Barnard Castle to the Edge of the World

Our leader is a brave man . He agreed to take me, in the double for my first ever river trip. I've not done much paddling at all, but the bit I've done was on the sea. I have this very strong held belief that the sea is safe and rivers are terrifying. Anyway after a sleepless rnght worrying about it, we arrived at Barnard Castle on a very perfect winters day. It was very cold but with bright sunshine. Assembled to paddle were me, Nick, Pete, Wendy, Shaun and Dave. First problem - getting the dry cag on - I'm sure my neck and wrists have put on weight since I bought the thing. Suitably unable to breathe I was ready to go.

The first hundred yards or so were lovely, nice flat water. Although it is very spooky being in a double as things seemed to happen which had nothing to do with how I was paddling. We approached the first obstacle, a fall of about 3 feet. Dave went down and pointed out a good route . Then it was our turn. I have discovered a bit of a flaw in my technique, in that I close my eyes and refract my head like a demented tortoise when faced with this situation. Anyway, thanks to Pete we were safely though and we broke out to watch the others. Although the space actually looked narrower than the open boats I saw Wendy and Shaun make a regal and seemingly effortless descent. Everyone made it look so easy - it must be nice to have some control.

A nice calm bit and a chance to look around. The two banks seemed to be in different seasons. Sunlight dappling on one side with a carpet of snowdrops, and on the other hundreds of icicles. Another tricky bit, you have to react to the lots of strange eddies and rocks which keep trying to tip you. The speed you have to react to the currents is amazing. It's a whole different ball game from sea paddling. There were loads of just-submerged rocks to trap you and become becalmed on. Pete manfully got us off them while I jiggled about pointlessly trying to help. I think I felt every stone on that river bed although the others said they found some that we missed. You have to be thinking all the time - great fun though!

"And relax " - this was repeated to me regularly by Pete. Lovely view of crumbling abbey then a very interesting roller coaster ride over a series of falls. We were buffeted all over the place. Obviously I did not see much owing to my tortoise approach. Again everyone got down with no problems. Then the icing on the cake - surfing on a standing wave. Excellent. Pete even got us out again. Shaun and Nick had a go as well.

Then another quiet bit, but with lots and lots of rocks to get stuck on. Near the end of the trip now and under the bridge to look at a huge fall. We get out. Good think I, we're just going to look at it. Dave goes down then Shaun then Nick . Right says Pete, back in the boat. Being in awe of authority I obey - much to Nick's amazement. I am still screaming when I hit the water, thoroughly wet and thoroughly happy. It was a great day.

Thanks Pete.

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Barnard Castle to the Edge of the World

Kath Bulmer