An insight into planet Baz: 24 November 2006

Those nice folk at Palm had sent my drysuit back; calls were made, plans were hatched. With my birthday on the horizon, we didn't need any more of an excuse.... So there we were off to Dollgellau for a pre-birthday weekend of kayaking and maybe (possibly) a beer or three.... Friday night turned into Saturday morning with the bar at Briach Goch left open and an honesty list, which eventually caught up with us on Sunday morning....

D & A working out where they are off to next

Saturday 9 am saw us hooking up with the day-trippers and off we went on the Afon Twmyn (after spending a further hour chasing missing mates and neoprene gear). Long run, good level and a long gorge section at the bottom warmed us up nicely, despite some upside down time for me.
Upwards and onwards and the Afon Dulas was next on the list. Beer heads were wearing off by now and a more dynamic approach was adopted (i.e. I started paddling with my eyes open). Another good river with interesting grade 3 rapids leading onto a short grade 4 - where an otter jumped across my bow and into the river during a hailstorm; first time I ever saw one (otter that is)...

Me on the Afon Dulas

... and onto the last excitement of the day, a steep, right bend with a grade 5 drop. Lots of chin scratching and safety set up before we ran it. Simon discovered that the right bank was undercut and spent a few seconds inspecting it from underneath. Although shaken, he wasn't particularly stirred by the experience. I think that he'll not be so keen to paddle my old RPM too often after this!

Back to Braich Goch and, once scrubbed up, it was off to Machylleth for an Indian followed by a more sedate evening of pool and The Reverend Bell (a local beer, highly recommended)

Sunday: another big breakfast and quickly pack and vacate our rooms. Rain and sunshine swapped places as we drove north toward Beddgellert and the mighty Aberglaslyn Gorge. The paddle down to the Gorge proper was beautiful, bright sunshine, sparkling water and everybody up for what was about to come. I'm saying little more than a swim down the top section of the Gorge hurts. Lots. Andrew, Chas and Darren ran it in Fine style; I managed to bend sufficiently to get back into my boat to complete the bottom section and Simon made the brave decision to stay on the bank providing safety. Oh well, at least I managed a self-rescue without loosing any kit. Just lots of pride. Apparently I said "ouch" and random expletives a lot and sulked much of the way home - I blame that on the Cocodamol though. The bruises are now neatly joined up and run from my thigh to my ribs.... body armour anyone?