MID-WALES TRIP Oct 2002

Red Van Man Goes To Wales

As this was to be my first ever white water trip and my first trip with SCC I packed every thing that I might need into a couple of bags, strapped the boat on top of the car and set off to meet the others at Kerry's house. Tim turned up in the big red borrowed van with Toby and Luke together with boats and gear already inside. We strapped my boat on top with Tim's and shoved the rest of the gear in the back of the van. Kerry claimed to have cut down on gear for this trip. (Only 2 bags, sleeping bag, 2 pillows etc.)

We all climbed in, Kerry in charge of the radio and I got the maps and off we floated down the A127 in the pouring rain. (Hope Tim could see more of the road than I could) Around the M25 and then the M40/A40 in and out of the downpours in the rush-hour traffic. As we neared Cheltenham we tried phoning Lee with no luck but found our way to the chippy anyway. After generous portions of fish and chips it was back onto the A40 once we had got through town. We got caught out by the poorly signed diversion after Monmouth but nipping thorough the village of Usk got us back on route.

At 11.45 we turned off the A40 at last just before Sennybridge and 5 minutes later we pulled over into a side road in Crai and there on the ground (blown over by the wind) was a sign for the bunkhouse. We piled into the warm and dry and found life in the form of Lee with a beer in his hand. He had driven down with Ray and Andrew and 'The Force' had shown him the way apart from the A40 diversion! After a drink or two we all went to bed as there was still no sign of Les and Cathy. The bunkhouse was warm and carpeted throughout. 10 bunks in one room with a kitchen and dining area and the loo/shower was only just outside. Three double rooms upstairs in the main house.

Ray and I got up at 7am, put the kettle on and waited for Chairman Lee to awake.("nothing to do with the beer drinking, I've been working nights"). A hotspot on the cooker ruined the porridge but it still all got eaten with the bacon rolls. Lunch made, flasks filled, Les and Cathy up and off out we all went for the long trip to the river.

River Wye (Builth Wells to Boughrood)

All change in the car park then the long wait for the drivers to return. No sign of the sandbank above the bridge meant that the water level was high. A youth group set off rafting with 3 boats and another canoe group turned up just as we got on the water. After a short warm-up we set off down river. The river was nice and wide with a sequence of small waves for everyone to play in. All was going well until I somehow managed to fall out at the top of the first real rapid. I came up with boat and paddle but completed the rapid holding the front of Andrew R. boat. (Thank you). Kerry was the next to swim then all was well for the next few MILES.

Confusion rained at 'Hell Hole' and both Kerry and I followed Andrew R. down the right hand side instead of breaking out with the others. Kerry came out part way down, I got to the bottom but fell out trying to get out of Andrew and Kerry's way. Luckily no harm done and we were both soon back in our boats again. At this stage the other canoe group caught up with us, quite a few came out and SCC came to the rescue.

Practised breaking out and in again for the rest of the trip. One more good rapid after 'Hell Hole' where we all got out and took photos of Lee and Luke on a wave. Les went off ahead and wind assisted we were soon at the take-out. We had nearly finished changing in the school car park when the rain started again so in was back in the cars and off to a warm bunkhouse.

Saturday Night

On a sunny summers day it would have been a long walk to the pub but on a wet and windy night we were all going to stay in the nice warm bunkhouse (we had to turn the heating down!). After a tasty curry and homemade cakes from the Rawlinson family everyone enjoyed the pile of children's games found in the corner. Washing up done and the odd beer or two downed and the silly games started as some people headed off to bed. Bottle walking, cardboard box and chair caving all went down well with Andrew R. excelling at the first two and Kerry's hips stopping the last. When it got onto climbing into small holes and passing crossed and uncrossed pens I knew it was time for bed.

Sunday Morning

Awoke to the sound of Luke's alarm and got up only to find that Lee was still asleep. Ray was up but the storm in the night meant there were no electrics for the lights and cooker. I heard movement in the farmhouse so went to tell them that their greenhouse had blown away in the night. Mrs Stockton was not worried and had found us some candles and a double gas cooker so I put the tea on. People were getting up now and regretting the beer and curry combination but Lee put the porridge on and breakfast was nearly done by the time Les smelt the bacon. Kerry did another good job with the roll and then everyone got changed for the short trip to the river. Red van was loaded for the trip home but Lee was going to return to clean up and pack later.

River Usk (Sennybridge to Aberbran Bridge)

The wait in the pub car park was not good. The storm was still blowing, the river looked faster and no one knew if it would be blocked by fallen trees. Lee returned and declared the road to be grade 4 but we were soon all on the water and given a number. Kerry was paired up with Ray and I was with Toby for the day. All day Toby pointed out features and had me breaking out just for the hell of it. (I only missed a couple) I shot straight through some of the bigger waves so that he and Luke could play without having to watch over me. Kerry got caught broadside on a rock in a shallow section and despite someone ploughing into the end of her boat it ended in a 'technical swim'(? ed.). Tim was up front with Lee and the first two natural ledges were inspected from the water and went well. At the 3rd ledge we all got out for a look, the wind nearly blowing us off the bank back into the water. Lee, Tim and I went over the drop river left with both Tim and I having fun with the back tow. The rest, including Lee who went back up, shot river right while Kerry and I found a nice place out of the wind. The sun even came out for about 20 sec.

Only 3 freshly fallen trees were encountered on the river, none of them causing any real danger. A few nice waves on the way to the take-out but I followed Les and Tim and left the play stopper below the bridge to those with more experience. After changing in the farm yard and eating lunch it was back in the vehicles for the long trip back to Essex, in and out of the rain and power cuts.

Thank Yous

• Andrew & Ray for planning, shopping etc.
• Tim, Lee & Cathy for driving
• Everyone for looking after me!

Swim list

Luke 'The tree got in the way'	1
Andrew 'I didn't mean to do that' Piggott	2
Kerry 'Well I am wearing a swimming hat' Harper	3

Andrew Piggott

photos Tim