After moving to Cumbria in the last quarter of 2007, I invited the very best of paddlers round between Christmas and New Year's Eve. We spent a few days exploring just a little of what Cumbria had to offer. I don't think we've even scratched the surface of what there is round these parts - but we had a great time trying!
On the 28th we kicked off with a nice run down the River Calder. Given the huge amounts of rain in the preceding days this proved a good section of grade 3 river - not too testing, but a nice start to the trip.
I'm a strong believer in giving praise where it's due - so it has to be said that the Gentleman at Thornholme Farm is a legend - not only was he more than welcoming whilst we occupied a good section of his track, but he also gave us a throwline that he had recently found. Given the small nature of the boating community, it turned out we knew the owner!
After blasting down the Calder, we jumped back in the motors and headed towards the River Duddon on Corney Fell. Here we completed the middle section which was of a higher level than usual (about half a paddle) and faster flowing as a result. John Wood led the way down Jill's Folly - a cracking little drop (two metres or so perhaps).
On the 29th we were joined by Frances Pratt who had just taken up paddling in September. As Frances had been on a few river trips we figured a grade 3 river would prove to be an appropriate challenge and so we ventured to Keswick for the Greta. This is an 8km section of grade 3 river that has a long standing access agreement with other communities - perhaps providing evidence that sometimes voluntary agreements can work..... As a result of all the water, this section was absolutely steaming - meaning not much in the way of eddies. Hindsight is a wonderful thing; we should have thought this through some more as John Wood and I ended up chaseboating for a good half of the section. It's funny how situations like solo boating and chase boating can improve your performance!
The evening proved to be a big night as we were joined by friends from both County Durham and the Lake District. One of the outcomes of this night was the suggestion that posting 57 brussel sprouts to each house on a very long street would be hilarious - we will have to see....
The final morning for my boating was to see a nice and relaxing bash down the River Brathey. This was a bit of a trip down memory lane for me being the first river I ever did.
Anyway, it was a great trip with good people and good laughs - same again next year? I certainly hope so! I would write more, but tomorrow I'll be dressed up as Tarzan to see in the new year - cheerio!