Krazy Kayaks: April 2008

Day 7

Wednesday 30 April 2008

06.30 - After a really bad night of heavy rain and high winds, Adam & Dave set off towards Newark Castle.

07.45 - Radio Sheffield interviewed the kayakers live!!

09.30 - Adam called to say they have reached Newark Castle and were grabbing a quick breakfast before they started their trip towards the tidal stretch of Trent. They were both very tired because the weather was so bad in the night, they hardly slept due to checking their canoes hadnt blown away!

Listen to Dave on Radio Sheffield!

boomp3.com

19.00 - Well today has been the roughest day yet. They have had rain lashing down on them for most of the day and it got so bad that they had to finish the day earlier(5pm) than usual otherwise they would have been dealing with hypothermia. They still managed to do 30 miles. They took refuge in a pub in Laneham called The Ferry Boat Inn and would like to express their gratitude to the landlady there who was very hospitable. Lets hope that after some rest they are able to plod on tomorrow.

Day 6

Monday 28 April 2008

06.00 - Well the start of another day! It had been raining in the night so it wasnt very warm this morning whilst Adam and Dave were loading their boats up again - the weather forecast says rain, rain, rain all week now! They Kayakers set off from Proctor's Country Park at Barrow upon Soar this morning and making there way up through Nottingham into Newark, hopefully arriving there at around 19.00 - hopefully there wont be as many locks as yesterday!

10.30 - The kayakers were one mile away from the famous Trent Junction where EMT's trains pass over on their way to/from Loughborough. They then paddled up to Nottingham. Cath and Corey met them at Trent Bridge where they had some lunch before setting off again!

20.00 - Arrived at Gunthorpe. They tried to get into a hotel because its cold and raining but there was no storage for the canoes so they have had to set their tents up on a nearby campsite. The weather turned on them this evening so its very cold and theyre soaking so they have gone to seek refuge and some tea! They've paddled around 32 miles today, making up a couple of miles from yesterday but still about 6 miles short in total. They had to stop for about an hour in the afternoon cause Dave got so cold and couldn't carry on before warming up.

It was so great to see Dave this afternoon. I took a few pictures on my phone(not the best!) but you get an idea :)

Day 5

06.00 - Set off from the locks at Kibworth, its very cold this morning but the sun was coming up so hopefully they can get a good way to Loughborough before the rain comes! Both are in very good spirits after having a bath and a sleep.

19.00 - So it's been another tough day with far too many locks. I think they'll be glad to see the back of them! They managed to paddle around 24 miles today, about 3 short of their target, this was mainly due to the locks. The weather was kind to them this morning but turned rainy this afternoon. They have finished in Barrow upon Soar and have somewhere warm to stay this evening. Hopefully tomorrow will be better for them and less locks!

End of Day 4

Sunday 27 April 2008

Well the Krazy Kayakers have finished for another day.

They have done in excess of 35 miles and caught up on lost mileage from previous days and are now just a couple of miles behind.

The day started out well with nice weather but this afternoon they encountered a thunderstorm and had to take shelter under a bridge. Also Dave had a fright when a swan decided to attack him and landed on the kayak!

They are now near a place called Kibworth and have somewhere warm and dry to stay tonight and hopefully will have a good nights kip!

Day 4 - Past the 100 mile mark!

15.00 - Kayakers have stopped just before Foxton Locks to have some lunch. They have just past the 100 mile mark which is great news as they are on schedule! Theyve done 24 miles so far today and have another 5 hours of daylight so they may even be able to do more than the planned 30 miles per day!

I will be meeting them again tonight so i will able to add another picture of them later!

Day 4

7.00 - Well the lads are off to a good start. 5.30am start this morning. They managed to paddle an incredible 7 miles in 90 mins! They have been met with a series of locks now so are doing a little bit on foot. they are currently at a place called Weedon. Hope you get some good weather today chaps!

Day 3

Saturday 26 April 2008

14.30 - What a gorgeous day today!! The sun is shining, its lovely and warm-the kayakers have asked me to bring them some suncream because theyre getting sunburnt! They called at 14.30 to let us know that they had stopped for lunch at Stoke Bruerne, just before heading into Blisworth Tunnel (2 miles long). I think theyve made their minds up to go out to the sea so i will be meeting them tonight near Billing Aquadrome to take them more supplies.

