Tryweryn Trip

13th and 14th October 2001

Report by Paull White

The Team - 4 of Southend's Finest

The trip started before dawn on Saturday Morning, with the journey being broken at Telford for a traditional Breakfast (or in Ray's case two breakfasts - was this a plan for jet propulsion or ensuring additional buoyancy in the boat?).

Arriving at the Tryweryn at midday it was along the riverbank to see what a flow of "10 Cumecs" meant. Walking upstream the distinct lack of plastic on the river was noted then by reuniting a raftee left sitting on a rock whilst the raft carried on, the first rescue of the day was accomplished.

Then it was back to the Centre to sign on (and first contact with the canny lassie for Hexham) with Brian being Number 13 on the 13th - lucky for some.

Off to the top of the river and onto the water. A few ferry glides to warm up then into the Graveyard, eddy hopping as we go. With the first pair running a lot quicker than the second. After completing the Graveyard Tim decided that the pain in his head was greater than the thrill of the river and became photographer rather than complete the decent.

The splat rock came next with Brian & Ray both getting their noses well above the water, however when Ray decided that, after pushing against the rock from under the water that he was not going anywhere the first OBE of the trip occurred with rapid rescue support provided by Brian.

Carrying on down the river, the Ski Jump was enjoyed by all although the line (river right at the bottom) was a bit scrapey. On to the drops above the bridge and the leader decided to break out river right. Following down the first drop I failed to make the first breakout, got in the second but fell out the back so it was straight under Mrs Davis' Bridge. Thought the line was fine as I passed under the bridge but managed to get turned over for the final drop then when starting to feel scraping fingers it was out of the boat to sit at the side by the time rescue arrived (I still have memories of last years OBE in the same place).

Back on the river it was down to the Dog Leg wave for Brian to have a good play then on down to the Haystack for plays all round, all under the lens of Tim. Following getting changed it was back to the canny lass from Hexham (Making someone's day by stating 'You sound just like my Dad') to get directions to Nomad to pick up Les' paddles.

So back to Bala to locate the premises. Taking the turning just after the College not to be found so ask directions again. On into Bala all the way through & back on ourselves by the Lake. Nicely painted building but not the place. Tourist Info Office is here but it's just closed so off to the campsite (just outside of Bala) for the night.

On walking into town Tim finally finds the means of relief, the chemist is open so pills are available. Meanwhile advise from the local constabulary is obtained and the location of Nomad is gained (just around the corner from where we first stopped earlier) Plus a recommendation for the pizzeria (licensed too). Pub, chips, then back to the campsite.

Sunday dawned and following a leisurely breakfast of bacon & egg rolls [Note for future trips: Paul makes good scrambled egg - Ray], the car was packed & it's off to find Nomad down the track (signposted as a footpath) to the River at the end and a single house. Must be something to do with paddling as 'Porridge Man' - somewhat greener than when last seen - is alive & running in a flowerpot outside the door. Following waking the owner by banging on the door, yes we had found the place but would need to return for the paddles, so its back to the centre for another days paddling.

After reacquainting ourselves with the 'lassie from Hexham' it was a quick cuppa whilst watching the raftees surf the Dog Leg Wave it was back to the car to unload the boats.

Tim elects for more photography initially but a play in the bottom (Haystack) wave. Again the river was very quiet, except for the raftees, so starting with the graveyard away we went, 1/2 way through I fail to make the breakout cleanly so start descending in reverse to end up sitting on a wave prior to finding a breakout to sit in. More Splating followed, followed by decent of the Ski Jump & Mrs Davis, I made it this time but hit a rock on trying to get in the breakout further down by Brian (he's not seen me roll so quickly - only bashed me head this time so no problem there)

Then it was incident free, except for the play on the wave down to the bottom where Tim joined us on the water, and it was playtime till we broke for lunch.

Following a brew and the pies we had forgotten to eat on Saturday it was back to the top of the River for the final run down.

Tim followed Brian down the Graveyard only to be overtaken by yours truly 1/2 way down, but we were soon back in order until awaiting upstream of the spat rock for some rafts to pass Tim & I turned round to see Rays boat pinned against the Rock but Ray being assisted ashore be Brian. Not to be beaten by the rock Ray had several more goes sitting with his nose right up the rock and achieving the non-roll dismount.

Carrying on down we sat at the bottom of the Ski Jump to see two Orcas descend (straight through the stopper). The first made the breakout by the race hut the other carried straight on to Mrs Davis. We followed on making the breakout river right following the first drop but Brian then crossed the stream to breakout river left but Tim started running on Under the Bridge. As with me on Saturday Tim ended up out of his boat by the side of the river. Then it was on down for Brian to continue to play on the Dog Leg Wave in front of the centre. Sitting in the eddy here Tim decided to portage down past the fingers and rejoin us on the Haystack. After a short while here Tim & Ray went on to the car, could it also have been for a final converse with the lassie from Hexham? whilst trying for a last successful ride I took 3 or 4 swims.

Exiting from the water just prior to the 'river closing announcement we returned to the car & got the boat loaded just as the precipitation started. Then it was back to Nomad to get the paddles and the journey home down a crowded M1.

Thanks Brian for organising the trip. The rest of you missed a treat.

Paull

Must go back again soon. Thanks Paull for this report, and thanks Tim for the pictures.

Ray