcomingIt's busy here in Whitehorse. There is no room at the inn and people are arriving. Not many places left to put them. Nancy here at the Beez Kneez is run off her feet and does amazing things to try and find rooms for people.<br />
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Yesterday was a relaxing day. We started off by packing everything into dry bags and then into the boat that was sitting in our back garden. I then walked out to the DIY store for pipe insulation for the gunnels of the boat and also to lag the pipes of our water systems to keep the water cool (a tip from Joe).<br />
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On the way back from the DIY store I went to the Real Canadian Superstore and bought children's sandcastle buckets - we now have pots to P*** in. I then swang past Kanoe People to pick up the spraydeck and into Coast and Mountain (again) for a small dry bag.<br />
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That afternoon we even had visitors, Karla, Steve and Jason (from team Currently Confused...Still) popped in to say hello - it's great to have friendly faces around.<br />
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Monday morning we had another test run and instead of walking the boat all of the way back into town we walked it across the road and got it all set up with the deck on.<br />
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Then we were off on another pesky practice run - only 20km this time and there were more people about.<br />
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t took us a while to find our rhythm - we were rocking a fair bit and it just didn't feel right.<br />
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The scenery was still good though.<br />
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As we reached the end we had hit our pace again and were happy with how the paddling was feeling.<br />
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There would be a very lovely photo of Sarah here but E's camera is too old to work with the notebook!!!!<br />
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We pulled in to the take out at The Takhini river and unfortunately there was no space in the mini bus leaving so we got to hang around in the sunshine, getting bitten by mosquitos for a while as the other paddlers came in to fill up the bus.<br />
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We were soon back in Whitehorse and in to shower, change and out again for the food shop from hell.<br />
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Monday evening was the YRQ meet and greet where we got to meet up with some people we didn't already know and some that we did. On the way we popped to Coast & Mountain (yes again) for Sarah to get a space bivvy bag.<br />
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I think all of the racers got the message that if your spot device had not already sent a signal from Whitehorse you were in BIG trouble.<br />
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00674088612637866868noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-868667136666387985.post-65812379099885521632013-06-23T05:31:00.001+01:002013-06-23T05:31:34.977+01:00The testing<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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It's Saturday which is the day of the first practise run so we went to Kanoe People to launch in our rented clipper. We were hanging around for a while hoping that someone else would put on but no one seemed ready to. There are only so many hours in the day (particularly when sunset is at midnight) and so we decided we would be first on. It was the first time in the boat and there was a decent current so we were not sure how she would handle over the eddy line.<br />
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We should not have worried. We were soon over the eddy line, turning nicely and charging down the river past the buildings of central Whitehorse.<br />
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We were soon seeing the partly ogrn cb's which are described in our maps (ask for a copy of the O'Rourke maps if a translation is needed).<br />
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The sun shone on as we sped down the river covering the first 4 miles in 20 minutes!<br />
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We took some time out of paddling to get close to this juvenile bald eagle (sitting on the branch) and its mother which flew off as we approached.</div>
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The take out at Burma Road was easily spotted from the directions we had been given and the flag that had been put up. We covered 30km in 2 hours and 40 minutes. This is pretty much the same as our race timings so we are happy with this as we took it easy and were tourists.<br />
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So this is the road we get to travel on Wednesday on to Policeman's point and round to lake Laberge,<br />
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We now have the boat in the back garden of the Beez Kneez and tomorrow is packing practice - life in the fast lane here.<br />
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We spent the remainder of the day shopping for clarityn for Sarah's mozzie bites and a cheap emergency tent to go in the boat. After a long hard day we rewarded ourselves with a trip to the Mexican restaurant. No points for guessing what Sarah was drinking.</div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00674088612637866868noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-868667136666387985.post-25042755713717231452013-06-22T05:00:00.001+01:002013-06-22T05:00:56.590+01:00the gathering<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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So we were up bright and early and by 8 am we were out having breakfast and then it was time for a wander to "check the levels" as Tom would say. For non paddlers this means going to look at the water. It was big, green and fast.<br />
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The next stop was to pick up our extra padding for our bottoms aka gel seats - yes we do need them. We then wandered towards Kanoe People to look at our new boat 2005/5 - really does need a better name. We will send pictures of it tomorrow.<br />
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Down by the riverside we saw the trolley bus and then wandered to the supermarket for supplies. The vegetables are massive - onions as big as your head and whole chickens are 50% dearer than cooked ones.<br />
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Esther has plans for tomorrow - Sarah will be wandering the streets looking for a Mountie (only joking Dan).<br />
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After a spot of lunch we hijacked the hostels dog, Bertha, and went on a walk to the longest wooden fish ladder in the world! There was a nice 5km circuit up the river, over a bridge and back again through town which suited us.<br />
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Esther thought the water felt a bit chilly but in this sunshine that was very welcome.<br />
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This is only half of the river around one side of an island just to give you a bit of perspective.<br />
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Esther went for a look around the fish ladder (mainly as the man outside was almost begging for visitors. Sarah held the dog.<br />
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Unfortunately it was the wrong time of the year for fish and she saw a solitary grayling.<br />
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We then wandered to the top of the dam and looked out over Lake Schwatka where there is a float plane base.<br />