16.00 - Adam and Dave have decided to follow our railway line and come up through Leicester!

19.30 - Arrived at Nether Heyford to see Adam and Dave. They were pitching up on a campsite by the canal. When we arrived, they had just put their tents up and were cleaning their boats. I took them clean clothes, fruit, nut energy bars and a couple of beers to have with their fish and chips! They have met a couple of people enroute who have kindly given them a donation, so for those who may read this, thankyou very much for your kindness!

They have decided to come up through Leicester due to expected high winds on the day that they would need to cross the Wash. Me and Cath are relieved they arent going that way - hopefully they could shave a day off and arrive in Sheffield on Friday 2nd May! Come on, get paddling boys!!

Day 2

Friday 25 April 2008

05.55 - Phonecall from Adam. They were setting off again at 06.00, they managed to get some sleep ready for the 45 locks they have to go around today!

09.45 - Dave called to say they hadn't actually been in the water as yet as they were trying to navigate some of the locks on foot. It's hard work for them getting the boats in and out of the water so at this point it's easier on foot. they're now at Berkhamstead.
Also just wanted to say a HUGE thankyou to Hemel Hempstead Canoe Club for their hospitality last night!

19.30 - Well the end of another day. They've managed to notch up 26 miles today which is around 4 short of what they wanted to do but this is probably due to the fact they had to walk around 8 ,miles this morning around locks. Hopefully tomorrow should be better as the locks are much closer together. They have managed to find a small campsite near Bletchley so at least they'll be able to get a hot shower. Hope you're not to sore guys! xx

End of Day 1

Thursday 24 April 2008

20.30 - Adam and Dave have paddled 29 miles today!! Theyre are very tired but theyve met a canoe club tonight and told them about their trip - theyve given them their club house for the night!! Nice hot showers, electricity, toilets - and even a pub across the road!! Theyre having a shower and going for their tea now. An early night tonight ready for a very early start again tomorrow! Sleep tight Kayakers xx

Day 1

Updated throughout the day.

0830 - Dave and Adam set off on the jaunt at 520am. The River Thames was very calm and they navigated this fine. It was on the Grand Union Canal that problems arose. Well not exactly problems but having to get the boat out of the water for all the locks has slowed them down and tired them out.

1242 - They have stopped for lunch at Denham Deep Lock and gone about 15 miles. The wetaher is bad, chucking it down.

The Kayakers and The Leicester Mercury

Adam and Dave are in the Leicester Mercury! For anyone who would like to read it, they are on Page 7. They have also been approached by Derby Radio Station to broadcast a live interview tomorrow morning whilst theyre paddling!

T Minus 1 - This is it!

Wednesday 23 April 2008

Hi All

As the title suggests - this is it! At 2.30AM tomorrow morning we'll begin our drive from Leicester to London where we will set sail from Chiswick Bridge at 5.00AM and attempt to paddle all the way up to Sheffield; thats a distance of about 300 miles in (hopefully) no more than 11 days.

As promised here are the details of our route(s).

Plan A

Day 1 - Chiswick Bridge to Aspley - Travelling through Rickmansworth and Watford

Day 2 - Aspley to Woolstone Bridge - Travelling through Hemel Hempstead and Milton Keynes

Day 3 - Woolstone Bridge to Billing Aquadrome - This will see us turning off the Grand Union and onto the River Nene, will also be taking us through Blisworth Tunnel which is 1.8 miles long! Day 4 - Billing to Oundle Bridge - Travelling through Wellingborough

Day 5 - Oundle Bridge to Dog in a Doublet - Travelling through Peterborough. Dog in a Doublet is where the River Nene turns into a tidal river

Day 6 - Dog in a Doublet to Crabs Hole (So many puns with this one!) - Travelling through Wisbeach. Crabs Hole is the start of The Wash

Day 7 - Crabs Hole to Boston - Across The Wash and also around RAF Holbeach which is an RAF bombing range! Boston is just the other side of The Wash on the River Witham

Day 8 - Boston to Washingborough - Travelling through miles and miles of nothing.

