Tryweryn Trip
2nd-3rd April 2005
THE WHY ARE MY NUMBER 2’s RED TRIP?*
Persons involved:
Well it was a Friday in April 2005 in fact yes it was the 1st, April Fools day I should have known. In the adult’s car was myself in the steering position with Ray and Andrew as passengers. Before starting on the ride up to North Wales Ray delivered one more car to Luton leaving Andrew and myself to the culinary delights of Ray’s wife Marilyn with a bowl of pasta bolognase and tea. THANK YOU Marilyn. We set off just before 8pm and legged it up the M1, M6, M54 and on to the A5 to the lovely town of Llangollen. We stopped off and had kebab and chips at 11pm before diving the last 20 miles to the bunk house. I believe some of the others had the curry in the town did you suffer for it?
We reached the bunkhouse Tyddyn-bychan without looking at the map; OK just a peek to see how it was spelt on the gatepost.
All the rest of the gang was there amid the remains of a boozy evening; if you can’t beat ‘em join ‘em that’s what I say, so I did. After the fun and frolics of the usual club antics we found out that Kerry’s (trip organiser) friends (yes she does have one or two), the antenatal group who were going rafting couldn’t come along due to personal problems. Unfortunately the food had been bought on Thursday so we now had a little more food to eat. Kerry decided to put cold cross buns in to the toaster as they warmed up they decided to burn. In my hero way I decided to take them out quickly with the aid of a metal knife but before you could say “is that a good idea Lee?” the lights went out all over the bunkhouse and farm. Oops! We looked for the fuse box to no avail, so time for bed.
The morning was bright in Wales as Steve found the fuse box and turn the power back on. Breakfast was the usual club porridge, 2 lots; Steve did you burn the first one? YES maybe we will do it in the microwave tomorrow (more dangerous appliances) and of course bacon sandwiches. We headed off to the Canolfan Tryweryn white water centre 20 miles away. “Nice to be back in the hills” as said by another famous canoeist who was in the club. At the centre paid our dues £7 for BCU member £14 for non-members you do get something besides a magazine for your subs. Used the loos like normal and changed in the car park like normal and headed off to the top of the course just below the strainer.
We get on the water with the rafts some used the slide method others the normal way still achieving the same thing. After a short time eddy hopping we came to the Graveyard section of the course, which is a little bigger than the rest and more than some have done before. The white foam put a few people off their strokes and the inevitable happened a first fishing of the day, sorry Justin the roll you did before must have put you off. All kit re-gathered including wet suit boot and back in the kayak for another paddle down. Next on to the ski ramp Toby showing off his skills in the top wave but all executing the rapid well. Onto the next bit at just under Mrs Davies’ Bridge, which caused fun, a swim from Kerry and a bloody good roll from Justin, well done. Kerry turn that ejector seat off please. After collecting up kit and continuing the paddle no further epics occurred. So we decided to have a cup of tea and pasties and lunch time antics helping Elliott (raft guide) with a stricken rafter that hurt his elbow. SCC to the rescue again (now does that make it worse or better I will let you decide).
After all that we went and did it all again, two team members decided to omit the top section and join us on the lower section of the river. We carried on to the bottom section to the town of Bala via grade 2/3 and Bala falls grade 4? With a signpost saying you are entering a real river that is new to us. With a few epics and a bridge with scaffolding under it to contend with. Toby with myself in front looking out for Bala falls soon came across it we told all to alight to the side, one member Ray decided to have a closer look from his boat.
The rapid has two tiers with a few rocks and an over hanging tree to mark, a grabby little stopper river left and lots of beery foam. After looking at the best line down and escorting the others walking round. The brave/silly souls took on the challenge Richard blind probing, Becky next Steve had an interesting line of finding all the rocks he could but made it OK Andrew and Peter and me OK. Last was Ray that now had second thoughts not for long, he broke out at the top looking for a good line down this ferocious rapid, executed the first tier and broke out in the middle flash sod (or luck if you saw his face you would know which) finally executed the last tier perfect 10 out of 10. We carried on down to the car park to change what a lovely day and what a lovely river GOOD DAY HAD BY ALL one question why had we not done that little gem before?
Back to the bunkhouse and tea and beer and culinary delights of Mr Moore, lots of choppy choppy and peeling went on. Beetroot soup to start wham fantastic! Chicken pasta with mushroom sauce (plenty of that going round) with chocolate mousse and home made biscuits to finish off. Well done Richard you now have that Michelin star you have always wanted. After copious amounts of alcohol and NO hot cross buns to turn the lights out we retired to bed a little earlier than last night 1 am I think. We woke to microwaved porridge and bacon rolls thanks to Steve. We tided up the place and headed back to the white water centre to buy the daily ticket and to use the loos. Why was my poo red?
We got on at the top, Elliott was there with his new rafters we told them to ask Elliott what happened to his last punter, I think this didn’t go down too well. We got on to the water Justin decide to take the Sunday off and record our doings with Toby’s video camera whilst drinking his cider from the bottle. The Graveyard proved able to take another victim, Kerry turn that seat off please. So now it was seven on the water up to our usual things, ski ramp proved fun for some folk and after the first run of the day some decided to take a second run down. With the only epic a swim from Steve at Mrs Davies’ Bridge, with the usual paddle getting lodged but when a hand gets to it curiously it becomes free. Lots of surfing and playing a full 180 spin by Peter, O what do I do next all on film. Plenty of play at Scaffold Bridge by Richard, Toby and Peter all on camera you vultures.
We finished the day with tea and pasties and cider. after leaving at around 3pm got back to Essex at 7.30pm. Good weekend had by all, I really enjoyed myself, so much so I wrote this report.
Thanks to Kerry Harper for organising the trip,Richard Moore for doing the cooking and Toby Dando for sorting out a DVD of the trip.
Looping pool Lee Emmett
Answer: You ate beetroot soup the night before, nothing wrong with your digestive system.