A very successful first trip off the lake!
[smartslider3 slider=6]After an early start to the weekend we turned up at the riverside inn, slightly nervous but looking forward to the day ahead.
Once all of the boats were carried down to the launching area and cars were shuttled, it was time to get on! (Only after realising that we weren’t going to find a toilet half way down the river, and having to race into the pub before we left!) Getting onto the river was far trickier than first anticipated, and lots of bum shuffling along the mud was needed in order to find a suitable place to get in. We even had to use a piece of old rope to swing ourselves along the edge of the bank.
Eventually, after we all managed to ‘gracefully’ get in, it was time to set off at the scheduled time of 11 o’clock. Martin looked very pleased about this! We had a mini meeting about the plan for the day whilst attempting not to float away.
It was lovely paddling along the river, taking in the views and having a conversation with everyone along the way. Although we don’t think we quite have the knack of being able to paddle in a straight line and make conversation at the same time yet! (We have, however, mastered going in the perfect circle, accidently, on purpose).
Quick stop off for lunch was taken, where we were reenergised, mainly with wine gums (because one of us managed to forget lunch), and we were back on the river, an hour ahead of schedule! Very surprising, as we thought we’d slow the group down on our first trip.
After another hour of paddling we passed through the beautiful Ironbridge, and arrived at Jackfield rapids. After somehow climbing up over what seemed like a steep edge of the river, over some slippy rocks, we had a look at the rapids, and our hearts were in our mouths. It looked very scary for us as beginners. There was even a point where we questioned if it was a good idea to attempt risking it. But we decided that we would brave it, and give it a go. Very surprisingly, we both managed to go down it without getting wet, although Rhian didn’t take a breath all the way down from concentrating that hard! Beka was definitely prepared to take a swim, and was rehearsing Martin, and Nikki’s instructions of keeping her feet up, and swimming when they shouted (just in case). After playing around in the rapids for a while, Rhian decided she’d done enough for one day, but Beka was daft enough to take on the rapids again, successfully travelling down a second time, and thankfully avoiding taking a swim.
Once everyone had finished playing around, and we somehow managed to shuffle out of wetsuits into jeans in the car (easier said than done), we decided it was time for a well deserved trip to the pub for a glass of wine and food, before the hour long journey home.
Thank you to everyone who made our first trip so enjoyable, and for taking boats so we didn’t have to swim the Severn, we look forward to the next one!
Rhian and Beka