Was up early this morning again. Peter and Isobel were going whitewater rafting again and I was going on a training ride.
As Peter needed the car I had sent a text to a friend who is our support rider, asking for a lift. Richard and his partner Jan and Richard's daughter turned up spot on time. Jan is our support driver. Becky was along for the ride.
It was a lovely sunny morning and I was looking forward to the ride. Only four of us turned out despite the fact that it was supposed to be the last 'dress rehearsal' before the actual ride. There was Richard and myself and the two boys we are supporting, Neil and David. Mike our long suffering leader was suffering from a dislocated toe which he tells us he did on the beach on holiday!
However the first hill we came to I felt like my legs were empty. Don't know if it was the aftermath of the shock of yesterday or what but I struggled up and then my chain fell off (for the second time today).
We got to Bolton Abbey in really good time and met up with Mike, Jan and Becky. A cup of coffee, a scone and a chat and we were off back again. By this time the sky had clouded over. I set off leading the group so that we kept the pace down to a reasonable level.
When we got to a fairly protracted hill I told the lads to overtake me as it was evident that I was going to be slower than them. I started losing ground after that and knew my muscles weren't playing ball with me. When we met up with the support crew again it was pouring with rain. I decided to bail out of the ride then, one, for myself and two, so that I didn't hold them up in the rain. Twenty miles done.
The lads did well and got back safely.
I got home and had a bath and felt better for it.
Sunday 12 June 2011
Saturday 11 June 2011
11th June - Whitewater rafting
Can't believe I haven't blogged for a week but a quick synopsis goes like this:
Sunday, came down with a cold and felt horrible. Took the dogs out for about 4 mile walk. Monday, very snotty and sneezy. I was working but I had a three hour walk around a caravan park that was set on a steep hill. So by the time I had done I could really feel the pull in my calves. Tuesday I did little other than work.
Wednesday, it was dawgie walking again. Thursday, I cycled 22 miles and felt lots better than I had earlier in the week. Friday it was a lovely longer dog walk early on and I was going to go cycling again but just after I got home with the dogs it absolutely poured it down. I don't mind being out in it but I don't like setting off in it. As I was just getting over the cold it didn't seem like a good idea.
Today though, we went whitewater rafting. We had a good day but a bit dramatic in parts.
Briefing before heading down the river
Some pictures of the river from further down the course
The top of the weir
First time down the river on the raft this morning we flipped it at the top of a weir and we all fell out. I came to the surface with the boat on top of me and when I got to the surface again I couldn't get a breath (suspect it was the shock of the cold water) I didn't feel frightened thatI was in fast water just that I kept going under and couldn't get a breath properly. Our leader, Heath, grabbed me and took the brunt of the rocks and did his bad knee in again. He was brilliant! He held onto me until I was safe.
Some people we know were on the bank and had witnessed it and eventually fished me out of an eddy, where I was now standing reasonably safely. They were going to get me a lift back but I said I was going back in the raft or I might not do it again. So we set off again (my partner Peter and daughter Isobel, were in the raft too) with a shortage of paddles (other paddlers had recovered them further down) and we finished the course.
I went back down again a little later just to make sure I was okay with it.
Then I got talking to a woman who I didn't know and ended up walking her spaniel, Milly (for 'walking' see next paragraph).
Milly's 'mum' on the river
Then Peter went down the course in his own kayak and capsized but set off again. He got to the weir, came down the first part, capsized and came out of the boat down the next part of the weir. He got out alright but his boat and paddle carried on. I ran/walked down the course with Milly, the spaniel, to see what happened to the boat and by the time I got to the end it had been recovered. I loaded it on the van, then r/w the 1.5 miles back to the top of the course.
Peter on the left, near the top of the river
Peter, paddling on down quite happily
At the top of the weir
Ooops, got that wrong
Meanwhile Isobel managed numerous trips down the course with friends (the guy who was our leader, the first time down, Heath and his son, Josh, that is) and she ended up 'swimming' four times and loved every minute.
Heath is at the back of the boat guiding it. Isobel is the one with the black helmet and pink shorts. They were having fun surfing one of the little weirs
We are all a bit battered and bruised but we've had a great day and those two are going back tomorrow for more. I'm cycling!
Sunday, came down with a cold and felt horrible. Took the dogs out for about 4 mile walk. Monday, very snotty and sneezy. I was working but I had a three hour walk around a caravan park that was set on a steep hill. So by the time I had done I could really feel the pull in my calves. Tuesday I did little other than work.