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As we wandered back towards town there was serious evidence of beaver damage on trees. At first it seemed quite special to see this and then you realise just how significant the damage they do is as whole swathes of trees had been affected.<br />
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It's currently 9pm and before bed tonight we will be getting everything ready for tomorrows paddle but it is incredibly light - like the light you get at midday on the brightest summer days, instead of what you would expect for the time of day.<br />
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<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00674088612637866868noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-868667136666387985.post-10495403945984940772013-06-22T04:22:00.000+01:002013-06-22T04:22:55.114+01:00The arrival...Sarah's account of the journey to Whitehorse.<br />
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The day of leaving I was up at 5.30 to shower - stare aimlessly at the bags and then to print off and laminate the words for modern major general and little list. Its a keeping the minds working tactic that we are attempting to learn both of these by the end of the race<br />
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Half way through setting up the laminator Dan stumbled out of bed and offered to come with me to get the Heathrow express.<br />
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I hate flying even after taking a fear of flying course - you have to wait - forever, its not comfortable (even in premium economy) and its boring. I like flying flatbed - I cannot justify this but suspect that I may be more likely to say to hell with the upgrade cost on the way home.<br />
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This is an odd flight - sitting in the gate there are clearly regulars who are being hugged by the cabin crew! I have never seen that on a transatlantic flight.<br />
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So during the flight I was introduced to the Caesar - this is Clamato (tomato juice with clam juice added ) and vodka. <br />
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Arrival at Vancouver was late but smooth and they have aquariums where you can watch the pretty jellyfish What they don't have is a pay in lounge before you check in for your domestic flight and I have 4 hours until I meet Esther - well I guess it's all acclimatisation for long days!<br />
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<span style="text-align: left;">So then several hours spent sitting and mooching (and getting a massage) and along wanders Esther and its time to check in for our flight north. No one seems to quite get what we are waffling on about and off we wander for a bite to eat. </span></div>
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I'm slightly worried that Esther isn't getting into the swing of practising sleep deprivation as she is currently passed out of the benches at the gate.</div>
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Checking in for AirNorth goes well even though our bags are hugely overweight and then at security there is a sign which tells us we have to put our thermos flasks in the bin - we go slightly mental until we are told that the bin is in fact a tray. It's not a particularly busy section of the airport but could take more capacity!</div>
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Onto the plane and we are both asleep before take off, which wakes me up. We know that a snack was served as at times we saw the residual bits but we were too much sleeping to worry about this.</div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-x7T8YjgCvHc/UcS9LVnULzI/AAAAAAAAAQc/6A-YqPqoeBA/s1600/IMGP3360.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-x7T8YjgCvHc/UcS9LVnULzI/AAAAAAAAAQc/6A-YqPqoeBA/s320/IMGP3360.JPG" width="320" /></a>We arrived into Whitehorse at midnight and it was surprisingly light. We were a bit sleepy so the first view of the river is from this morning - looks great.</div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00674088612637866868noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-868667136666387985.post-8822290436215814322013-06-20T22:06:00.000+01:002013-06-20T22:07:14.239+01:00Final planning for adventureSarah's partner here, as both Sarah and Esther should be somewhere over the atlantic I thought I'd share a few things that they were up in their final days before their flights.<br />
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Saturday was a planning day, Sarah and Esther got out all the maps for the final planning and then brainstormed to see if they could work out if there was something important they hadn't covered.<br />
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Tuesday night was the last night at the basin with Tower Hamlets Canoe Club. Instead of going around and around they challenged everyone else to pilot Fifty Shades a couple of hundred metres, and to guess the finish time - all to raise funds for the RNLI of course.<br />
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Some members cooked a lovely bear shaped chocolate cake to go with the BBQ, I think they enjoyed the evening of fun.<br />
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Early Thursday morning Sarah was up and scowling at her bags: too full, too heavy, but there was nothing that could be done without. A taxi was taken to Paddington where she headed off to the airport, Canada and almost certain adventure.</div>
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<br />twicezerohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08718687402264015852noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-868667136666387985.post-38321586850143947212013-06-20T10:04:00.002+01:002013-06-20T10:05:57.566+01:00The end of the journey and the start of the trip<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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So I'm sitting at Heathrow waiting for the plane (delayed) and it seems as good a time as any to write about our last full day paddle - Windsor to Kew (for old time sake).<br />
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We said a final goodbye to the lockies we have been passing for months and made sure they knew we wouldn't be bothering them again. We also thought we would spread some news of what we were up to.<br />
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At this point there were a couple of families out in canoes having a really hard time in the wind. We also then came across a traditional group of English yobs steering a motor boat in decreasing circles and then rocking it to try and capsize - clever boys.</div>
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Due to the headwind we hit Richmond lock some way behind target but at least Esther didn't get set upon by geese this time.<br />
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It only seems right to finish off by showing your our journey home. After being on the water for over 10 hours and leaving the house at 6.30 am we have to pack up the boat, get it on the bus to the train station, catch a train, then another bus and the final 5 minute walk back to Sarah's flat before carrying it all upstairs. I suspect it will be some time before we do that again!<br />
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<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00674088612637866868noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-868667136666387985.post-30207400362947008822013-06-12T20:53:00.001+01:002013-06-12T20:57:48.356+01:00Animal Rescue<br />
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So Esther had Tuesday 11 June booked off so that she could see friends who had not been in the UK for a long time. In honour of her day off I pursuaded Ari from Interserve's team to join me in the boat for a few spins in the boat so he could practice steering.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">An Egyptian goose (not the actual one)</td></tr>
