Dart Trip

3rd & 4th February

Although I didn't strictly speaking go on this trip I was there with, ...er, never mind. Here's what happened:

I spotted familiar paddling kit at the car park at New Bridge on Saturday morning. It's owners; the esteemed members of Southend Canoe Club were surprised to see me already there with some very strange looking individuals I had picked up on my travels. Could these be students? No. It was too early in the morning for students. Naturally the Southend shuttle was much more efficient than my lot so I followed on behind.

The washing machine? Good. Line on the left, one cross each. This year's lemming award goes to Exeter University, who managed a stunning five swimmers out of a possible seven at the washing machine, right in front of Colin. Colin did the honourable thing but was not amused. I suggested rescue beers but apparently they hadn't heard of rescue beers, and in any case Colin didn't seem too keen.

We met up again at triple falls where due to the high river level there was a nice little play hole. Nice, that is, until a certain group of students with their friendly local senior instructor decided it would be a good place for throwline practice. Nothing to do with me - honest.

Afterwards Dr Matt and I were invited back to the palatial bunkhouse that Lee had booked at Poundsgate, for tea and scones.

Sunday...

I don't know what to say really. The level was a bit higher. Possibly higher than the first time we did it back in 1995 on amber flood alert. We paddled the river. Some fool drove into the back of Ray's car. (It was stationary with Sarah inside it, but no one was hurt). I went for tea at the Dobson's. You lot went home, and we all lived happily ever after...

Except Ray, but it wasn't really his car anyway.

Andrew