Gwilym's Adventure Blog

Not much to say as about to drive north. Sunny, warm and working with the Year 2 College students. Capsize drills, self rescue and rescuing others was the theme of the day.

Back out with Year 1 Level 3 Outdoor Students today on the canal in kayaks. We had a mixture of sit on top and closed cockpit kayaks and looked at improving their paddling skills in boats they haven't spent much (if any) time in. Challenge of the day was Kate swimming trying not to kick up the mud before duck diving to rescue her sunglasses

Today I headed down to The Yealm Estuary with Carol to help her move her yacht round to Plymouth to be lifted out. A great sunny day but with a NE wind meaning it was a motoring job as we were heading into wind for 90% of the time. It was great to be back on a yacht (I do miss mine) and entering Plymouth which was my home port for 3 years.

Last week whilst I was away I ordered an  Endless River Canoe Sail Kit  which was here when I got home so I spent some time fitting it today. It was very easy and quick (apart from the waiting for glue to go off) 10 mins - Open Packaging - It was well wrapped. Included is the sail, pole, ropes, thwart, mast foot and glue. Strangely no instructions but it isn't that hard. 5 mins - measure up the thwart and mark it up 1 hr - drive to parents (2 miles away), get Dad to cut thwart, drink coffee, return home. I didn't want to cut it by hand but I guess you could if you wanted to. 5 mins - drill holes in gunwales and thwart, fit bolts 2 mins - rough up surface and put glue on mast foot/canoe 4 hrs - wait for glue to go off 2 mins - add more glue to mast foot and place where wanted 2 mins - set the mast to check foot is in the right place 2 mins - set the whole rig up and tie ropes to sails. 24hrs - let the glue go off completely So, actual real...

After and early wake up, it was a quick High Ropes session before the long drive south back to Bridgwater College to unpack and go home for some sleep.

Yesterday morning started with a Raft Building exercise before the students headed out into the Aran Mountains for their expedition. A great weather day including an ascent of Aran Fawddwy before camping at a Llyn. This morning after an early start we walked out and got back to the centre for lunch before an afternoon climbing at Barmouth Slabs. Whilst Dan and Rhys took most of the students Top Roping I took a couple aside to teach some leading in the sun.

On the second day of the Mountain Skills course for Bridgwater College students we went into Llanberis Pass to look at navigation, emergency procedures and environmental issues. The day ended with a visit to the Llanberis MRT who kindly showed us around and explained their call out procedure.