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We were happily paddling round and noticed the male swan attacking one of the Egyptian geese - not an unusual event as the swan is a bit of a nasty one and already has a vendetta with the little white duck. We kept going and on the second trip back it was looking more suspicious as the goose wasn't swimming away and the swan really was trying to kill it. So we approached and tried to get our boat between the 2.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">An attacking swan (not the actual one</td></tr>
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It transpired that it getting away from the swan the goose had swum into fishing line and become tangled on this. We managed to get the goose away from the swan, find the line and cut it from where it had tangled to the edges of the dock. However the goose couldn't swim and we were borrowing knives from passers by who we asked to phone the RSPCA or something.<br />
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The goose was exhausted and we clearly needed to get onto land and get the line from its wing. <br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Not the actual fisherman</td></tr>
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One of the fishermen climbed down into our boat and carefully got the goose and line into the boat and sat calmly with it as we got to the dock furthest from the swan, where we cut and untangled the line - the fisherman was very careful doing this.<br />
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We sat calmly with the goose for a while and it was calmer with a cag over its eyes. Then a fire engine turned up with firemen who are what had been called! They were pleased that we had the goose, had freed it from the line and they professed no real experience in goose rescue and were somewhat unsure why they had been called.<br />
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After a while the goose got up slowly and had a good flap - clearly no wing damage so we left it to have rest while his missus made lots of noise. This was lucky as Dan said I could not take it home<br />
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At the end of the night the goose had a swim and went to meet the missus. They swam straight back towards the swan who chased them away (clearly not an intelligent goose).<br />
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As the geese flew to avoid the swan attack our already befuddled goose flew straight into lines which hold slalom poles up and came crashing down into the water. We left him gathering his thoughts on the pontoon and hopefully he will be well when we go back on Thursday.<br />
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Somewhat amusingly I have been named as a hero: <a href="http://lovewapping.org/2013/06/sarah-shadwell-basin-outdoor-activity-centre-wapping-hero/">http://lovewapping.org/2013/06/sarah-shadwell-basin-outdoor-activity-centre-wapping-hero/</a> I'm not - I'm a fool who quite likes wildlife So thank you to Ari for putting up with my animal rescue attempts when all he wanted was some practice. Sorry to Esther - you missed the most exciting night of paddling I have ever had at the basin. Thank you to the fisherman for helping to sort it out. Thank you to the chaps who passed me a knife, and to everyone who was involved in our animal rescue attempt.<br />
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I must also report myself to the club committee for allowing someone into a boat and passed the yellow line without a PFD.<br />
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SarahAnonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00674088612637866868noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-868667136666387985.post-18059689976430475292013-06-09T13:50:00.001+01:002013-06-09T13:50:15.659+01:00Citius, Altius, Fortiusis the slogan of the moder<span style="text-align: center;">n Olympic games. We are borrowing it for this trip.</span><br />
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So, another weekend another training run and we were repeating Reading to Kew. When we did this a couple of weeks ago we were shattered by the time we got to Old Windsor Lock on Saturday nigh and, to be honest, starting again Sunday am wasn't pleasant.<br />
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How different could it be.<br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-sGCtIWu88jU/UbR2oS4mnsI/AAAAAAAAANk/f_wgQzPao90/s1600/IMGP3330.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-sGCtIWu88jU/UbR2oS4mnsI/AAAAAAAAANk/f_wgQzPao90/s320/IMGP3330.JPG" width="320" /></a>We built the boat downstream of Caversham Lock and were soon off speeding past Marsport (see previous post). We expected this to be a bit monotonous as we have done it before. It wasn't. <br />
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The weather was good, the other boats were great and we had a fantastic Saturday. It was shinier, brighter, more scenic and quicker. What's more all of the baby birds were out - and finally we were seeing signets (they seem to be later than ducks and geese).<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Esther having an Evil moment in a lock</td></tr>
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We got to Old Windsor Lock more than an hour before last time and we were bouncing. Instead of half dragging the boat to the campsite it was up on our shoulders. The tents were up and we were chatting to a fellow camper who was kayaking from Letchlade to Teddington. <br />
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After our trek to the Toby Calvery (shorter than last time) we had a great dinner (tastier, able to eat more) and whilst pudding was rather disappointing we were more awake and walking home in the light (that'll be quicker again). Back to the campsite and straight to sleep (perhaps it was quieter).<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Steam Cruiser coming through the lock just before bed time.</td></tr>
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We have learnt from last time to start off at a warm up pace (slower :-() and work up to usual so we were straighter. We were strong with no aches and truly felt great - would it last? We stormed along with very little other river traffic until we approached Chertsey where rowers were out practising. <br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Teddington Lock and view of the RNLI base there</td></tr>
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We then had a little dispute on whether or not we should be paddling in the trees (what they thought) or a decent distance away from the bank (my view). As they were not looking behind whilst travelling backwards, as rowers, do they had not seen us and instead of overtaking on the outside (where there was about 60m of river) they had steered suddenly to the inside (where there were trees). I may have called the screechy woman a rude name under my breath (angrier).<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Esther cowers from Richmond attach geese</td></tr>
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On we went with very little other incident until Richmond lock where Esther was attached by geese - she did tease them (sillier). We made it to Kew at 3.30pm which is good going. The boat was packed swiftly and we were soon on the train home. We were hyped up and happy that we have done the right training and that being in a boat for days in a row is feeling good.<br />
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On Monday I was still strong and decided to skip a day of rest and head to the gym after work where I promptly increased all of the weights by 5kg and made my row and run 5 mins longer - still stronger!<br />
