Well, I broke my paddle on the Crake the other week, real bummer! Left me to use the old playboating paddles on a quick night blast of the Leven with Mr Josh and Poke. Blimey it was good. Your senses come into their own. It's fantastic edging the boat and boofing over the lip in to Backbarrow. The hotel lights give you a nice big pool to land in. After the big weir you're back in to the dark world of you and your senses. I highly recommend it to anyone. The Kent  in particular is good fun in the dark, especially the finale. The only rules are; there are no rules, just make sure you have done it in daylight before hand!

Back on the subject of gear, a bonus really. I found a Dagger Redline on the Lune at Lincolns Inn Bridge on Monday. Any one who's lost it, give us a shout.

Oh, and the problem of my bust blades has been resolved. Some sweet things are coming in from WCK, can't wait, 'till then its back to the spares.

Cheers

With not much rain falling over night in the lakes over night we met up at Mommas food company. The rain radar had showed there had been rain up near Carlisle and the borders. A quick decision was made and Louis picked the Irthing. We shot up the M6 superhighway, and with great navigation from the guidebook and roadsigns we turned up at Gilsland.

The river here was a healthy brown colour, so we headed up to the firing range of RAF Spadeadam. Fortunately the red flag wasnt flying! A short wet walk from the layby Crammel Linn came in to view, it went quiet for a while as we scouted the falls. Decisions were made and back to the motors to get some gear.

4 giddy paddlers, headed over the moor to the fall. We all agreed on the same line a nice little drop on to a platform the paddle of the edge, easy! Louis fired off beautifully a big boof saw him clear the fall and paddle away with a big whoop. Steve Ed charged off and came out smiling. Kris and I were left at the top along with our nerves. Kris went off well and rolled at the bottom. I couldn't see him from the top but watching the others on the bank below you could tell there was a slight pause of hearts as his first roll didn't work.

I was left up there on my own, all the bravery evaporated, and my nerves started to kick in. My legs turned to jelly as I walked back to the boat, my stomach was a tight ball. As I  put my deck on I gave myself a good talking to and paddled in to the flow. A nice flick on to the platform, a correction stroke then WUMPF off the edge.

I rolled up and paddled away with a fantastic feeling of euphoria.

If you look carefully I'm in there somewhere!

We all really flew and were buzzing. The rest of the river to Gisland was good and continuous. Back home to tea and medals. Cheers to Bob and Jaime for taking the photos.

Cheers

All week at work it had rained, warming up for a good paddling weekend. Saturday; The weather cleared up for a quick wobbly blast down the Kent in the playboats, with everyone groaning about how the big boats are much more comfortable! So a remedy was needed. Saturday evening in to Sunday more rain and drizzle fell from the sky. The upper esk was suggested by Kris, having never done it before I agreed.

I knew there was a big walk in but was not quite sure how big, all I can say is its further than it looks.

Two keen runners, a mountain guide, and Ned! sweated up the Esk valley to the falls which drain Great Moss. I was unsure what I was letting myself in for but hey what's the worst that could happen.

We got up to the falls and did the usual scratcing of chins proceeded a remedy indeed from Saturday's activity.  It looked a bit boney in parts but we ran the opening slides up to an interesting drop.

Stu Miller on the first slide.

Me  on the first slide.

Mr Miller

Ned leading the way.

To an interesting hoizon line.

The interesting drop proved to be a test of my metal, Ned lead the way and styled it up nicely, I on the other hand decided to practice rolling in the half-way pool. Of all the places in the world it was not the place for tomfoolery, however it worked and the rest of the drop and following gorge went well.

  As if i hadn't had enough adrenaline!

After the gorge a quick portage round a rocky slide was another demanding drop Ned went first and hit hit well. I lost my bottle and left it for another day.

After this drop there was more chutes and slides including Kail pot, and Heron pot which rounded off a fantastic trip.

Until the next time I will have to find some bigger balls! Oh and practice on tight narly entrances.

Cheers to Kris for the suggestion otherwise another playboat run will have had to been endured on the Kent!

That's all 'till next weekend!

Oh yes Josh has officially joined the funny coloured boat club! Dan sorted his blimp out. So here is a few photos from the past month to keep us going till the next big water.  

 Some folk have great rivers on the door step! Cheers