Back in February, Matt Shipp and I managed to paddle a section of water that we had been meaning to do for a while. We joined Mark and Heather Rainsley on a descent of the East Lyn. Mark assured us that the water level was appropraite for the first time down, and I have to agree, it was an excellent paddle and well worth the long drive over.
The main trip of the year so far, happened over the Easter Break. Matt Shipp, Becca Ward and I flew out of Bristol airport to Toulouse, with the usual looks of surprise from other travellers and check-in staff when they noticed us moving around 3 loaded creek boats. On arrival, we picked up our hire car and headed down to the Spanish Pyrennes, before heading back to the Gorge Du Tarn area of the Central Massif.
Over the course of the 10 days, we paddled a whole range of different rivers, from pleasant warm up grade 2/3 runs to full on continuous grade 4/4+ rivers. We had the full range of weather, with day time temperatures from -1 to 23 degrees Celsius.
On arrival back in the UK, a copy of my first book ‘Climbing Games’ was waiting for me on the door step. This project has been published through a company mainly associated with Paddlesport, Pesda Press.
Then it was back to the usual grind of working at School, running my business and on occasion helping my partner Becca train for her various Canoe Polo competitions. Of which she is currently in the middle of the early summer national and international events.
