27-06-10, 01:39 AM
With the Mondie playing up I'd decided not to risk Essex and back this weekend...
She's into the local Ford dealers this comming week as the local spanner man's failed to sort her out...
But I've decided to make the most of a "weekend off paddling"...
Popped over to JJ's last night (20 miles), with the slalom boat, to meet up with Iain and the MCC crew for their Friday Night Forray..., had a great time of it, they're a great gang of peeps and very welcoming, if you fancy it just pop over.....
Iain was playing in the club Rodeo 11, the rest were in their playboats...., after 3 hours it was time to top up on a keeeeebap, I was promised they'd be good, and I wasn't let down.....
The scran was followed by a rather quickly paced walk down to the pub for a few sherberts...
, or shandy's depending on your driver status... (I might have to employ the services of a "Shuttle Angel" next time.... 
)
Muff wasn't happy about being in an 'ack, but she got wet so went home smileing. It was a great night, thanks guys...... and George (nice spin....!)....
The mission for today, Sat 26th, was to nurse the Mondie over to MCC, where I was picking up a Club boat for tomorrow's Matlock SWWC meet..
As we pass right by Preston Brook on the way, I figured it'd be rude not to call in and try out a few boats..... You know how it is....
But I got so excited I forgot about the wallet in my pocket and, more importantly my phone.... Suffice to say the spray deck popped off and said phone is now DEAD... Deader than Monty Python's parrot.... (I may have dreams about a Samsung Mobile Extreem tonight.... )
After arguing with Muff, over paddling 'acks, she gave me the cold shoulder all the way to Marple....
I'd arranged to text "The Madman" when we were about an hour away from the site...., but no amount of removing battery and alternately placing in the window and holding in front of the aircon' would coax any life out of the mobi....
Luckilly, when we turned up, Iain was already on site, negating the need to use Chris' mobile to contact Terry/Jude, to ask them to PM Graeme to phone Iain to tell him we were there... (Life can get complicated, especially where Iain's involved.... )..
Anyway, Muff started the Springer Spaniel routine around the car, when she saw the brand shiny new yellow Probe 12 being dragged out of the container..., she wasn't impressed when she saw me reject it...., I can't say what sort of a mess she made of the back seat.., those darn Beavers have rite sharp teeth.... , but she forgave me after she saw the Probe 11 being pulled out soon afterwards....
The Mondie made it back to Chester, although we were attacked by a few Bush Fire Helicopters on the way.....
As it was such a hot day we'd decided to pop down to Eccleston with the boat to get into the shade of the trees and the cooling effect of the Dee, Fil had called (Chris' phone... ) and wanted to come join us... So a quick change of boats and we were off down to the river.....
Never having paddled a Slalom boat before, Fil was a bit purturbed by the way it edged and just wouldn't go in a straight line....., I don't think he accepted my explanation of it being like comparing a Euro Fighter to a 747.....
![[Image: P6260232.jpg]](http://i69.photobucket.com/albums/i57/Redframe/0100626/P6260232.jpg)
He looked just about the right weight for it though, and with a bit of perciverence he soon got the hang of it.... and loved it....
![[Image: P6260235.jpg]](http://i69.photobucket.com/albums/i57/Redframe/0100626/P6260235.jpg)
Much to the annoyance of the Fisher Folk that can't be ar*d walking more than 20 yards from their cars I had a play at polling, I'm of the Firebreather School of paddling.... "If I wanted to pole, I'd live in Cambridge and I'd buy a Punt"....
, but needs must....
![[Image: P6260244.jpg]](http://i69.photobucket.com/albums/i57/Redframe/0100626/P6260244.jpg)
We paddled upstream for a while, there was absoloutly no flow in the river, then I decided that I wasn't sure that the car was locked....., the beginnings of OCD......
, so we paddled back down again.... the car was locked.....
Off we went again, and after a while we stopped to give Fil a rest....
![[Image: P6260246.jpg]](http://i69.photobucket.com/albums/i57/Redframe/0100626/P6260246.jpg)
I framed up a shot, and he said... "Hold on, I need to do the Rock Star Look....." ...so folks, I'm happy to present to you, for your entertainment Fil's best "Rock Star Look".....
![[Image: P6260247.jpg]](http://i69.photobucket.com/albums/i57/Redframe/0100626/P6260247.jpg)
Being a "Young 'un", and a male, he's taken with the adrenaline rush of the 'acks, but to be fair to him, without prompting he asked if he could take Bob out for a spin....