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Next weekend is a day paddle and then planning and then we have only midweek paddles, planning and packing and we are flying out. Let us at the river we're ready for it!Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00674088612637866868noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-868667136666387985.post-72283097125660745702013-05-30T22:27:00.002+01:002013-05-30T22:27:56.221+01:00Oxford to Reading and racing<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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So its Saturday again and we are up at 6am on our way to Oxford. We have a campsite booked 35 ish miles down the river and then plan to carry on to Marlow tomorrow.</div>
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After a taxi ride to Paddington, a train ride and then a short walk from the station to the canal side we are putting the boat together. On top of paddling all of our paddles start and end with us lugging the boat and our kit on public transport and then with the unpacking and building or dismantling and packing of the boat. The boat weighs 23kg and then add on tents, sleeping bags etc so just getting on the water is no mean feat.</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Oxford Locks</td></tr>
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We paddled north up Oxford Canal and then along Duke's cut and south back through town on the Thames. This is almost all of the Oxford Loop, what I used to consider a short days paddle at 6 miles - now its a tag on to what would otherwise have been too short a day!</div>
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We passed Abbingdon and lots of other places that we simply can't remember. The countryside was lush and green and the weather was very hot. On the down side there was NO flow so it was a hard slog.</div>
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Towards the end of the day we passed this bridge by Days Lock. This is where they hold the annual <a href="http://www.pooh-sticks.com/" target="_blank">poo sticks championships</a>, Now I think the woods that followed looked mightily like the kind of place you would find Eyeore hanging out.<br />
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Benson Lock was our last lock before the campsite and as it was after 6pm it was self service. The locks are easy to operate and push button so we always do this when we can as it avoids a portage.<br />
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After a nights camping in Wallington (and a classy dinner at the Hungry Horse) we were on the water by 8.30 and paddling towards Reading. It was hot, there was no flow and spirits were not high.<br />
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By the time we got to reading there was a Hasler race in full progress lots of FAST kayaks wizzing past.<br />
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We were clapped as we reached the finish line - and got to chat with Martin who used to be in our club and had been competing. He had been in the lead with his K2 paddling partner but they had broken their rudder and retired to sit in the sun. It was good to see a friendly face.<br />
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As we reached central Reading we worked out that at 2pm we were 5 hours from Marlow. With taking the boat down this meant that the earliest train out of Marlow would have been after 8pm putting us home close to 11pm. <br />
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In the absence of a handy middle station we decided it was packing up time. 51/2 hours is a short day on the water but we couldn't cope with getting back so late so we called it a day, packed the boat, had a picnic and caught the train home.<br />
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On getting home Sarah was ecstatic. Whilst she had been training Dan had been on a shopping mission to the sake at Vivian of Holloway and had returned with 4 new 50's reproduction dresses for her featuring full circle skirts, spots and flowers. What a star. As a reward I took him paddling on Monday around Wargrave which is on the route from Reading to Henley.<br />
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This weekend it's Reading to Kew again and the last of our 2 day paddles as after this we need to start with the packing.Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00674088612637866868noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-868667136666387985.post-32725725785457265032013-05-30T08:56:00.003+01:002013-05-30T08:56:55.394+01:00We are paddling, we are paddlingSo, after the lovely mileometer I have our first training session down as Tuesday 15th January.<br />
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Since then, we have paddled for 2 1/2 hours on almost every Tuesday and Thursday.<br />
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Day one we didn't paddle many times around <a href="http://bearlyscared.blogspot.co.uk/2013/01/oh-baby-its-cold-outside.html" target="_blank">our beloved basin</a> in a couple of hours (you just ask Sarah!). We now paddle between 22-28 times around in circles, depending on the boat we are using. So, in excess of 7.7 miles with 9 right-angled turns to be taken in one circuit.<br />
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We now have a stroke rate of 60-70 strokes per minute and can keep that up for 10 hours. We can hut (swap side for the non-canoeists) like a very well-oiled machine. In fact, I even experimented with a napping stroke while paddling last weekend. Sarah never noticed!<br />
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In terms of hours - I have that as about 200 which also covers approximately 3000 mouthfuls of food for me. Sarah eats much less, though much faster, so I reckon, in total, we have shovelled 5000 spoonfuls down, all while still in the canoe.<br />
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I'm getting slightly maudline already as all I can think of is how much more training we could have done. Maybe started 10 hour days a month earlier and not had any life at all (sorry Dan!). However, Sarah and I might have got grumpy earlier instead of just these last couple of weeks....and at least we are now on the up as paddling Fifty around the basin always has a frisson of excitment about it! (I haven't capsized us for weeks!!)<br />
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Least we are on our last two full day paddles this weekend. Reading to Kew again.<br />
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Tuesdays and Thursdays are all in Fifty now, it is just a bit more fun as we navigate around our club beginners group and kayak rescues. We can always look and coo at the baby coots and swans or watch the swan and white duck soap opera!<br />
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<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-868667136666387985.post-79707180450056840572013-05-23T19:54:00.000+01:002013-05-23T19:54:41.314+01:00A lovely drift down the Thames<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Saturday am we were up at 6am and on the 7am train to Reading. We were on the water around 08.30 and at the first lock soon struggling to get through as my brain wasn't quite following the instructions. Before 9am the locks are self service so luckily before we got to the next one the lock keepers had come on duty.</div>
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It was a beautiful day as we charged our way 35 miles to Old Windsor Lock. We saw lots of rowers out and about, gin palaces and canal barges - the busiest day on the river so far.<br />
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Our first point of interest was just outside Reading when we passed Marsport where we got taught and bought our paddled. We then saw one of our canoe club members taking part in a running race - he even took time out to call us.<br />
