Llandysul weekend – January 2004
My first weekend away with the club that is not the Dart and therefore scary, however thanks to Lisa F, I am assured it will involve rivers I can manage (even if I did have to check out that there would be ample rescuers, cheers Mackey, Dom et al). We set off late-ish on Friday evening thanks to Matt ( not having a sleep this time), I have taken the precaution of driving Mackey- it is in his interest to get me home in one piece, apart from the good company obviously. We arrived at a very plush bunkhouse, where the view is of vertical slalom poles outside the window.
We visited the local hostelry- not in the Good Beer Guide but redeemed by friendly locals asking if I was from “I’m a celebrity, get me out of here”?. Easy enough to get me mixed up with Jordan I thought, Lisa suggested they were thinking more along the lines of Christine Hamilton?
The next day after a late night with the Jordan admirers, I looked out of the window to see the slalom poles have become diagonal and my stomach is not happy. We arrive at a big river (me not ever having seen any BIG rivers) where Dom assures me I need to stay in my boat for the whole trip. (stomach now very unhappy). However once on the water it is not as bad as it looks, just big and bouncy until the last stretch where it becomes narrower and the waves are coming from both sides and right in front of me is Matt NOT in his boat, whereupon I go under and roll back up again! More driven by fear of Dom than a cold swim. Helen then floats past me looking like she is sunbathing in the med (well taught tecnique) and I am thrown Matt’s paddles which I promptly miss. Lisa rescues Helen, Matt rescues himself, bridge rescues Helen’s boat aided by Dom and John, Mackey then rescues Lisa and myself from eddy and lots of throw lines get wet and muddy.
However it was all worthwhile as I am rewarded by top organizer with a lollipop for my first roll and what fun is a trip without some rescuing? We return to the bunkhouse after a shopping trip (for more throw lines). Matt has a sleep which he recovers from faster than a rabbit in car headlights when informed by Helen that everyone else is downstairs watching a video and Nick has informed some of his preference for grade 5s.
The next day the slalom poles are horizontal and Gareth from the bunkhouse has kindly offered to take us for a look at the Sawdde which is a beautiful gorge- if you like walking. So stomach no better than yesterday we set off down a gorge (not walking) where I am meant to follow Lisa’s line down 2 drops only Lisa has disappeared round the corner and down 2 drops so I go anyway and somehow end up at the bottom of them the right way up only to get caught in a branch which was completely avoidable and after some headbanging on rocks decide to get out (Matt is happy anyway). One swim all.
Interesting paddling, much more technical than anything I’ve done before and loads of encouragement from all, we get to the bottom with no further events. A great weekends paddling, excellent company and well organized and led. Thanks to all involved.
Teresa
