A quick brew before the off
Passing a rock sided valley
Viaduct
River Dee
23rd & 24th October 2005
DAY 1
Started the adventure at about 06.00 Friday morning with a drive from Sheffield to Wales. The journey made highly pleasurable by the fact it was in Rob’s EVO 6. Arrived a bit ahead of schedule in Trevor, so had time to scout the planned starting point for the Kayaks. Had a massive breakfast at the B&B where we would be staying later that evening, then took the gear down to the river.
After breaking into a good healthy sweat while pumping up the kayaks, we launched into some gentle water and were on our way. Having heard talk of grade 1, 2 and possibly 3 sections (and not being much of a swimmer) I cautiously followed Rob downstream. The kayak (I was in the two-man) was so stable that I soon gained my confidence and after going through a few grade 1’s felt quite at ease.
At the first sign of a grade 2, I will say I did feel a little uneasy. However, Rob went bobbing through the section and I followed about 20 to 30 yards behind. I figured this would give me a bit of ‘chicken-out’ time if necessary. Once again, the kayaks just seemed to skim over the surface of the waves and no real problems encountered.
During the day the confidence built, and the only times I got a little worried was when being turned sideways after hitting sunken rocks.
BUT – I did decide not to go over the weir when we came to it. I’m sure the kayak would have handled it beautifully, but I felt I had reached my limitation at that point. My mind was racing with all the bad thoughts of what if…….
Rob however, went down the weir with no problem, and enjoyed it so much, he hauled the kayak out and had another couple of goes just for the fun of it.
We won’t say too much about his idea of then paddling back into the turmoil of water at the bottom of the weir. Let’s just say it made him realise the strength of the back-current. Then we had to recover his kayak from 50 yards downstream.
Some lovely scenery made the whole trip extremely enjoyable, but very peaceful at the same time. The rapids just added to the overall experience to give a great balance between tranquillity and exhilaration.
A brilliant day out, ending at one of the most idyllic pubs I have ever been to – The Boat at Erbistock.
A quick brew before the off
Passing a rock sided valley
Viaduct
Rob inspecting the fallen tree (Can you see him?)
Stopped here to add more air to Dave's boat
The best rapid on day 1
Rob basking after completing the 100 mile mark
this season
The Boat at Erbistock
DAY 2
Obviously had too much to drink last night, or maybe just a bad combination. We both woke with headache and general lethargy.
Somehow we were not looking forward to the second outing with the same degree of enthusiasm. After a nice walk around the canal basin and over the aqueduct at Trevor we eventually forced ourselves to get going.
Got a taxi to drop us at the set-in point at Llangollen. Pumped up the kayaks and with a little persuasion from the local water rats set off once more. Straight into some nice rapids this time, and started to feel a little better – though head still feeling light and airy. Completed some lovely sections and passed a very pleasant salmon angler who had his first catch of the season a little earlier in the day – a nice 10 pounder.
At one point looking downstream past some rapids, we noticed a large rock in the middle of the river. No problem, plenty of room to go either left or right. As usual, I opted to follow Rob (I’m no fool – he can go first and I’ll learn by his mistakes). Shot the rapids OK but I noticed Rob was taken very close to the rock, and only managed to clear it with some strong paddling. I was by this time also committed to the run, and found myself strangely attracted toward the rock (well it was awfully good looking). No, basically the whole current of the river seemed to be heading right at it, and paddle as I may, I couldn’t avoid it. Up went the bow at 45 degrees, then the kayak turned sideways on to the rock (still at an angle of 45 degrees) and I was pinned against it. This looked like being the dunking I was dreading. Thanks to the life jacket I knew I wouldn’t be in too much danger but that didn’t ease the feeling of impending doom (and those images in my mind again). At that point I figured my best chance was to clamber onto the rock, haul the kayak over the top and re-launch on the other side. This proved to be quite tricky and took a few minutes to achieve. I’m sure it also provided a good belly laugh for the other salmon angler on the river who was just setting up his tackle – right opposite the rock. No doubt he told his story later in the pub of the incompetent canoeist. Still, no harm done in the end, and I managed to stay dry.
A few more nice grade 2 rapids followed and we even did some of them a few times as they proved to be so much fun.
Eventually came to the final section (back to the bridge at Trevor). We got out and had a look for the best route through – and I can’t say I was that keen on the idea at all. These looked a bit worse, and were probably bordering on a grade 3. At this point I even contemplated hauling out and walking the remainder of the trip – but I pretended to be brave and said I’d give it a go. Rob offered to let me go first, so that if I got into trouble he would be down behind to sort things out. Sorry, but I still figure it’s easier to watch and learn so I opted to follow again – besides, he’d be there to catch me when I came hurtling past (probably minus a kayak).
Anyway, we went for it. A bit bouncy, not much control, both hit a rock but got through unscathed.
SUCCESS, I’d lived through my first weekend kayaking in white water.
Starting out from Llangollen
Easy paddling
A play rapid taken a few times
The final rapid, hard to see the grade 3 bit
End of trip
