DART TRIP 8/9th Dec 2007

The I think we’re going to need a bigger boat trip

Another dart trip, I left work at around 7.30pm and started to make my way to the M25 ,M3 on to the A303 ,A38 to the Tavistock inn to meet the club having a beer or two at around 10 past 11pm. Not bad going I must say. Looks like it had been raining so would probably be a good trip. I deposited my foreign notes up behind the bar as a small memento of use being there. After the usual beer and antics decided to go to bed at around 3am.

Saturday

Up in the morning porridge and bacon butties before changing in the bunk house to save the faff at the get in at New Bridge. Car park at the get in was packed full with paddlers cars due to the rain, we looked at the water level and it was over the usual get in ledge and through all three arches this is high ,many times we have come to the dart and it has been low water this is the highest I have seen it for fifteen years of coming on dart trips, but soon to be amazed again when it rose again during the day too up to the first step.

We got kitted up and had a briefing then started paddling, the white bits were big and even bigger wave trains. At the usual rapids washing machine you could take the left shoot that I have never seen before but we opted for the usual line unfortunately we had a roll from Frosty and a swim from John, brave try. Further down chaos reigned with other paddlers not from our club swimming, I did feel obliged to help but it seemed a lot of swimmers. After the washing machine and more wave trains most of the river was in the trees and the barbed wire fences were also an obstacle in the water now. Lovers leap proved easy but still good fun but watch the cushion at the end. Further down still carnage from other groups and some club is wanting to place a young female in the water again with a line across the whole river (snag hazard me thinks) just to get her to her boat, along I come and paddle over, have a word and tow with shoulder sling her boat to her; much easier.

Triple step became one step but with a tree in it, which was easier to see on the Sunday as the water level dropped. Again a few swimmers at this point (Joe and Wyn) a paddle lost on this bit and more boat chasing. Steve losing his boat again some kind fellows hid it away for him isn’t that nice, then easy down to the Spindryer which was spinning well. So I had to go into it for old time’s sake. We now got off the river at the old get out at Holne Bridge where we waited for the mini bus and trailer provided to take us back up to the top for a second run.

The water level now rose again to just lapping the last step so a small team of RM,WP,PW,TD,AR, and me went for a second run at higher level which still proved fun as poor Paul tried to roll after the Lovers leap (up to this point we was 14 mins into the run) with Wilem at his side but couldn’t roll with Wilem a little close so Paul had a long swim but this time we where helped by another club/kayaker so faith in others had returned. After getting Paul and all his kit out and saying thanks to our fellow friends. I saw Chessy and the Pyhranna team on the river, he said someone had had a little epic on the Erme so it was fun all around. Next to dive in was Wilem at the spot now known as Single falls as there was so much water around, he left his paddles behind never to be seen again and so walked back without his paddles. But again a cracking run in 48mins with 2 swims/rescues.

Back to the bunkhouse all the fun and games and stories as usual you need to come on a club trip to experience it.

Dinner was spicy soup to start followed by pork chop, roast potatoes and roasted seasonal veg (Brussel sprouts as well yum); dessert poached pear in red wine with almonds and cloves. Well done to all who chopped, peeled, cooked and tided up. And off to the pub to discuss the day’s paddling and the grading of it, not so late tonight into bed at 1am.

Sunday

it’s been rain on and off all night, a few worried looks in the morning as to what the river is going to be like. Again bacon buttuies and porridge for breakfast, change in the bunkhouse then to the get in. the water level was lower than Sat am but still worth paddling not every body got on so the brave few paddled. Not so many swimmers this time, a little more controlled good fun from all. As the radiators were not working in the bunk house we got it at half price, can’t be bad.

Road up to pounds gate flooded across and back to the A38 and along the M5 on the way home

The Players