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We revisited St Patricks Stream avoiding duck and goose babies.<br />
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We saw the sights - in the run up to Henley they are starting to set up for the Henley Regatta at the start of July (or that's what I assumed as all of the lanes were not set out when we were last on this stretch. <br />
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It was sunny yet no sign of Paul Daniels this time (he must have done a magic disappearing act). We didn't like that a lot.<br />
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In Marlow we came across <a href="http://www.kayakojacko.com/" target="_blank">jacko</a>. He is the coach who took my BCU 2 and 3* canoe, my 4* training and my L2. Seems that he must need to take some of the blame for this malarkey and it seems somewhat poetic that we sped past him as he did a leisurely trip.<br />
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On past Marlow, which we once thought was the getting off point after starting at Reading.<br />
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Through Maidenhead and we got to listen to an 80's music festival at Cookham (Erika next year leave the baby with your Dan and we hire a barge to sleep on and go to this). We sped past Bray and the Fat Duck with it's egg and bacon ice cream. Past Windsor racecourse and the castle was in clear view.<br />
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We just caught the lockeepers in action at Romney Lock before they clocked off for the night and we were onto the home stretch to our home for the night.<br />
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Saturday night we camped at Windsor Old Lock thanks to the Lock keeper. An amazing spot which we loved and we must have been tired as even the weir didn't cause several middle of the night toilet trips.<br />
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We wandered to a local Toby Calvary for dinner and completely misjudged how hungry we were - eating less than half of the food we had piled on our plates (oops). Then it was back to the tents, without dessert, a quick trip to the very clean facilities and sleep in about 10 seconds flat.<br />
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-I9umunXlaNc/UZlCmYWef9I/AAAAAAAAAKM/WH_w_5bvmOI/s1600/Thames+19+May+2013+005.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-I9umunXlaNc/UZlCmYWef9I/AAAAAAAAAKM/WH_w_5bvmOI/s320/Thames+19+May+2013+005.jpg" width="320" /></a>We woke early (planes and light) and made breakfast and readied ourselves for the day ahead.</div>
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Esther got a bit confused and thought we were on a nice camping trip and made use of the patio table and chairs for brekkie.<br />
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Back on the water we had slightly less miles to do aiming for Kew. As we started the boat just would not keep a line. We moved us, we moved bags and we were peed off. <br />
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We then applied a bit of logic and realised our stroke rate had gone absolutely bananas. We usually hit around 70 strokes a minute and we were over 100. We slowed it down and immediately could hit a straight line - phew - could have been an annoying day.<br />
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Today locks were our friends. We have developed a system which means that they are where we eat and drink. They come up every hour and so as we are waiting for the water to go down we shovel in food and some nice lock keepers even offer to fill up our water bottles. A useful point is that in general there are loos at the Thames locks.<br />
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We had to share quite a lot though and some were jam packed with us nestling between cruisers.<br />
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To finish off the day we came across some officious little girls in a safety boat telling us that they were about to have a rowing race and could we pull off. It was the university Bumps.</div>
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<span style="text-align: center;">The PLA manages navigation on the tidal Thames and they had it listed as an even that would not effect navigation. It did. </span><br />
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<span style="text-align: center;">We were asked to move off the river - we wouldn't as there was no closure notice and we were asked to move across to the wrong side of the river for navigation - which we did (mainly as we were almost off and that was the side we needed to be on). Luckily the gents further down the river knew that they had no river closure. We stayed well out of the way and watched the fancy dress fun</span><br />
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At the end of the day we were tired, hot and then had a nightmare journey home using a total of 3 buses and one train, as there were works on the usual railway. By backside ached but seemed to go off with painkillers. I never expected that the worst thing to get used to would be the sitting.<br />
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Oh well - something similar for the next 2 weekends and maybe the ass ache will wear off.Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00674088612637866868noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-868667136666387985.post-62716820206971144162013-05-19T22:03:00.000+01:002013-05-19T22:03:18.969+01:00Electrical shocks and then trainingIf only this was our secret recipie for success!<br />
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Instead, it was my cooker earthing itself via me on Thursday evening. Who knew electricity could throw me three feet across the room and really hurt!!! I didn't.<br />
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Anyhow, it was really quite painful throughout Friday, especially my upper chest muscles, so I was a bit worried about our long training weekend. I couldn't cry off as I'm be hurting before Carmacks so thought it'd be a good test...<br />
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So, muscle rub and painkillers got me through the first few hours of Saturday. Lovely scenery, nice paddling, loads of baby ducks and Sarah's singing got me through the rest of the 10 hours.<br />
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In fact, it turned out to be a good training session. I'd have been hurting regardless of the electrical shock so hey ho really!!<br />
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Turns our Double Deckers are my thing, will be importing many of these to Canada! <br />
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-868667136666387985.post-54558070461679860102013-05-13T21:36:00.001+01:002013-05-13T22:37:28.702+01:00Water, Water everywhereIt's 44 days to go and the river is frozen - this was yesterday lunchtime.<br />
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<img alt="64_2013_May_12_1257.jpg (930×335)" height="144" src="http://yukonriverbreakup.com/gallery/pictures/2013/64_2013_May_12_1257.jpg" width="400" /><br />
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Fingers crossed it defrosts in time.<br />
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With all that ice we are currently trying to work out how much water we need - guesses on a postcard!<br />
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<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00674088612637866868noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-868667136666387985.post-14971914585292518462013-05-12T18:42:00.000+01:002013-05-12T18:42:15.119+01:00Training, training and more trainingAs Sarah has handily pointed out, it is 45 days to race day!!<br />
