DART TRIP Feb 2002

Ben, Ray, Andrew, Lee, Caroline, Colin, Kerry, Phil, Brian, Pete, Tim, Les + Kathy, Richard + Pauline, Willem + family

Ben was first in the bunkhouse Friday and lit the fire followed by Ray, Andrew and then myself. Soup was made by the Rawlinson's while I got the beers in. The Rayleigh posse was next with the lads in the green people carrier last after finding another pub for last orders. Beer and tea was drunk, the Rawlinson's soup was slurped 'til the small hours of the morning by then Pete had a nick name - Pyro Pete for obvious reasons.

Early start to Saturday morning with myself up just before 7am followed by Ray and slowly by the rest of the club, it's funny how wine effects some people in the morning. After a good helping of porridge and bacon rolls it's off to meet up with Les+Cathy to do some paddling / swimming.

By 10am we were all on the river with the water just below the ledge and the sun shinning, the water was full of plastic (lots of boats around). It wasn't too long before some one started to act like an - fish no names you know who you are.

The river had plenty of waves to surf and SCC tried to get on all of them, a few of us crazy fools did the 10-15 foot rock slide (Phil you don't have to do every thing Brian does). Next up the Washing Machine which was shot on the left rumours tell me a fish was spotted below this covered in paddling kit (don't worry I've swum there too). A few of us played in it but very sheepishly (oh did I say sheep). Then off to Lovers leap for some (no not that kind) breakout practice and at the bottom for some splats on the rock wall. Moving swiftly down to the Looping pool where the RPMs got well stuck into it pulling off some good pop outs, it's funny when your stern is near the hole people shout backwards and then watch you roll with a cold head to finish. The Spin dryer wasn't drying much so to the get out past the Dart web cam into warm showers for some of us and the meeting of our chairman and his good lady Pauline at the Dart training centre carpark. All back to the bunk house for tea, soup and dinner and a few jars up the pub that's such a long crawl away. PS Saturday's Paxo award went to Kerry for her gracious swimming technique. Willem joined us just in time to sink a few glasses of ale before our departure (Richard don't you drink a lot must be that big stomach of yours Ed). And off to bed for another early start Sunday.

Well all up at 8am Sunday for the full SSC breakfast (same again) and off to do the Dart again with the water a little lower than Saturday now the full team with us. The river stunts much as Saturday, but with a bit of boat moving whilst answering nature's call. Willem did a nice throw of his paddle over a tree I had to have a go and my paddle got stuck to the amusement of the rest of the club. Further down a swim again for someone and back down to the get out for some warm dry kit. Back to the bunkhouse and I, Lee gained the Paxo award for paddle hanging tricks but Monday is another day.

We said goodbye to the Rayleigh clan and Ben, so there were now 9 to paddle the upper tomorrow so the last supper of chilli and rice and a few beers was taken on board.

Monday not up too early, a little lie in, 9am the same SCC breakfast and a few worried faces and one funny tummy Pyro Pete. Met with the others at 10 to start the upper Dart at Dartmeet with Tim as photographer. In order of passage Richard, Brian, Willem, Andrew, Pete, Ray, Les, Phil and myself Lee, the day was slightly chilled but no wind or rain. It's difficult to describe the river as it is so full of good paddling water with lots of tight technical turns for some people. The scenery is lovely with one place in particular being a right hand bend and you don't see the the river drop, it's wide at this point and as you get closer to the drop it is a weir shaped rock slide. But the treat is if you look back you see the large lonely house up high on the very steep hilltop, fantastic you have to be here to appreciate it. We all done really well then came EUTHANASIA FALLS which is run over a sloping rock shelf into a diagonal stopper and cushion wave with a left hand bend at the end all in a channel of three feet wide, great fun. With lines and people at the ready we set off and done it- well (Richard and myself). We all set off again and a little way down and it got a bit more technical and I thought shouldn't we have a look Richard? When we came together in the pool below the slot Pete, Ray and Willem were fishing, quickly back in your boats before Tim takes photos. Moving on a little further down and again poor Ray and Willem found the rock in the centre of the river that could tip a boat and man over. No more swimming lads and that was true we came to the end at New Bridge funny how nobody wanted to do the Loop section now. We all returned to the bunk house for tea, scones and the awarding of the Paxo trophy more exciting than the BAFTA'S any day well after much discussion the award went to our international star Willem well done. Phew said Ray, and so departed for Essex leaving Richard and Pauline to explore the rest of the life in Devon. Good weekend had by all I think.

A few words of wisdom have come out of the trip.

• Willem cut a bit off the ends of your boat and it will make it easier on those turns.
• Richard maybe it might be worth getting out a bit (but get some shoes first).
• Lee don't throw your paddles in a tree it's not big or clever (but quite funny-Ed).
• Brian nice to see you are up for anything including big rock slides.
• Phil you don't have to do everything Brian does.
• Kerry roll it's a lot warmer.
• Les did you see yourself on the dart web cam? Well you were there for a long time.
• Caroline don't be scared you've got ex Shaun Baker to help you.
• Ray and Andrew lovely soup and you can't have too many spoons.
• Colin how could you suffer a whole car journey and back with two women nattering on brave man.
• Peter a little less beer and put some more wood on the fire.
• Tim the bloke who can make any thing out of wood and a Swiss army knife.

LOOPING POOL LEE

photos Kerry and Tim