Tees Trip

9th to 11th November 2001

Report by Paull White

Five Go North in a Big Red Van

Starting on Friday evening, Two Kendos & a Big red Magic Bat go to the back of the Big Red Van a Bright Blue Crossfire and Willems light blue 'Queen Mary' go on the top then with the instructions; turn left at Scotch Corner it's off on our first trip to the Tees. We arrived, past the remains of Snow on the sides of the road, last but to find most people still drinking & talking in the main lounge area of the Centre.

Saturday dawned and breakfast called, Ray doing the organising bit split the group into 3 groups of 5 for the descent then it was off to the get in with a stop along the way to look at the water level, were we really going to do that?

First order of business in the car park was to present Chairman Chunda with the PAXO Award for his swim in the Alps.

Following the return of the shuttle drivers it was; start down the river, 15 boats but 16 people (Ben walking beside the river and carrying the car keys), bumping through the shallower places before stopping to check the route through the staircase (this was the feature we had seen from the road) With rescue set up and after watching a couple of people descend it was back to the boats to have a go. No problems except for a swim for Willem but having swum he was straight back up to the top to have another go, as we all collect ready to carry on where had Brian's paddles gone?

Once found it was on down the river over more moving water with boulders much in evidence and a swim for Kenny just above Low Force. Having great difficulty exiting his boat Kenny decides to pass his boat to Ben and observe. Some do the small drop above Low Force but everyone takes the big drop. Kenny is taking photos then walks on down the river.

Off we proceed again through the bump & scrape to the final feature where all descend successfully although a senior member of the club did roll. The final leg to the get out was a gentle drift to a small wave under a bridge then it was just the four mile walk across the fields to reach the cars. But where was Kenny with the car keys?

At least the Sun was shinning for it was 'hours' before Kenny was found (by Candy) having walked almost back to Middleton

Back at the Hudeway Centre for tea Scones and cakes (Thank you to Marilyn - and for the flapjack too which came out latter). Ray informs that the Chippy opens at 5.00 (He had arrived the previous night at 9.34 - and the chippy shut at 9.30 so was determined not to miss his portion). So it was off to Middleton and after having to await the Pubs to open it was in the Bar for the evening, after having walked arround the town there's not much else to do.

Sunday started much the same but Kenny wasn't paddling this time & Tim had decided to play photographer, so Ben could have his boat all the way down. On return from the shuttle the drivers discovered that all RPMs had taken to the trees, Pete though not driving, had been absent looking at High Force from the road.

The staircase was again the first obstacle with Ray the first casualty, his technical expertise of Saturday's run being replaced by the most entertaining run (so far), exiting his boat in the pool above the penultimate drop. For this feature Ben borrowed Brian's boat and managed to exit the boat just as it was pinned above the penultimate drop, it was a further hour before the boat could be extricated, and then not without the use of two fence posts as crow bars and a lot of pulling on linked throw lines.

Low Force provided the next challenge; with all those wishing to making the drop, Helen again descended far enough beneath the water to reappear only after a noticeable period, it must be a Kendo thing; just that black ones return to the surface with much greater skill. Les was the last to make the drop and came over in reverse.

That next drop caused a further roll to the same senior member of the club, and on the final small drop there was Richard taking piccies as we splatted down.

In the car park after it was an inspection of Brian's Boat; damage to the boat limited to a broken grab loop. Plus a couple of snapped throw lines and noticeable damage to Lee & Richards digits. Then it was a bit of Birthday cake before us in the big red van headed off (most of the others were returning to the Centre prior to heading off).

The journey home was uneventful until the heating stopped & the temperature gauge soared. Stopping at the next roundabout, we evacuated the van as is filled with steam (do I recall a homeward journey from the dart?) Wait till it cools top up with water and away we go - not far though the heat going up again. Another pit stop and a bit of tinkering under Willem's guidance then return to the road Still problems so is a call to the AA & two hours later the big yellow taxi arrives to take us home.

Waking up as we exit the M25 onto the A127 we've made good time and it was home to Tim's (to awaken all his neighbors) by 11:30.

It was a good weekend even with the journey home - at least it saved on the petrol money, but a 'blown head gasket' was not good news for Tim's father-in-law he'd only bought the van three weeks ago.

Thanks Ray for organising the trip.

Paull

Thanks Tim for the pictures.