By: Blonde Two
After a book delivery yesterday, I was so near to Dartmoor that I decided that it would be rude not to make a visit. The River Dart was looking so lovely that I didn’t make it up onto the actual moor, but rather stopped at Deeper Marsh for a (previously packed) cuppa and chocolate bar.
Deeper Marsh was looking marshy and indeed deeper than it usually does.
I spotted a pair of Mallards who obviously thoroughly approved of the marshy deepness and were demonstrating this by doing a bit of sprint-wing-cleaning (they are in this picture – honest!)
Down at the river there were paddlers (kayakers). I had been hoping there would be because I wanted some pictures of some. In a previous Blonde life, I was a paddler myself; in fact, I believe I still hold the Paignton Canoe Club record for the fastest white water capsize (3 seconds). Mr B2 and I have two kayaks stashed behind the garden shed (they make great homes for snails). We also still have two sons who both spend a lot of their time teaching youngsters to paddle.
There were three distinct groups by the bottom rapid. All were learning about ‘breaking in’ (getting into the flow of the water) and ‘breaking out’ (getting back out of it again). There was also a bit of ‘ferry gliding’ going on (this involves facing upstream and using the force of the water to propel you across the river). In my case ‘ferry gliding’ often used to involve using the force of the water to prompt an inelegant and untimely swim! “Paddle! Paddle! Paddle!” by the way is what everybody else used to shout at me, most of the time.
It was the youngest group that I enjoyed watching the most. Three teenagers who clearly had some experience with moving water but were still a bit nervy. In charge of them was a young man about the age of my boys. He did an excellent job of demonstrating to, encouraging and praising the lads in his care. When he smiled his goodbye as they headed off downstream, I told him how much I had enjoyed watching his work.
It all made me wonder if I should have another go at paddling sometime!
I’ve done the canoe bit (the sort that used to be made from birch bark if Fenimore Cooper is to be believed – always a risky business) but never the kayak. I’ve always baulked at having to learn the rotative alternative to drowning. I presume you are expert at this. I’d be genuinely fascinated to know what passes through your mind while it is happening. Do you ever think: one of these days this is not going to work and I’ll be left like a decoration on an underwater Christmas tree. Sorry for the somewhat strained simile.
I have to confess here that despite numerous sessions in a swimming pool, I never managed to learn to roll my kayak (upright that is, I was proficient at the other way). You are however taught very quickly how to get out while upside down. This usually just happens but the prescribed system is: Wait for the boat to settle (with you dangling), bang three times on the bottom of your boat (never quite sure why), pull the handle of your spray deck to release yourself and wriggle out.
Out of necessity, I also learnt how to get back in whilst afloat. This requires some patient friends!
I never managed to turn the PBK27 over – she was too well made and a perfect lady – but my open canoe was a different matter. Shanty-the-big-dog decided one February day that instead of jumping straight to the bottom of the boat from the bank she could put her front legs on the edge – thereby tipping us and all our kit into icy water. She swam 30 yards to get out and her undercoat was still bone dry. I got straight out up the bank, but I was soaked to the skin. There’s a lesson in that somewhere – – -. Open boat last used on my 68th – high time I got her out again.