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I am pretty sure that means I am allowed to be a wee bit terrified of what we have blithely signed up to do.<br />
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<b>Racing 444 miles in 3 days with only 10 hours rest.</b></div>
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We have been training since early January, through ice, snow, rain, swimming tests, a little bit of sunshine, canals, rivers, canoe chutes, lock portages (hate them!), good days, bad days, singing (from the back of the boat - I only know 10 green bottles), food testing, map reading, distance planning, and counting every 15 strokes almost all this time - now this drives me mad although it's an oddly addictive pastime!</div>
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So, what else do we have to do? Well, the answer to that seems endless right now. I currently have a spreadsheet for all the gear we need. Another document that tells me what final details and documents I have to check (oops, must remember some dollars). Then there is the maps, I still need to write timings on, laminate and then spiral bind. I've now started another checklist for the food which, to be honest, could be another post in and of itself. </div>
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Although, I've been told that carbo loading for ultra marathons (yes, the YRQ is classed as an ultra marathon - who knew) doesn't work if you start over a month before the start date - darn shame!</div>
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Yesterday's training run down the Thames, just over 30 miles, wasn't fantastic as we are both a bit tired and weary of canoeing. But, it wasn't awful despite the wind making it tricky keeping the power on and the boat straight. So, I've decided that is a positive - even though the thought of having to paddle in hard winds across Lake Laberge is worrying me - what if we don't make it?</div>
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Sarah and I have had out discussions about what we are doing if we feel tired, cold, grumpy etc and I'm pretty hopful that if one of us absolutely wants to stop we will - at least for 20 minutes while brewing up a lovely cup of tea and having a choccie biscuit!!</div>
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But not until we've passed the rapid! I wonder which flow level we will be lucky enough to have ...<br />
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Probably not<a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zd0AHKFDAvw" target="_blank"> this one</a>!</div>
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<br />Part of me wants the 26th June midday to be here already. I know we
still have some intensive training to do and that, in some ways, this is
the most important training we will do. But also, I'm tired of training
- I want to race down the Yukon! </div>
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<span class="watch-title long-title yt-uix-expander-head" dir="ltr" id="eow-title" title="The Yukon River Quest, by Keith Ovenden & Ian Pitchford"> </span></div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-868667136666387985.post-88240331868864380012013-05-03T21:01:00.003+01:002013-05-03T21:01:59.674+01:00Busy ThursdaysThe sun is here as the basin has got busy. After a fibreglass repair that has taken weeks we have fifty back on the water (now 51 shades if blue). She's taking a bit of getting used to again.<br />
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Now its sunny the Basin are running kids sailing lessons on Thursday evenings - it adds to the fun, last week Paul and Will did exercises on the pontoon to give us something to watch as we went past - not sure why but it livened things up.<br />
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This week there were more sailing boats and they had the safety power boat out and were using it to create waves. Now imagine the 2 of us slightly wobbly in the very tippy boat. Then imagine the waves coming at us beam ends on. We survive that and then the waves bounce back of the edges, bigger. <br />
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We paddled and we giggled (ok mainly Sarah) and we kept paddling (and in Sarah's case giggling) and then we did an excellent half roll.<br />
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After attempting to climb back in (a bad idea the boat is kinda fragile and bends) we swam the boat to the steps got back in and as that was the 2nd swim and the waves were staying we swapped to a more stable boat (to be honest a slipper is more like an old town than a IC2). Round and round a few more times. Esther had lead arms this evening but Sarah was nasty and would not let her get out of the boat. They were slow laps but we put the time in.<br />
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One thing we notice now is how cold we get when we stop paddling so wet as well it was a quick dash to the showers<br />
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We're off to France this weekend on a club paddling trip on the Canche - hopefully fun sun and good red wine.Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00674088612637866868noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-868667136666387985.post-265864496489232792013-04-26T23:45:00.002+01:002013-04-26T23:45:37.565+01:00Wye, Wye, Wye, Delilah<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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So on the Yukon there is a decent size rapid - called five finger rapids its a set of rocky outcrops that make 5 channels (the 5 fingers). Four of these offer imminent death, the fifth is runnable and a piccy from the Skagway News shows a voyager going through, like this<br />
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We decided that we needed a bit of rough water paddling and persuaded others at the club that they fancied a trip to the Wye which creates the border of England and Wales.<br />
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Day one we paddled from Ross on Wye solo to our campsite at Symonds Yat East. 15 miles solo, arriving home about 6.5 hours after we set off, at a leisurely pace, against a strong wind all the way.<br />
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There were thoughts of camp cooking in the evening but to be frank the weather was not co-operating and the food in the Saracens Head pub is good. You could tell that its been a good days club canoeing when the conversation just gets bizarre. We played pictionary and solved pandas' infertility problems on only 2 pints each.<br />
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For a change we had more ladies than gents but the club seems to be moving that way<br />
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Sunday morning Esther and I left the group playing on the rapid for the first 2 hours and practised some windy paddling - wind over current was kicking up the kind of waves that every so often filled Ester's lap with water - it was great. We paddled up stream fighting until we could go no further (1.6 miles upstream) before turning around, hitting the really bumpy wavy bit and then doing it all again - we covered about 6 miles in under 2 hours which we are happy with as we were paddling against current half of the time.<br />
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We then donned helmets before heading towards the rapid. Usually I like to stop and play in eddies on the way down but we were on a mission and were aiming to go down keeping the stroke rate up and it seemed to work with us pulling into an eddy at the bottom to have a chat with friends.<br />
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We then practised breaking out and in and ferry gliding as a tandem (I'm a solo whitewater paddler preferring to tip myself in the water). As we worked up the higher parts we slightly lost our ferry angle and straightening out into an s turn caught the edge on the eddy line and were off swimming down river.<br />
