Gwilym's Adventure Blog

 A nice day afloat in a canoe near Kingsbridge.

A short but sociable tandem paddle on The River Parrett at Langport this morning before heading for a pub lunch. In all fairness, the lunch was far better than the paddling but it was impressive to see all the flooding around the fields and we could have easily left the river and floated around the fields all day

Today I was working for Plymouth College overseeing some 6th form students running paddling activities for Year 7. A nice relaxed day and nowhere near as cold as I expected. It was great to watch the older students take the lead from greeting the younger ones, loading boats and minibus, running sessions and packing up all the kit as the end.

A busy day for Bridgwater and Taunton College students today as after an overnight camp at the base of the Aran ridge, we woke early to a sunrise over the hills before returning to Glan Llyn for lunch. During the afternoon, they undertook some Canoe orienteering and then had fun on a Giant SUP followed by some bowling. Sadly that nearly ends our week here in southern Snowdonia. All we have left is a short High Ropes session tomorrow morning before driving back down to the college.

This is the second week I have been working for Wet and High Adventures Ltd managing an activity week for a group of apprentices from Bridgwater and Taunton College .  Only 30 clients, and 7 instructors this time. Still 4 minibuses and 2 trailers to sort out. Here are a few pics of what they got upto We had groups out kayaking and canoeing, mountain biking and on a mini expedition across Exmoor.

This week I have been working for Wet and High Adventures Ltd managing an activity week for a group of apprentices from Bridgwater and Taunton College .  As I had 42 clients, 9 instructors, 4 minibuses and 2 trailers to sort out I don't want to bore you with pictures of what I was doing so these are what the groups were getting upto whilst I was co-ordinating everything. We had groups out kayaking and canoeing, mountain biking and on a mini expedition across Exmoor.

Out on the Bridgwater Canal this afternoon with a small group of students. Warm and sunny (out of the wind) for a few hours of gentle paddling and a few games. Today I was working for Cannington Activity Centre running this groups whilst others were on High Ropes, Low Ropes and undertaking some Archery.

Another day of Tech Advice today for Cannington Activity Centre with some staff training on the Bridgwater and Taunton Canal. We looked at the use of the canal from the Docks to The Boat and Anchor including a number of access and egress options. We even managed a bit of improvised sailing (proof you should always carry a group shelter) on the way back

Out in some real mixed weather today, bright sunshine followed by rain/hail storms was the order of the day. My second year Bridgwater and Taunton College Outdoor Education students were running some sessions for my first years with a mix of tandem and solo paddling going on.

What a difference to Tuesday. Today was a warm, sunny day with little wind making for a great day afloat. My second year Bridgwater and Taunton College  Outdoor Students were running sessions for my first years. A bit of skills coaching in the morning followed by a trip in the afternoon was the order of the day and all took place with very little input from me needed.

After starting 2018 with a bout of flu, I was back on the water today with Bridgwater and Taunton College students as they start their assessed lessons leading and coaching each other.

L3 Outdoor Education students from Bridgwater and Taunton College afloat on the Exe today from Bolham down to Tiverton. Nice levels and other that a portage round the Salmon steps a great little jaunt with only one swim per tandem boat. Both swims in awkward places min you so had to work a little harder than yesterdays " Bimble on the Barle "

Out for a pootle down the Lower Dart today with Will, Hannah, Paul and Ben. A single blade day with both Open Canoes and OC1's for a lowish paddle down to the cafe for lunch. I had full intentions to practice some upstream work but the draw of coffee and food was too strong so that will be saved for another day.

Out and afloat in Brixham today for the 3rd and final day of the Advanced Canoe Leader Training course. Pretty blowy at the start of the day which made progress into wind a little difficult. We had some excitement with the solo sailing but typically (as always happens to me) at the end of the day, after we had rigged the full sail to get back, the wind dropped and it was a bit of a let down. We were followed by a couple of seals for most of the day and they were very interested in what we were up to. More likely thinking we were mad.