![[Image: P6260248.jpg]](http://i69.photobucket.com/albums/i57/Redframe/0100626/P6260248.jpg)
To Be Honest, I think if it was loaded up with camping gear, and he had the promise of a few nights under the stars ahead, he'd much rather be in the open....
![[Image: P6260250.jpg]](http://i69.photobucket.com/albums/i57/Redframe/0100626/P6260250.jpg)
Matlock tomorrow....
Cheers
Red.
She's into the local Ford dealers this comming week as the local spanner man's failed to sort her out...
But I've decided to make the most of a "weekend off paddling"...
Popped over to JJ's last night (20 miles), with the slalom boat, to meet up with Iain and the MCC crew for their Friday Night Forray..., had a great time of it, they're a great gang of peeps and very welcoming, if you fancy it just pop over.....
Iain was playing in the club Rodeo 11, the rest were in their playboats...., after 3 hours it was time to top up on a keeeeebap, I was promised they'd be good, and I wasn't let down.....
The scran was followed by a rather quickly paced walk down to the pub for a few sherberts...
, or shandy's depending on your driver status... (I might have to employ the services of a "Shuttle Angel" next time.... )Muff wasn't happy about being in an 'ack, but she got wet so went home smileing. It was a great night, thanks guys...... and George (nice spin....!)....
The mission for today, Sat 26th, was to nurse the Mondie over to MCC, where I was picking up a Club boat for tomorrow's Matlock SWWC meet..
As we pass right by Preston Brook on the way, I figured it'd be rude not to call in and try out a few boats..... You know how it is....
But I got so excited I forgot about the wallet in my pocket and, more importantly my phone.... Suffice to say the spray deck popped off and said phone is now DEAD... Deader than Monty Python's parrot.... (I may have dreams about a Samsung Mobile Extreem tonight.... )After arguing with Muff, over paddling 'acks, she gave me the cold shoulder all the way to Marple....
I'd arranged to text "The Madman" when we were about an hour away from the site...., but no amount of removing battery and alternately placing in the window and holding in front of the aircon' would coax any life out of the mobi....
Luckilly, when we turned up, Iain was already on site, negating the need to use Chris' mobile to contact Terry/Jude, to ask them to PM Graeme to phone Iain to tell him we were there...
(Life can get complicated, especially where Iain's involved.... )..Anyway, Muff started the Springer Spaniel routine around the car, when she saw the brand shiny new yellow Probe 12 being dragged out of the container..., she wasn't impressed when she saw me reject it...., I can't say what sort of a mess she made of the back seat.., those darn Beavers have rite sharp teeth....
, but she forgave me after she saw the Probe 11 being pulled out soon afterwards....The Mondie made it back to Chester, although we were attacked by a few Bush Fire Helicopters on the way.....
As it was such a hot day we'd decided to pop down to Eccleston with the boat to get into the shade of the trees and the cooling effect of the Dee, Fil had called (Chris' phone...
) and wanted to come join us... So a quick change of boats and we were off down to the river.....Never having paddled a Slalom boat before, Fil was a bit purturbed by the way it edged and just wouldn't go in a straight line....., I don't think he accepted my explanation of it being like comparing a Euro Fighter to a 747.....
He looked just about the right weight for it though, and with a bit of perciverence he soon got the hang of it.... and loved it....
Much to the annoyance of the Fisher Folk that can't be ar*d walking more than 20 yards from their cars I had a play at polling, I'm of the Firebreather School of paddling.... "If I wanted to pole, I'd live in Cambridge and I'd buy a Punt"....
, but needs must.... We paddled upstream for a while, there was absoloutly no flow in the river, then I decided that I wasn't sure that the car was locked....., the beginnings of OCD......
, so we paddled back down again.... the car was locked.....Off we went again, and after a while we stopped to give Fil a rest....
I framed up a shot, and he said... "Hold on, I need to do the Rock Star Look....." ...so folks, I'm happy to present to you, for your entertainment Fil's best "Rock Star Look".....
Being a "Young 'un", and a male, he's taken with the adrenaline rush of the 'acks, but to be fair to him, without prompting he asked if he could take Bob out for a spin....
To Be Honest, I think if it was loaded up with camping gear, and he had the promise of a few nights under the stars ahead, he'd much rather be in the open....
Matlock tomorrow....
Cheers
Red.
... to camp on family holidays since I became part of his life at 7, poor lad...