Wednesday, it was dawgie walking again. Thursday, I cycled 22 miles and felt lots better than I had earlier in the week. Friday it was a lovely longer dog walk early on and I was going to go cycling again but just after I got home with the dogs it absolutely poured it down. I don't mind being out in it but I don't like setting off in it. As I was just getting over the cold it didn't seem like a good idea.
Today though, we went whitewater rafting. We had a good day but a bit dramatic in parts.
Briefing before heading down the river
Some pictures of the river from further down the course
The top of the weir
First time down the river on the raft this morning we flipped it at the top of a weir and we all fell out. I came to the surface with the boat on top of me and when I got to the surface again I couldn't get a breath (suspect it was the shock of the cold water) I didn't feel frightened thatI was in fast water just that I kept going under and couldn't get a breath properly. Our leader, Heath, grabbed me and took the brunt of the rocks and did his bad knee in again. He was brilliant! He held onto me until I was safe.
Some people we know were on the bank and had witnessed it and eventually fished me out of an eddy, where I was now standing reasonably safely. They were going to get me a lift back but I said I was going back in the raft or I might not do it again. So we set off again (my partner Peter and daughter Isobel, were in the raft too) with a shortage of paddles (other paddlers had recovered them further down) and we finished the course.
I went back down again a little later just to make sure I was okay with it.
Then I got talking to a woman who I didn't know and ended up walking her spaniel, Milly (for 'walking' see next paragraph).
Milly's 'mum' on the river
Then Peter went down the course in his own kayak and capsized but set off again. He got to the weir, came down the first part, capsized and came out of the boat down the next part of the weir. He got out alright but his boat and paddle carried on. I ran/walked down the course with Milly, the spaniel, to see what happened to the boat and by the time I got to the end it had been recovered. I loaded it on the van, then r/w the 1.5 miles back to the top of the course.
Peter on the left, near the top of the river
Peter, paddling on down quite happily
At the top of the weir
Ooops, got that wrong
Meanwhile Isobel managed numerous trips down the course with friends (the guy who was our leader, the first time down, Heath and his son, Josh, that is) and she ended up 'swimming' four times and loved every minute.
Heath is at the back of the boat guiding it. Isobel is the one with the black helmet and pink shorts. They were having fun surfing one of the little weirs
We are all a bit battered and bruised but we've had a great day and those two are going back tomorrow for more. I'm cycling!
Saturday 4 June 2011
4th June
Bear woke me up this morning at 5.4am as he wanted to go out. He's very forceful when he wants something so after jumping on me and barking enough to wake the street up.
I felt strangely tired this morning which is unusual for me in a morning. Having said that I knew last night that I was starting with a cold so I assume this was the reason. I decided we were going to the car boot sale this morning. Isobel and I love them and this one is usually quite good. As it has been warm and sunny for the last couple of days it was very busy this morning. Strangely there was very little for us today though. Isobel got a new pair of black canvas trainers for £1 and I got a couple of pairs of Silkies tights for 50p per pair (they are good quality and are usually around £4.50 per pair). Having said that it was a good walk, lol.
This afternoon we went down to Oakwell Hall with the kites. We recently bought these on Ebay and one needed repairing. The strings were overstretched onit so Peter had sorted it out. There were three of us and two kites. One is about 2 metres, the other is 3.6 metres. We started off with the smaller one and although it flew it kept collapsing (think defective parachute) but Peter blamed it on Isobel's technique. I had a go bout the sun was just where the kite was flying so it was blinding. So there was a lot of running backwards and forwards to retrieve the landed kite, untwist it and set it off again.
Meanwhile Peter got the other kite out and had to do a bit of macrame to sort out the strings. The first two times it went up it twisted or a line popped off but he managed to sort that out and then took to flying it. This one is flown with a bar rather than two separate handles. After a while he shouted me across to take over and boy was there some power behind it. It didn't take me off my feet but is did pull me across the field several times. When my arms were aching I passed it over to Isobel and it really did drag her across the field both on her feet and on her knees. Peter took over again and this time it yanked him on to the floor and how he held on to that bar I do not know!
So a couple of hours later we packed up and went home. Never let anyone tell you that power kite flying is a genteel sport. It is more like Pilates with fresh air.
I have now developed a full blown cold, headache, sneezing, runny nose and ultra tired. It's unusual for me to get a cold and I hate it when I do.