Day 9 - Washingborough to West Stockwith - Travelling through Lincoln, turning onto the River Trent and through Gainsborough. Lincoln will see us pass under the famous 'Glory Hole' bridge. The River Trent is tidal.

Day 10 - West Stockwith to Barney Dun - Travelling past Scunthorpe and onto the South Yorkshire Navigation

Day 11 - Barney Dun to Sheffield Basin - Travelling through Doncaster and Rotherham.

Now if we get bad weather and decide against going over The Wash our route will be........

Day 1 - Chiswick Bridge to Aspley - Travelling through Rickmansworth and Watford

Day 2 - Aspley to Woolstone Bridge - Travelling through Hemel Hempstead and Milton Keynes

Day 3 - Woolstone Bridge to Whilton - again will take us through Blisworth Tunnel but will stay on the Grand Union Canal as opposed to turning onto the River Nene

Day 4 - Whilton to Newton Harcourt - Travelling through Crick Tunnel, Husbands Bosworth Tunnel and Saddington Tunnel and down Foxton Locks. Will also pass by Market Harborough

Day 5 - Newton Harcourt to Kegworth - Travelling through Leicester (behind the football stadium), Loughborough and also past Pillings Lock which is the big waterfall type lock you can see from the train just south of Loughborough station.

Day 6 - Kegworth to Fiskerton - Turning onto River Trent at Trent Junction and travelling through Nottingham.

Day 7 - Fiskerton to Marton Drain - Travelling through Newark

Day 8 - Marton Drain to Mauds Swing Bridge - Travelling through Gainsborough and turning onto the South Yorkshire Navigation

Day 9 Mauds Swing Bridge to Sheffield Basin - Through Doncaster and Rotherham

Whilst the routes are as above the start/end of day points could alter dependent on if we get ahead or behind. Both Katie and Cath will be updating this website with details of our progress.

With that we'll be off, thanks so much for all the support and sponsoership to date, we're sure we'll smash through the £2000 barrier which is amazing! It'd be great to see as many of you as possible at the finish line when we get back into Sheffield and we'll apologise in advance if we don't smell too fresh!

Thanks

Adam & Dave

IT'S SHOWTIME

Well the time for talking has come to an end.

Its time to go!!!!

The weather looks average and a cold snap is promised.

Thanks need to be said to the wife who has put up with me training every spare moment. I love you.

Sorry to the boy who i have neglected a little bit.

Thank you to the canoe club of Sheffield for your help, my company who have sponsored me and all the other people that have given money ( nearly 2 grand) and time to this event.

Lets do it!

OPTIONS - YOU DECIDE WHICH IS THE CASE?

1 - I have just spent 7 days in America at the high altitude training camp in California ready for the mission.

or 2 - I have just been on my holidays to the USA.

T Minus 3 Days

Monday 21 April 2008

Hi All

Well we are now just a few days away from setting off on our Krazy Kayak from London to Sheffield.

I've just got back from Birstall after doing a 'test run' with the boat fully loaded. There was actually more room on board than I realised and although the boat weighed a LOT more it still floated no worries! I was expecting the extra weight to make paddling a lot harder but it actually felt easier with the boat seemingly cutting through the water with greater ease, am sure it won't feel like that by mile 25 on day 8! I also got to play with my new canoe wheels that I picked up at the weekend, they're just the job!

Had a phone call today from a lady at the Leicester Mercury and she was wanting details of what we were doing so that she could put a story in the paper, seems like the word is spreading!!

I will post again before setting off on Thursday with the route details but for now here are a couple of pictures from today, the first is of everything thats going on the trip, the second is of everything on the water!

T Minus 8 Days.

Tuesday 15 April 2008

Hi All

Well we are now one week away from setting sail and it’s fair to say that the nerves are starting to kick in a little bit! All I now think about is the trip and the size of the challenge we are taking on, it’s massive! I feel as ready as I’m ever going to be, all my kit is bought and ready to go and the transport to London is sorted, in many ways I wish we were getting going tomorrow, I really want to get it done now. We’ve been keeping one eye on the long range weather forecasts and it’s looking like we’ll be paddling in the wind and rain, typical!