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2 lessons from this:<br />
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1. Esther is to keep hold of the boat as on the Yukon you can't hijack Phil and his boat to to and catch up. <br />
2. Always make sure your long line (and not the short one) is on the boat that way you only have to swim yourself and the end of the rope into shore and not keep the whole boat on one arm, the paddle on the other and oops there is no arm to swim with.<br />
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A few more crosses and it was time for lunch and soaked to the skin I called it a day. However we had forgotten about getting the boats back to the centre so in jeans and dry clothes we got all of the unused boats back up the river. After that I wandered along the path and took photos of the others playing on the rapid.<br />
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It was great to combine training with a fun weekend away with friends and there are a few more like it planned.<br />
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SAnonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00674088612637866868noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-868667136666387985.post-86877890579840732202013-04-20T22:59:00.002+01:002013-04-20T22:59:52.367+01:00Sore bottoms, moodiness and excellent snacks!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="text-align: left;">So another week of evening training and what to do for the weekend? On Saturday I went Easter Egg Hunting with friends at Disreli's joint. But Sunday was paddling day. </span></div>
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We had a target of a 30 mile paddle from Windsor to Kew, along the Thames, so caught the train, with the boat in the bag, and after a very short walk were at the riverside assembling the boat. </div>
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<span style="text-align: left;">Then we got the boat down these stairs - that was fun, with a bit of paddling at the bottom.</span><br />
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And we were off heading away from Windsor - it's a shame we didn't get a piccy of the castle - Neither of us checked to see if her madge was at home. <br />
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This stretch is under Heathrow's flight path and we got a good view of the underbelly of many aircraft as they went over.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">It got closer than it looked</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Canoe Rollers at Richmond</td></tr>
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I had my first experience of a floating dock made of many sections of air filled plastic - quite amusing to feel the dock fall away from you as you step onto it. We stopped for a quick consult of the map. As you can see we finally got a sunny day - I spent it in a t-shirt and then paid the price with lobster red arms.<br />
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Instead of portaging we mainly went through the locks and we took the opportunity to have our snacks as we waited for the water to drain out. It was a meatball all round day, although I remain of the view that Esther is adding pasta.<br />
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Now this being a bit of a longer paddle we saw the first instances of moodiness. Esther just stopped talking and was real head down. Now when I'm a bit pooped I start singing - any nonsense but Esther goes really quiet so I decided to take advantage of the quiet!<br />
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Richmond lock is only open for the 2 hours either side of high tide and unfortunately we were a bit too late. It's a long lock and I thought that we would have a long portage, then the man from the PLA pointed us to the canoe rollers so that you just pull the boat down the ramp. A lot easier than the long carry. What I didn't realise is that I would be sitting at the bottom for hours waiting for Esther to go to the loo.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sarah waiting restlessly</td></tr>
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I was a bit restless as all of this sitting in the boat with minimal movement was, to be brief, giving me a slightly numb bum.<br />
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Now I am told that I have ample in built cushioning but I think something may have to be done before the race in terms of padding and obtaining more in built padding is not the answer.<br />
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We arrived at Kew around 7.5 hours after we started, which owing for the loo stop and waiting to go through locks is, we think, quite a respectable time for a 30 mile paddle.<br />
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We then took the boat home, firstly on a double decker bus, then the train (from the station by Kew Gardens) and then Sarah walked in 20 minutes up hill to her house dragging the 24kg boat and with a HUGE bag of kit. That has to be the worst part of the day.<br />
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We'll be posting soon about our exploits on the river Wye.<br />
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SarahUnknownnoreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-868667136666387985.post-66803862575002731032013-04-10T07:44:00.000+01:002013-04-10T07:44:25.444+01:00Of broken boats and meeting fellow crazy peopleSo Easter has been and gone. Dan and I went to Holland to De Kluft recreation centre. It's in the middle of no where and has nots of water.<br />
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We hired a <a href="http://www.dekluft.nl/index.php?/111/2/Hikers'%20Cabin/" target="_blank">Trekkershut</a> and Sarah argued with AirFrance about the fact that paddles are similar dimensions to skis and if you can take skis for free you should be allowed paddles. We had a plan for hiring a canoe, paddling to the shops, stocking up and a good weekends paddling from our hut.<br />
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The weather didn't climb above freezing all weekend - not a problem as the hut was toasty. The canals were frozen every day. Frozen to the point that the ice only broke if you threw a really big stick at them really hard. Powered boats were capable of passing if they had 2 people with large poles breaking the ice in front of the boat. Clearly no canoeing. The friends I had lunch with yesterday said that only I could plan a paddling trip on frozen rivers (thanks ladies) but then I'm not sure that they know anyone else who plans paddling trips.<br />
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-6a81QvK6b3A/UWUJCwSNErI/AAAAAAAAAIA/0nobOWtYsok/s1600/IMGP2846.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-6a81QvK6b3A/UWUJCwSNErI/AAAAAAAAAIA/0nobOWtYsok/s320/IMGP2846.JPG" width="320" /></a>I satisfied myself with cold weather training by going cycling and walking in the snow. It was fun but no canoe<br />
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We did get some boating - this is Dan operating the self service chain ferry across one of the waterways.<br />
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Tuesday we went to paddle as normal. As I got in the boat I noticed water - thought nothing of it as the splashy woman in front had already got in. As we paddled round and round the water was growing and not coming from the splashy woman (that usually hits me before pooling on the bottom of the boat). The more water, the more unstable our tippy IC1 gets so we decided to change boats before the inevitable happened. Turns out we have about a 5 inch gash on the bottom of the boat - not sure how it occurred whilst in storage but its time to learn fibreglass repair.<br />
