Dart Chillin'

The trek to Rivert Dart Country Park must always consist of the following: flapjack, wine gums, sarnies, latest footie stories, merciless pisstaking, an overdose of tottie banter and of course, the good ole' yes / no game;)
Friday then was no different, although much mirth was added thanks to the hippy smash on the M5 and the amazingly generous lady volvo driver who earlier decided to set the tone for the journey with a spot of fine style 'arborial parking' - many thanks;)

So to Saturday, bloated and weighed down from a bucket of corn flakes and a hearty english breakfast (thanks to the top grill man at the Dart Country Park) the Upper Dart beckoned...


[upright for a change - jd]


[euthanasia falls - shaun]

Levels were low; the area having experienced something of a 'drought' for this time of year but thankfully the 'Upper' holds its water for some time after rainfall. So the frequent bumps and scrapes from lurking boulders were to be expected, what wasn't was two (count 'em) pointless f*%"#ng swims.


[tidying up]

In the end though, after the blue mist had calmed down at least i hadn't lost another skull cap;)


[there, there]

The Upper Dart is generally considered the best Grade 4 paddle in the UK and on Saturday's evidence I wouldn't really disagree; a never ending series of technical boulder gardens interspersed by some challanging rapids and drops (in bigger water, the stoppers would be mightily impressive indeed). Vigilant scouting in and out of the boat a neccessity and given the water level, adequate spacing was the order of the day. It's always easier with help from those familiar with a particular river so big thumbs to our valiant crash test dummies; Tony (Mr. Benn), Mamba Darren and Wayne ("yeah, I know").


[Paul droppping in]


[who enjoyed today?]


[oh dear, lightweights!]

Top w/e but bloody freezin' - thank the lord for the Tea van (and Bob's cash) on the Loop get in!!

Keeping an eye on the future - 'East Lyn', ain't nothing but spectacular...