Dave and I spent Friday night together in the swimming pool practicing getting in and out of boats so that we can get round the locks without falling in the water at every stop and also practicing rescuing each other should we go over in the middle of the Thames or worse still the middle of The Wash. It doesn’t look pretty but we can back in the boats from the water should we need to.

I have about 3 more sessions out on the water before we get going, one of which will be a test run with the boat fully loaded. I know Dave tried this at the weekend and found it to be ok, I weigh a bit more than Dave though and so I’m cautious that I might just sink, what a nightmare that’d be - anyway up Kate will be on standby with a camera and so some pictures will follow soon.

We have two routes in mind now, the ‘Plan A’ route which go’s out to the Wash and the ‘Plan B’ route which takes us up through Leicester along the Grand Union canal. Plan B is just in case the weather is bad and makes crossing The Wash too much of a risk. Before we leave I’ll post some accurate details of the routes and where we hope to get to each day so that you can follow our progress if you wish!

That’s about all for now!!

Adam

More donations

Saturday 12 April 2008

More great news! A chap called Jez Grice who runs a wine tasting club in St Albans ( he also runs a business,see link, selling wine ) is going to donate the voluntary entrance fees from his next event to our worthwhile cause.

Thank you very much, hic!

Wine and the Vine

Super Settees

Tuesday 8 April 2008

Saturday

Found myself on the canal again, two things struck me(not literately). The Sheffield and Tinsley canal reminds me of a scene from a star trek movie. About the genesis planet that experiences all kinds of weather within a short space of time (he's been at the canal water again editor),
I set off in mill pond calm, 10 minutes late rain drops start to fall, making beautiful bubbles on the surface as if a thousand fish were blowing bubbles from below. Then it got choppy, then 5 mins later the wind got up and we had waves. Then a klingon appeared on the starboard bow.

Point 2

Two things have always been a companion on the canal this last week , a 2 seater sofa and matching arm chair, not submerged but floating in up right position.
Now because of rising sea levels are all settees designed to float? I know they have a fire resistant mark on them , but should they have a flood resistant mark? If interested they are burgundy red, buyer must arrange collection.

SUNDAY

I am doing the canoe safety test , this is week two where we get to rescue each other from the water, chilly or what in the summer.
So what greets us on this day. A covering of snow and ice cold water, a few dips in the water gives me brain freeze and i have a flash back that i have said i will canoe 300 miles . But at least the flying unicorns have stopped.

Finally - I OFFICIALLY DECLARE MYSELF READY TO GO, ALL CHECKS ARE DONE, ALL KIT IS READY. DEFCON 1.

Dave

Full Steam Ahead........

Tuesday 1 April 2008

Hi All, hope you're well.

As Dave mentioned in one of his recent posts I've had some fantastic news and have been offered the chance to train to be a Train Driver, I'm chuffed to bits about this, what an amazing opportunity!

As Dave also mentioned, this does complicate the Kayak plan ever so slightly (as in quite a lot to be fair!). We'd been planning and training towards setting sail in July which was difficult enough however as my driver training starts in May we'll now be setting sail much much earlier and we are now literally a few weeks as opposed to a few months away from getting going!

It's fair to say that this really up's the pace! We've both been out shopping like mad for all of the kit we need (tents, sleeping bags etc) and of course it's going to be a lot colder going now as opposed to July so we've had to factor that in when buying stuff (we've gone for the eskimo range!). We've also had to re-look at tide times for some parts of our route and to stay on schedule it looks like we'll be doing some paddling through the night, could be interesting.

Every spare moment is also now being spent in the boat training like mad! There is no doubt that paddling into the wind in bad weather is hard work but it's getting easier and my arm muscles are generally not on fire every day now! I'm using a stretch of the River Soar near me at Birstall to train and it's exactly one mile in length between two locks, you have seriously no idea how boring this stretch of water is becoming after paddling back and forth up it 10-15 times a session - I've even starting racing a stray tennis ball that I found floating down river in the current, it's like a game of Pooh sticks between me and the ball, I've drawn a face on the ball and called him Wilson......'It's OK Kate, I'll get the door, It's the men in white jackets for me'.

All for now

Adam

Krazy Kayaks