From the Log of the Moonraker

I missed the 1999 Swale Charity Paddle being Anno Domini and full of cold (the two don't mix). Today the weather was reasonably warm so I decided to do the last part of the event. As I equipped the Moonraker for its outing I remembered the early Charity Paddles in the 80's when the Army had given up organising the annual Army White Water Race and the Club event was soon a national event with paddlers from England, Scotland and Wales taking part. A Guide to Yorkshire Rivers was produced about that time by Geoff W Wood and was in great demand as the Swale was unknown to many. Geoff, who wrote at Christmas to say that his knees are 'Beggered" (*) is now probably one of the Clubs' oldest members.

Dave and Kay gave me a welcome as I arrived at Swaleview Caravan site and we must thank the owners, Mr & Mrs Carter for their continued generosity over the years. Shaun and Anne, with their very smart, high tech Dagger canoes, said that they would accompany me paddling the Moonraker which is probably approaching forty years old. I was particularly grateful to Shaun for helping me down the rocks at Lownethwaite bridge after his capsize, having assured me that his equipment, unlike mine, is completely waterproof.

Just beyond the bridge parties from Killingworth and Tynemouth caught us up in their kayak versions of skateboards and one asked to be remembered to Lofty Wright. This reminds me that Lofty has an excellent set of slides from early days of canoeing and these would be well worth seeing at a canoe section Club night.

It was a bit bump and scrape but at least I was paddling one up from a canvas canoe which is what was paddled on rivers and at sea in the early days which prompts me to ask if Ernie still has his canvas sea boat? I arrived at the Falls O.K., having been entertained by Anne, who was for a while, broadside on, in a little rapid just upstream from the Green Bridge. I avoided the problem, learning from her mistake and was reminded that the river is ever changing its course and piling up rocks in the most unlikely places, just to make canoeing ever pleasurable and interesting.

Thank you organisers for all your hard work. Well done. It is appreciated, especially by the crew of the Moonraker.

(*) Geoff did not write this word but the Bradford equivalent, however good taste and the need to get past the censor requires me to use a degree of decorum!

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	Swaledale Outdoor Club

From the Log of the Moonraker

Colin Stegeman