Well we’d fit more into one mornin’ than most people get into a month an’ it was only 12.45. We were on our way to Tees Barrage (second week in a row for me!) an’ I could feel the chills from last week’s events. We arrived an’ were given wetsuits so I knew I’d be gettin’ cold an’ wet again lol. Lloyd an’ the gang helped us into the waiting Kayaks an’ we were quite unceremoniosly chucked in. It was a pretty nervy time as I felt I was goin to fall straight out but after some good advice from Helen I found my river legs and began to enjoy the water despite the wind doin’ it’s best to push me down stream. Joanna was not finding the water much kinder but despite her fear bravely slid her kayak into the water to join us as we headedup stream for our first challenge.
The guys explained we would be tryin’ a manouver called “the piano” but I had to stop them as Joanna an’ I were just not gettin’ it. I asked one of the guys to show us what they meant. HUGE MISTAKE!! started to get out of the kayak an’ on to the front where we were all lined up. Joanna an’ I were gobsmacked that after only 1o min’s on the water we had to walk along the front of the kayaks!!! They had only managed to get across two of our boats before fallin’ in so I was not holdin’ much hope for myself, an Joanna had flatly refused to do it as I guess she wont mind me sayin’ she’s not a strong swimmer an’ this was somthin’ a bit beyond what 1o/15 mins trainin’ can prepare you for!!!
I’m a pretty strong swimmer though an’ despite knowin’ how cold the Tees was from the week before I decided to give it go. As I expected I didn’t get far before I was fallin’ head first into the water, which is where I stayed as I couldn’t get back into the kayak. I swam to the river bank draggin’ my boat with me by which time I had gotten used to the water an’ didn’t mind the numbing cold so much. I pulled myself back in an’ once again followed everyone back upstream where we were about to have a race. By the time I’d got back to the guys I was all over the place an’ strugglin but as I turned to go downstream I relaxed enough to realise where I was an’ managed to catch the beginnin’ of the race.
The second race was goin’ backwards but by then my mind wasn’t really on the job an’ I “fell in” a second time an’ was just enjoyin’ bein’ in the water as I had no real feeling of the cold anymore and was givin’ it full on “Otter stlye” ’til eventually I was dragged out. I think I felt even more refreshed than the week before an’ I can’t wait to go back with Lauren an’ her friends or the boys an’ jump in again (maybe not three weeks in a row though lol)
After showerin’ we met for a well earned coffee in the Barage’s cafe an’ the days points were tally’ed up. By some miracle I’d just pinched it. Julia from “Visit Tees Valley” awarded me a bottle of champagne which with the pending arrival of 6 of Lauren’s friends for a pre “Bolder Walking” sleepover, would come in handy later on lol. Once again a massive thank you to everyone @ the Tees Barrage, “Outdoor Ambition” and “Visit Tees Valley” for an amazin’ day an’ a great taster of what our final day in March has in store, can’t wait guys!!
Well done on your challenge cuz, we are all so proud of you. Amazing son, brother, father, and friend. All the best 4 the final, u deserve it xxxxx
god luck cuz , wish you all the luck in the wprld , this sounds write up your street
go for it jim !!!!!!!11