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Out again in a more solid royalex beast to finish off the evening - we can really get those things moving these days.<br />
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To add to our excitement this week we met one of the guys going for a place in Interserve's non veterans boat. He was on our beginners course which unfortunately for him focuses on kayak (we may have offered a little canoeing help). They have whole PT plans to follow and organised trips to Scotland. Feel quite jealous of the amount that they get organised but at least we won't have 7 smelly boys in a boat with us. Added to that they seem to be skirting the toilet issue which as you have seen here needs dealing with early. 8 people all needing the loo at different times, thats a lot of shore leave. They do, however, have a support team which I am most jealous of.<br />
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Oh well more soon as we are racking up some miles on our training paddles now.<br />
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<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00674088612637866868noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-868667136666387985.post-20272178158139883712013-03-21T21:56:00.000+00:002013-03-21T21:56:05.686+00:00In like a lion and out like a lamb!21st March must be just as cold as in early January! I know this, because after training tonight on my ride home, I realised I couldn't feel my feet to pull them out of the toeclips! Oops.<br />
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But it's almost the end of March and I swear every single Tuesday and Thursday night since 8th Jan has been cold and wet...and 50/50 windy. Saturday paddles are often barmy in comparision. I do hope April realises that it is Spring and that means sun and warmth!!!<br />
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Despite this, some fantastic news from our training, we are paddling smoother and faster. We were in an Old Town tonight as Fifty would not doubt have sent us swimming. Bit of a slower canoe and in Jan it took us an hour to do 8 laps of the basin. Tonight we did 10 laps per hour. That's 5 miles in 1.5 hours with no flow, wind and 8 x 90 degree turns. I should also point out that Sarah had flown back from intensive work in Gibraltar just in time for our training so was a bit tired! Also, I have a sneaking suspicion her back still isn't 100% so her committment right now is really inspiring me to keep my stroke rate up and not be a wimp!<br />
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I am feeling very positive, even though my feet haven't warmed up and my red wine should be replaced by a warm shower. I'm putting it off though as I know from experience, showering while this cold actually hurts as you try and warm up. Positives for the night run down 30 Mile River if we are already used to mild hypothermia!!<br />
<br /><br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-868667136666387985.post-84650746284731787752013-03-17T13:17:00.003+00:002013-03-17T13:17:59.822+00:00Marsport..not as scary as I thought!Being a recreational paddler I never expected to find myself at <a href="http://www.marsport.co.uk/racingindex.aspx" target="_blank">Marsport</a>. For the UK Marathon and sprint canoe/kayak following they know all about it but for the rest of the world and mere mortals it seems to be the home for marathon racing. <br />
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Marsport is positioned in Reading on the banks of the Thames at Dreadnaught Reach, which is where folk paddling in the <a href="http://www.dwrace.org.uk/" target="_blank">Devizes to Westminster canoe</a> race get a hot meal before starting the overnight section of the challenge. It's also where the day support crew swap and handover to the night crew. Having done day support a couple of times I'm used to seeing the field in front of the Waterside Centre covered in mini camps attempting to boil water and make hi-carb meals before their racers come in.<br />
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Saturday morning was much quieter but this is still a technical racing place with lots of serious racing boats about - in for fixing and lots of friendly faces. They design and build there too - clever folk.<br />
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Turns out Paul who coaches sit and switch was fooled (or more likely is the only person who so far has got us right) by our relaxed attitude into initially thinking we were a pair of numpties with no idea. After a while we persuaded him this wasn't the case and we were particularly pleased by the reassurance he seemed to have for us by the end of the session that we were going to have a great time and that the paddling skills were certainly there (slightly reassuring since I've been an L2 coach for 4 years now).<br />
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We played on his canoe ergo (I want one) and then did a few ups and downs on the Thames with me destroying a paddle in the process<br />
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To date our paddling style has really been a tweaked touring style but we have been told now to dab more at the water. Increased stroke rate and dabs raise the boat (lessening friction I guess) and without extra oomph you go faster. To minimise steering you then switch more often. Our typical switch length at the moment has been 1/3 mile and now we are onto twenty max. Now we just need to get to a point where we can estimate so we don't spend 31/2 days counting to twenty. Esther isn't keen on having to call hut every twenty either<br />
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Whilst at Marsport we got us some technical paddles - British made bent shaft by <a href="http://www.streamlyte.com/index.html" target="_blank">Streamlyte </a>which Paul cut down to size and told us how to alter if we need to before shrink wrapping the handle cover on. Look we now look almost professional at this!<br />
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Having got the paddle home and carefully examined it - its technical - almost seems to be the canoe equivalent of a racing wing paddle - I love it. <br />
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After being put through our paces we decided to head for a paddle and the plan was to head down and turn around at Henley (of the Regatta). On this stretch we paddled past the homes of the rich and famous and saw <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Paul_Daniels" target="_blank">Paul Daniels</a> in his garden in a lilac jumper (no sign of the lovely Debbie). I already knew his magic is not that strong anymore as he has previously asked us to help with untying a rope across the inlet to his boathouse.<br />
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However - no stopping us, we looked to see where the next train station was - Marlow - so off we went. From setting off at about 12.45 we arrived in Marlow - 17 miles later - at 16.41 and that includes portaging - a couple of looks at the map to re-plan the route and eating. Ok so there was flow on the river but given we were trialling a new style of paddling I'm happy. <br />
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What this does mean is that our next full Saturday paddle is the thirty mile one. I realise these distances are much smaller than the Yukon but the Thames is a lazy river and whilst you do, in the main, get some push it's not a great deal so there is no way we could cover the same kind of distances. <br />
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Esther relaxing and showing off her un-matching shoe/outfit combo on the train home.Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00674088612637866868noreply@blogger.com8