The Usk
The weekend started with two cars with 2 canoes each getting stuck in jams on the M4 as we left Reading. Nothing unusual there, then.
We were staying in Llangorse near Brecon. Friday night saw 4 people staying in a bunkhouse that sleeps 24, using the cookers to heat the kitchen on account of the idiosyncratic central heating.
Saturday morning we woke to admire the snow falling heavily outside, as we bravely attacked the huge breakfast supplied by Mark. Eating breakfast and lunch in one meal meant we wouldn’t need to stop at lunchtime. Various other members of the party arrived more or less on time, and we sorted ourselves to Talybont-on-Usk where the complete party assembled – 4 canoes and 9 kayaks. We sorted who had what kit, managed the car shuttle, got the boats to the water, warmed up as penguins and got onto the water. The excitement of the day was Mill Falls, negotiated with varying degrees of success and panache. The river provided plenty of opportunities for playing (all in the name of training and gaining experience), and we got to the get out at Llangynidr bridge only 3 hours later. Back to the bunkhouse for tea and cake, lots of discussion about where to paddle the next day, lots of discussion about the central heating (and lots of discussion about where to sleep for some). That evening some went to find a curry house, some ate in, some took advantage of the climbing wall on-site, some the pool table…
Sunday morning we finally resolved to paddle from Sennybridge to Aberbran Bridge. We said farewell to the non-paddling part of the party and some paddlers. As we were getting sorted, Conrad provided a ferry service for lost property for one of the many other groups we saw that day. The weather was milder and lighter, and there were traces of blue sky to be seen. All to the good as it wasn’t long before one of us was in the water. There were lots of other groups, some canoe and some kayak. We had three natural weirs to navigate. We stopped to inspect one around lunchtime, and met a large group who had stopped to eat their sandwiches and enjoy the entertainment. As we watched, someone came out of their kayak – which was then held vertically by the water until it was eventually spat out. There was sympathetic applause for those who came out of their boats, and encouraging applause for those who didn’t. The satisfaction of braving what was to me a huge drop and not ending up in the water was enormous! We chatted to other paddlers (“Oh you’re from Wokingham!”) – one of whom was later overheard to say “Follow them – they’re taking a good line”.
We found the get-out, sorted who had what boat on which car, and made the long drive home.
Thank you to Marion for all her organising and to Marion, Steve and Roger for looking after us on the water. Till next time
David Palfrey
Saturday 27 November 2004
