A sunny afternoon practicing paddling in the Pelican before the majority paddled the Canal to the pub

Day 2 of Danka experiencing the K1 on the Thames in mild cloudy weather @JonnyC: Enthused by her positive experience the previous day, there was no waiting for crowds to clear (not that the crowds gathered particularly on the BH Monday), but our compressed timelines for the day limited our water time slightly. We agreed to head upstream to focus on honing some skills, DK practicing her paddling techniques, and JC challenging himself to leave the skeg up and refine his craft handling. Arrival at St ...

Danka's first try in a K1, on the Thames near Lechlede, in mild cloudy weather. @JonnyC: With trepidation about her first k1 experience, DK favoured waiting until the crowds subsided at our wild camp spot / launch spot, which took a while given how busy it was on a Bank Holiday Sunday (the Wharf was stacked full of vehicles the whole time). JC selfishly abandoned the new entrant bankside, so he could stretch his (kayaking) legs. Eventually the crowds subsided and DK took to the water, heading upst ...

Exploring the wonderful Savernake forest, around 15km walked

Older kiddies trip to experience the drainpipe @JonnyC: Leaving the two youngest ones behind to ensure we could move through the cave a little quicker to get the older ones down to the drainpipe. We had a fun and swift trip in, but the drainpipe left energy reserves a little low to go and play in the maze. In through the main, bloody tight, coffin lid, drainpipe, returning via the terrace and out through an unassisted tradesmans. Great trip.

A nice little socially distanced Sunday stroll around Shipham to have some face to face time with Rich to adapt plans for May. @RichM: 5.3km with a 187m height gain. Great walk in Great company

Geocaching stroll around Avening

Geocaching stroll around Silk Wood

A 30km training walk from Sea Mills to Portishead Marina and back again. With Rich in attendance on this occasion, the rain came down every time he took his rucksack cover off. Plenty of breaks between showers albeit a little chilly toward the end of the day. Hard going on the feet and legs. @JonnyC: A generally pleasant walk, although the tarmac took it's toll. Started just after 0900hrs and completed in 8.5hrs with a moving average pace a little over 4km/h over the 30km. Great to be out trainin ...

An ODP training walk around Burrington and Blagdon. At last we were able to meet with Rich for this one. Originally destined to be 18km we rerouted on the last leg bringing us down to 16.5km with ascent of 545m. Packs were 13, 10 and 8kg, weather fresh but good. @JonnyC: More ascent than our previous training walks but with a reasonable distance and moderate to light packs. A great chance to catch up with Rich, and a great route he devised also. The weather was kind, and there was even a snippet ...