I’ve never written anything for “Canoe Camper” because, as new members & novice canoeists, we haven’t done anything to write about.
Then came Nick’s justified verbal bullying at Cardington, when he asked where all the writers were. That made me realise there was something to write about.
Our family has only been paddling for about a year. We’d had pool lessons, and had done the occasional trip on the Sow & Trent around Stafford, but we didn’t have a clue about organising trips of our own (plus we’d found all the useful driftwood, buckets, balls and fishing tackle, locally. We needed new scavenging grounds!)
Then came the turning point. We bought kayaks for the children, and with the boats came the recommendation that we join the Canoe-Camping Club. We’d been Camping Club members ages ago, but changed, dare I say it, to the Caravan Club, because their foreign touring insurance was much cheaper (Headquarters take note). We’ve switched back to the “old” club and are very pleased.
Our first C-CC event was the meet at Mordiford, it lived up to our hopes completely. An instant new set of friends, a wealth of experience to draw on and pleasant trips (we’ll ignore that windy day) organised for us.
After Mordiford came Cheshunt. Brilliant. Great weather, even more great people. One Star kayak success for Chris & Jenny, One Star Open Canoe for Graham and me. Now here we are at Cardington. The course has been set up and we are having lunch. I thought it best to write before I do any paddling in case I change my mind about the joys of canoeing, after my first white water this afternoon.
Still, whatever happens, I can ease my bones at the barbecue tonight. Thanks for being such a great bunch of people and come on, help the Editor out with an article for the next magazine. It’s not that hard!
Lester Stuart