Wye canoe trip - part 1

It's taking a while to write this, so it's a two parter:

Day 1 glasbury - whitney

Wet, wet, wet. We got dropped and waved off by my bro and niece (who desperately wanted to come with us) after quite a lot of faffage getting everything sorted and squared away we were off. Unfortunately it was pouring rain, but we got on with it and luckily found that this day was actually quite short.. We only stopped for a quick pasty (a bit too late in the day as we were getting cold). Then once we'd arrived at the pub/campsite had a major kerfuffle getting everything from the boat to the campsite and setting up tent, into dry clothes and finally getting a cup of tea.

The campsite itself was pristine. The shower block looked new (not-open 11-4 for 'cleaning') and the grass was lovingly mowed. However, it was smack bang next to the road and even tho we'd booked ahead the lady didn't seem to realize we were coming so didn't open the block for some time. However, it was ok at £7 a head.

Pub less than 50 yrds away (the boat inn), had a few locals when we went in, but these filtered home quite quickly (bank holiday monday remember) so it was just one die-hard local and us in the pub. We had a lovely dinner, monstrous pile of chips and a couple of games of pool before retiring to the tent for some sleep.

Not the most auspicious of starts but we were off!

http://www.endomondo.com/workouts/oF_ajsfmyVo

Day 2 Whitney - Byecross

Porridge for brekky and then another major fuffle to get going. Luckily it was dry-ish in the morning so we got down to the river.. and found it had risen by about 2 ft overnight! It was a whole lot muddier than the day before. Let loading commence... We cracked on and paddled downstream with a bit of cloud brewing, but some sunny spells.



the lunch stop



Lunch was a lovely affair in a cheeky pull over-spot and brewed up for a cup-a-soup which really helped to warm the core! Back in and passed by the Broadbury Scar, before the long stretch to Byecross farm. About 400yrds up-river there was a very nice looking house, landing and a sign saying 'no landing - campsite 1/2mile' oops, clearly a few peeps have made that mistake before!

Byecross farm, orchard campsite

  

It had a muddy bank landing with then some wrought iron steps to get up to the campsite itself. Camping here was £5.50 pp with wood for sale for £3 a bag (we'd taken our own). We had a very quick put-up as there was a shower brewing,, but luckily it was only a short downpour. We were then able to enjoy the orchard, campfire and view of the sunset (and arriving DofE'ers). We then walked the mile into Preston on Wye for a lovely pint and luckily the barman was able to rustle up something for dinner (as the chef was off!), very tasty it was too. We got chatting to the assessor of the DofE group and he gave us a lift back to the campsite.. This place had a much nicer feel, and although the facilities were basic, they also looked new and were being cleaned by the lady when we got there.

campsite steps

http://www.endomondo.com/workouts/jVDrl-V7qvg

Day 3 Byecross - Holme Lacy

From Byecross we came to monnington Falls straight away and had a bit of a wiggle getting down these, but were then off on to what turned out to be the longest day at 20 miles. We had a nice stop just after the weir and again brewed up enjoying the sunshine luckily as someone had dunked a foot in the river ;-).

wet foot competition!

After this it was the long slog into and through Hereford (going past sewage plant - yuck!) and out to the other side. Unfortunately i miss-judged at this point and thought we were closer than we were (so got spirits up a little early) but we paddled on and eventually came to Holme Lacy. It's very much a 'caravan' site, pristine lawns, well marked pitches and shop/cafe on site. All of which was nice, but the price reflected it £18 for the one night and somehow it had no 'soul' as a campsite. Anyway Grace was feeling somewhat shattered at this point but we plodded the 30 mins over to The moon Inn @ Mordiford and had some lovely food, before mooching back to the tent to crash out.

at least a picnic bench..

http://www.endomondo.com/workouts/qWiXYqwGrW8

Canoeing update

The trip was successful and I will write an update (honest) i just need to find some time to do it...

Simple update was : varired weather (well it was the UK in april), good times, some hard work, maxi adventure/exped had.

Worth it - yes!

Even in this little post, I've gotta thank friends mark/amanda who lent the boat. It was a big ask but we looked after it and it performed brilliantly.

Kinder Killer

lives up to the name.. However, it was a crackingly good weekend.

 

Arriving to curry, beer and a chat friday night was brilliant as i'd not seen Don for a bit and we'd been emailing back and forth like mad beforehand. Had a minor gear faff/pack and decided no extra food shop needed. Which meant early-ish to bed, and early-ish to rise the next morning.

 

Bit of a grey day all in all, with stronger winds than i'd expected. However, i persevered with shorts, but sensibly went with a longsleeved top. The day itself is a bit of a blur, hard uphill, better on the flat and down. My nav wasn't as bad as i'd thought, but my stamina was. Lots of DofE groups about lounging and generally being wide loads. Which considering we too were camping that night did seem a bit OTT. But then DofE was/is always like that ;-) I had to borrow a gilet from Don at one point as it got a little chilly. The final descent had us chasing after a chap (blatantly out for his local run, NOT with a 7kg pack on) but that didn't stop us trying to chase him down. I'd have been ok with that, but my stomach was cramping like mad and wasn't quite letting us catch him. Ho hum..

 

Camping was interesting in a tent the size of a small rug. Cooking inside it even more so. Luckily it wasn't raining, but keeping warm was a priority so snuggling up in sleeping bags was the option whilst waiting for food. Then as whilst it was a training weekend it wasn't a full on wild camp we went to the pub for a crafty beer. This gave the full SLMM experience as you can get milk and beer at the overnight camp ;-). It also helped to provide much needed calories for what turned out to be a cold night. Brr

 

Sunday dawned to blue, blue skies and a hard frost, even on the inside of the tent! We lounged outside to warm up like reptiles in the sunshine.

