Summer Club 2011 - Tuesday 2nd August

Getting the D6, chatting, donning buoyancy aids, practising paddle strokes, carrying the kayaks, putting them on the water, nerves, getting in from the side of the canal, paddling, tears, getting caught in the reeds, laughter,  canal boats going by, raftingup, chatting, getting to the Joker sign on the bridge, smiles, playing tag, splashes, getting out of the kayaks, putting the boats away, getting the D6 home and more chatting, laughter and smiles

Summer Club 2011 - Thursday 28th July

We got our buoyancy aids, paddles and kayaks headed for the canal... On land Dean showed us how to hold and use the paddle and we practised how to use the paddle to move forward and back and to change direction... We got on the canal (probably the hardest bit apart from getting out of the boats again and then we paddled around, tried to avoid the bushes, fishermen and canal boats and when we needed a break had some rest stops where we rafted up and chilled out. For some it was their first time paddling and for others they had been last year and felt more confident this time... but all had a great time and looked forward to doing it again.

Climbing & Kayaking

We went re-visited Mile End Climbing wall where Dean took us and whipped us into shape...with an umbrella which he poked us with if we fell off the wall...then he took us through the whole dangling people from heights on long ropes thing and dropped us from a height in what he likes to call an abseil.

I was very happy with my partner Sarah as she prevented body to ground interface otherwise known as me falling from a height at a rate which would limit my ability to fly. She may have only kept me from falling to stop me landing on her but I like to think that she also had my interests at heart or even did it out of reciprocal altruisim (you scratch my back I'll scratch yours or I'll save u from hitting the ground if you save me)

This day was followed by a day Kayaking - which was not the smartest move for tired arms. We paddled down the canal, avoiding the ducks and swans and trying to avoid the bank. Going in circles seemed pretty popular, maybe because it was so hard to go in a straight line.

And funnily enough we bumped into Dean...well after a phone call to say 'Hey we are at the bottom of your garden' and he came out with Mary to have a chat with us from his garden while we were in our kayaks on the canal...what fun!

And staying in the kayak was nearly as hard as paddling in a straight line...especially for some people...yes Thomas should be in the boat not in the water.