January Blog

Hello and welcome to our 1st monthly blog.
Firstly I would like to announce the winner of our "Who can get the most comments published" competion: Scooter for the helpful suggestions over the past month especially regarding the Weslh Bicknor, if you want to read them click on "Welsh Bicknor" and there you go.
Coming up soon we have our pool session, a litter pick on March 15th, and Welsh Bicknor at Easter; if you would like to come along to any you should email us using the new address that is all over the blog.
If you would like to organise a paddle for next month feel free to email us, again on this address so that we can put a new post up.
Finally if you were hoping to catch up with the Dart trip the writing has been waylayed but it will be with you shortly!
Thank you and look at our pictures: (you can print of a copy of the river clean poster and put it up somewhere)
www.picasaweb.google.co.uk/lbc.activityclub
Thank you,
Duncan

Welsh Bicknor

Welsh Bicknor has been booked for the Easter weekend. Last year this was an amazing weekend with great weather and great paddling.
The campsite itself is on the banks of the river Wye nearly at the Symonds Yat rapids. We will be doing paddling* and possibly some walking on the River Wye Walk.
Watch this space for a booking form, poster and dates.

Date: 21st, 22nd, 23rd March 2008

Bookings now being taken:
Email us for a booking form (sorry can't upload it) [.pdf format]

*N.B The paddling will not be "led" like a Boat Centre trip but coaches will still be present. Please don't let this put you off coming - email us if you have any queries.

Kayaks for Sale

For sale due to new imminent boat arrival:
Pyrahna I3 223 Synchro 5, 3 years old, very good condition, usual scratches nothing major. £350 o.n.o. SOLD
Pyrahna Inazone 232, 3 years old, good condition, again usual scratches, foam foot blocks. £250 o.n.o. SOLD
Available for viewing by appointment at the Leam Boat Centre, e-mail to leamboatcentre-activityclub@hotmail.co.uk and leave your details. Also, visit www.picasaweb.google.co.uk/lbc.activityclub for photos. Alternatively leave a comment at the end of this post.

Leam Boat Centre Activity Club River Clean.
10:30 Leam Boat Centre, Saturday 15th March 2008.
come along to do your bit for the environment.
BBQ - bring your own food.
Email us if you wish to attend

Pool Sessions

These are the dates for the pool sessions at Newbold Common Leisure Centre for 2008.

For more information either visit the Leam Boat Centre (contact details in sidebar) or email:
leamboatcentre-actvityclub@hotmail.co.uk

Times:
Kids 6 to 7 pm,
Improvers 7 to 8,
Adults 8 to 9pm.
For block of 3 sessions its £20 for juniors (under 16) & £25 for adults. Please send a chq to the boat centre payable to "LBC Acitivty Club"

Dates for 2008 are...
January 5
February 9
March 1
March 29 (April was unavailable)
May 3
June 14
July 26
August 2
September 6
October 4
November 2
December 6

New Year Paddle

At 11:00 on Tuesday 1st January 2008 we met up at the boat centre to go for a short, relaxing paddle. By the time we returned to the boat centre we all agreed that it definitely wasn't as short as we had planned to be!

We started off up stream towards the footbridge on the Leam. When we got there we went a bit further, then a bit further again, and then a little bit further once more. We all agreed that we should get out and do the Leam, Canal loop.

So we paddled up to the canal overflow and hopped out, we hauled our boats up the bank, then up another bank onto the canal. By the time all the boats were on the tow path everybody was worn out and Duncan had got himself and his boat covered in dog excrement. It was promptly washed of with the brilliantly clean canal water! We got on with a narrow boat and a nasty smell chasing us!

We paddled through Leamington and past the pubs and restaurants on either side at the Shires Retail park. We were all a bit hungry by now so Andy brought out his snacks, bad move there, and they were taken rather quickly!

After passing the Garden Centre we reached fields and we saw a shortcut but carried on instead. When we reached the aqua duct I took great care in were I put my boat and were I stood.

We debated whether it was a good idea to use Stella's throw line to lower the boats off the aqua duct, with nobody in obviously (although the thought did cross all of our minds!). The idea was aborted and we carried our boats down to the river.

We got in under the aqua duct and very kindly Alex helped Julia, or that was what she thought. Alex's plan was to push her under a big drip! His plan somewhat backfired and he ended up sliding down a muddy bank and getting a bit muddy!

Once we were all back on board we set off upstream against a weak current, but a current nevertheless! We reached Princes Drive weir with the water flowing over the steps some people got out and shot the weir while others were still trying to get out! After the excitement of reaching land Stella decided that, again, mud was best so she too got covered in mud. To rid herself of mud she took a bath, a bath at the top of the weir!

Eventually we set off again paddling upstream. Along the way we found 1 child's trolley; 1 road sign; and a numberplate complete with "L" plate and reflector. Unfortunately these were all jettisoned at some point on the remainder of the journey!

On reaching the weir by the Boat Centre we rigged up a line and much to the amusement of the public, we started getting our boats up the slope and back into them without sliding back down the chute.

We had a quick game of throwing the squidgy animals before heading back to the Boat Centre for a cup of tea and using all of Matt's milk! Sorry!

And the moral of the story is...

...paddle downstream next time so you can shoot the weirs and not have to paddle against the current, also it makes it easier to get from the canal back onto the Leam.

Overall distance: 6 miles approx.

If you would like to look at all of the pictures go to:

www.picasaweb.google.co.uk/lbc.activityclub

Happy New Year

When you have looked at the blog we would appreciate it if you could give us your comments and feedback using the comment tool.

Coming Soon:

• River Dart Trip
• New Years Day paddle
• Ardeche photos

Thank you

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