North Wales Weekend, 2-3 April 2016
Paddlers: Adam, Ali, Bill,
Brian, Jamie, Keith, Rob, Trevor C, Trevor Q
In attendance: Amy,
Chucky
After a week of dry weather our prayers were answered by the
rain gods and Snowdonia’s rivers beckoned. Proceedings began with the
obligatory coffee and breakfast stop at Dobbies, with Bill’s 12 inch hearty Italian
sausage attracting the usual sniggers...
Rivers were rising as we headed for a rendezvous with Shrewsbury pals Brian
and Amy at Cobden’s. The rain was still falling and the Llugwy looked a little
stout for the group so a retreat to the Middle Conwy was agreed, with a
mini-diversion to drop the still-injured Chucky off at the Fairy Glen to walk
and dream of paddles that could be... should he ever get his shoulder sorted!
By now the clock was ticking to cries of ‘Faffalanche’ from
the Chairman so Amy and I deferred our girlie catch-up, the paddlers kitted up
and we finally got the business of the day underway. The Conwy was at 4 on the
gauge – a nice medium level that delivered a classic run – with bouncy rapids
and lovely pooled sections giving first timers Brian, Jamie, Keith and Trevor C.
plenty of opportunity to appreciate the stunning gorge through which it flows.
Despite a short swim... or was it two... ;o) on the tricky slot
above Bryn Bras, Jamie recovered well to run the falls and the whole group made
it safely down. Trevor and yours truly apparently demonstrated the cleanest
lines here amid rumours of some essential bracing from the river leader...
Further entertainment ensued, with medals for Kayakers with
Hearts going to Bill and Keith for their rescue of a distressed lamb found
bleating on the wrong side of the fence between field and river. The roast
dinner option was fleetingly considered but discounted due to lack of cargo space
and, after a pincer movement from Keith and an epic mid-air catch by Bill,
Larry lived to be happily reunited with his flock.
All too soon the first get-out appeared and Jamie, Trevor,
Rob and I chose the grade 4 walk-out, leaving Ad, Bill, Brian and Keith to
tackle the grade 5 portages down-stream. We bided our time over welcome
refreshments and a catch-up with Amy at the Conwy Falls cafe until the paddlers
were safely gathered in at the must-make eddy. Bill looked a little sheepish
for the second time that day after a roll on the final feature, and Keith was
particularly grumpy-faced after trying and apparently epically failing to short-cut
one of the portages...!
Needless to say smiles were easily restored over beer and
food at the Swallow Falls hotel and jollifications continued until well into
the evening and that final, completely unnecessary pint was well and truly
consumed!!
After a relatively peaceful (comatose?) night and a hearty
breakfast, the group dynamics changed for Day 2 with Keith and Chucky opting
for early doors and Trevor Q. joining the party. Levels had dropped
dramatically but the Seiont looked to be holding up well and became the elected
paddle for the day.
The river didn’t disappoint, with the initial grade 4 rapid
providing early challenge, then a bouncy and continuous grade 2/3 blast of a
paddle full of cheeky drops and plenty of interest for the group. Adam ran the
first feature blind, putting in a not-entirely-intentional boof on an
inconvenient rock river left, while the rest of us inspected and Jamie and
Trevor C. decided to portage. Electing
to follow Bill’s centre line, I got pushed right but remembered to brace for
once and made it down with dry hair. Paddling for the first time in some years,
Trevor Q followed me with a gutsy attempt but wasn’t so lucky. Boat and paddler
were safely gathered up with Trevor wisely noting that the Owen line was
definitely not to be trusted!
The rest of the paddle passed with the usual banter and general
appreciation of sunshine and scenery. There were a couple of minor out-of-boat
experiences but barely worthy of note, before Caernarfon Castle provided a
magnificent backdrop for the obligatory selfie as we arrived on a particularly
low tide that necessitated a muddy take out below the landing stage.
With perfect timing the shuttle and boat loading was
completed before the rain came once again, and the weekend was rounded off with
awesome fish and chips in the town before the long journey home...
With thanks to Bill for organising and Bill, Keith and Rob
for driving.
Well done to Jamie for conquering two new rivers in one
weekend.
Welcome Trevor Q... nicely done.
Brian and Amy, it was great to catch up with you.
Sam, you were missed!
See you all on the water very soon...!!
Ali
