“Friday 31st July, we set off North to Mains Farm Campsite at Kirkoswald, near Penrith. On a lovely sunny afternoon, we all set up camp, a variety of tents a van and a caravan. After everyone was settled in and the toilets and showers were located, we all headed down to the river, just down a field from the campsite for a white-water safety training session. Although the water was very cold no one minded too much because the day was so warm. After a session of practice rescues, we headed back to camp for warm showers and to eat our evening meal. We celebrated Julies Birthday after our meal, then headed into the field for a game of rounders. The teams were oldies verses youngsters (2 boys from the campsite joined in to make up the numbers). After our game (the youngsters won) we headed back to camp, after it got dark, we all retired to bed.
On Saturday, a car shuttle was put in, prior to the start of the days paddle at Brougham Castle. We paddled nearly 24 km on the River Eamont and Eden, mostly on flat water, with a little bit of white water. We stopped for lunch and then again at Lacy caves for a look around. Then back into the boats for the final paddle back to camp. On-route we saw several fish jumping, buzzards, and herons. Arriving back at camp everyone was tired, so a shower and evening meal was followed by sitting and talking until darkness moved us all off to bed.
An early start Sunday, all the tents were taken down. It had rained overnight so it was all a bit wet. All the drivers then took the loaded-up cars to the finish of todays paddle at Armathwaite bridge after everyone had arrived back at the campsite, we carried the boats down the field and back onto the river for the paddle. The last feature on the river was Armathwaite weir. A few of the paddlers attempted the weir while others took the less daunting (Chicken Shoot) route down. Then down to the bridge for lunch, loading boats onto cars and trailer, then onward home for a well earned shower and a rest. “ By Coach Andy Longstaff. Great pictures by Sue, Vicky and Emily Longstaff. Visit the gallery to see the weekends full album.
On Saturday, a car shuttle was put in, prior to the start of the days paddle at Brougham Castle. We paddled nearly 24 km on the River Eamont and Eden, mostly on flat water, with a little bit of white water. We stopped for lunch and then again at Lacy caves for a look around. Then back into the boats for the final paddle back to camp. On-route we saw several fish jumping, buzzards, and herons. Arriving back at camp everyone was tired, so a shower and evening meal was followed by sitting and talking until darkness moved us all off to bed.
An early start Sunday, all the tents were taken down. It had rained overnight so it was all a bit wet. All the drivers then took the loaded-up cars to the finish of todays paddle at Armathwaite bridge after everyone had arrived back at the campsite, we carried the boats down the field and back onto the river for the paddle. The last feature on the river was Armathwaite weir. A few of the paddlers attempted the weir while others took the less daunting (Chicken Shoot) route down. Then down to the bridge for lunch, loading boats onto cars and trailer, then onward home for a well earned shower and a rest. “ By Coach Andy Longstaff. Great pictures by Sue, Vicky and Emily Longstaff. Visit the gallery to see the weekends full album.