 

Cracking on with the run it was straight up and a bit of a river scramble. Then up top it was hard, hard work thankfully dry, but deep peat riverbeds to cross, run along, get sucked in, loose a shoe to.. Thankfully down off that then along a lovely twisty, technical, narrow path.. We were pounding along this, loving every minute. Untill i misjudged a tree and forgetting that my pack was wider than me! Had a slight pause whilst i soothed my ankle in the stream, then back on it. Pausing on the next ascent and just soaking up the warmth, sounds (or lack there-of) and eating a bit. Contouring round some more until the final ascent (boy that was hard work). Then on down, not running on the really steep bit (knees/quads just saying no!) but then cracking on with the rest of it. Till the sheepfolds marking the start came into view and a final burst of speed got us there under 5 hrs. Wash off in the stream then back to car for chocolate, recovery drinks, onto chips, sleep, more food and the long drive home..

 

Tired now |-)

 

the routes:

day 1

http://www.endomondo.com/workouts/icFHQMNL4gE

day 2

http://www.endomondo.com/workouts/izu-bFINTfI

 

hopefully another weekend to be planned soon.

Kinder killer build up

So for the past couple of weeks there's been a flurry of emails between me and my saunders partner (don) about a training weekend. To get a feel for our fitness levels, running pace, kit required, food needed and further training needed! Well... it's this weekend and Don being based in Sheffield has picked a route called the 'Kinder Killer', no honestly. He's being kind tho, as since we're going to run it, with full packs on (kinda the idea of a saunders training weekend) it'll be over two days with a stop in Edale campsite.

  

So i laid out most of my gear last night and packed it up.. then being sensible took the running kit out and went for a short run at lunchtime today ;-) (3.8miles in 33:40).

 

I can't wait, it's a mixture of excitement and a bit nervy as this'll be a BIG weekend. I can do running 15+miles ok-ish, but carrying a sac full of camping stuff, with some big hills and then doing it all again the next day? Hmmm, i'll try and post up next week, but don't expect anything too coherent!

 

That is of course if i can get fuel for the return trip! Grrr blooming tanker drivers

a quiet weekend - ish

and relax.. friday was round some friends for dinner (and very nice it was too). Followed by a lovely lie in (bliss). The rest of the day was a bit of a garden tidy sorting out a new phone and generally enjoying being outside.

Sunday was where the action was.. We'd both booked in for the Marlow water for life 10k race and set the alarms to get there nice and early. After all there were ~200 peeps in the 10k and 650+ for the half marathon (15 mins earlier). That's a lot of people to get down into marlow! Still it was a cracking day, bit cool to stand around in early on, but once running boy it was HOT! Thank god for a halfway drink.. I was company for wifey and mobile support/cheering team. But she did brilliantly and smashed her last 10k run time, i'm really chuffed! I think she might even be prepared to do another later this year ;-)

Dedication.. last tuesday nights run

It was brilliantly organized, compared to the chiltern one i had a few weeks back, but these guys have clearly had some practice. I might even sign up for next year.

The rest of the afternoon was spent getting some well earned lunch + cake and a further mooch in the garden (but not much). I'm now remembering the need for sunscreen!

Eeek, now this weekend is looming large with a massive 33mile, two day run/exped, saunders training session planned. Yikes!

Recovery

Is something i'm clearly going to have to think about for the SLMM. Perhaps i could request a transplant of new legs for the saturday night on the event???

 

After the long run sunday i suffered most of monday with achy knees and then tues with just general lethargy and sore quads. However, come wed night i had a jaunt out with Wifey doing 4.63 miles in 57 mins. A nice gentle run for me, but one where she discovered eating is a requirement to having the energy to run! I wasn't my normal bouncy self.. which became more apparent for my thurs lunchtime run.. Was out with just one of the lads from work and did the short run 3.4 miles in 32 mins. Had a really tight calf during most of this and probably would have suffered if i'd been out by myself. Equally i'd probably have been pushing myself more, as it was a fairly easy paced run.

 

Luckily had yoga last night to stretch out and try and get everything back in order so am feeling vaguely good again this morning. Dinner out with friends tonight and then 10k race (with wifey) at the weekend!

mammoth weekend

After my post from friday things have been busy (again). Thankfully friday night it was a quiet one which meant i could see my wife.. although that didn't work too well as i was shattered so in bed by 10! However, it was an early ish start sat and off to the draw. I managed to draw 4th which help our conductor get away to Newcastle, but not before we played. From a band perspective it didn't sound like our best performance, but it was still solid. We then had an interminably long wait after, but it was good to chat to some of the band as there's not always opportunity. Anyway come results and 4th, 3rd, 2nd are all announced. With a suitable pause........ Amersham band came first! An outright win and the judge even said that we were head and shoulders above the rest (no not the shampoo). So fantastic news, we're promoted to the 3rd section and are off to Cheltenham for the national finals in Sept.

 

I was quite tired after this so got home to pizza and was back in bed by 10! But there was a reason..

 

I'd planned a run with Dan (peak MMM partner) over near Wallingford. It was an early ish start to be over there for 9am and it was bloomin foggy. However, it soon burnt off and heated up a bit so we enjoyed a run along the Ridgeway, down the Thames and back up Icknield way to the cars. Having covered ~12 miles in 2 hrs we both still felt good and luckily I'd planned an additional loop if we wanted it. This took in some more hills and added on about 5 miles in a further hour. Which sure felt like it at the time. All in all it was 17.37 miles in 3:03.

http://www.endomondo.com/workouts/miAlEzSZYfw

 

It sounds like we both suffered from a post exercise low from this and i've got a fair share of aches and pains to contend with but it's a perfect bit of training for the SLMM in july!