I felt strangely tired this morning which is unusual for me in a morning. Having said that I knew last night that I was starting with a cold so I assume this was the reason. I decided we were going to the car boot sale this morning. Isobel and I love them and this one is usually quite good. As it has been warm and sunny for the last couple of days it was very busy this morning. Strangely there was very little for us today though. Isobel got a new pair of black canvas trainers for £1 and I got a couple of pairs of Silkies tights for 50p per pair (they are good quality and are usually around £4.50 per pair). Having said that it was a good walk, lol.
This afternoon we went down to Oakwell Hall with the kites. We recently bought these on Ebay and one needed repairing. The strings were overstretched onit so Peter had sorted it out. There were three of us and two kites. One is about 2 metres, the other is 3.6 metres. We started off with the smaller one and although it flew it kept collapsing (think defective parachute) but Peter blamed it on Isobel's technique. I had a go bout the sun was just where the kite was flying so it was blinding. So there was a lot of running backwards and forwards to retrieve the landed kite, untwist it and set it off again.
Meanwhile Peter got the other kite out and had to do a bit of macrame to sort out the strings. The first two times it went up it twisted or a line popped off but he managed to sort that out and then took to flying it. This one is flown with a bar rather than two separate handles. After a while he shouted me across to take over and boy was there some power behind it. It didn't take me off my feet but is did pull me across the field several times. When my arms were aching I passed it over to Isobel and it really did drag her across the field both on her feet and on her knees. Peter took over again and this time it yanked him on to the floor and how he held on to that bar I do not know!
So a couple of hours later we packed up and went home. Never let anyone tell you that power kite flying is a genteel sport. It is more like Pilates with fresh air.
I have now developed a full blown cold, headache, sneezing, runny nose and ultra tired. It's unusual for me to get a cold and I hate it when I do.
Friday 3 June 2011
3rd June
We were up early this morning as Isobel had to go for her MMR. There was a lot of uncertainty around the jab when she was a baby and I read up as much as I could about it. Right or wrong I decided not to let her have it. I know the doctor who caused the uncertainty has since been discredited but I stood my decision as I thought that giving a tiny baby three diseases to tackle was too much. She is 14 now and fit and healthy so I do not have the same feeling about it.
Anyway I digress. We decided we were going to go somewhere, anywhere, today. We set off and drove through Halifax and Ripponden and then I had the idea to go to Chester. So we joined the motorway and was soon on the outskirts of Chester. A park and ride was going to be the best idea as I didn't fancy trying to find a parking area and knew that it wouldn't be cheap anyway.
The park and ride was located next to Chester Zoo and was very cheap at £1.70 for me and free for Isobel. Even better was that a man had bought two tickets in error and sold me his spare for £1!
We were soon in Chester and we walked to the end of the first street with a few intermissions into charity shops. Then we got onto one of the main shopping streets. The shoes I had on were flat but were cutting across my foot. A wander into Lush meant we came out nearly £20 worse off but had had some interesting demos. We eventually got to the end of the parade of shops where there was a Primark. During a little trip around there I found some more comfy shoes for only £4. Crossing the road we went to Pizza Hut for our lunch.
Isobel then stuffed her self and ended up what we in Yorkshire call 'pogged' or full to bursting. I was a bit more disciplined and ate just enough to satisfy my appetite without going over the top.
The we walked some more as I now had comfy shoes on my feet! There are a lot of interesting smaller boutiques so I had to keep Isobel out of the multis that she could visit anywhere.
I was pleasantly surprised by the place as I found more places than I have ever done before. We headed back to the bus stop and got back to the car in 30 degree heat. The drive back home was peppered with slow traffic but we didn't do too badly at all.
We arrived home at 6.30pm ish. I got changed and then we went to the canoe club at the pool. So my final bit of exercise was 1.5 hours of paddling up and down the pool.
Anyway I digress. We decided we were going to go somewhere, anywhere, today. We set off and drove through Halifax and Ripponden and then I had the idea to go to Chester. So we joined the motorway and was soon on the outskirts of Chester. A park and ride was going to be the best idea as I didn't fancy trying to find a parking area and knew that it wouldn't be cheap anyway.
The park and ride was located next to Chester Zoo and was very cheap at £1.70 for me and free for Isobel. Even better was that a man had bought two tickets in error and sold me his spare for £1!
We were soon in Chester and we walked to the end of the first street with a few intermissions into charity shops. Then we got onto one of the main shopping streets. The shoes I had on were flat but were cutting across my foot. A wander into Lush meant we came out nearly £20 worse off but had had some interesting demos. We eventually got to the end of the parade of shops where there was a Primark. During a little trip around there I found some more comfy shoes for only £4. Crossing the road we went to Pizza Hut for our lunch.
Isobel then stuffed her self and ended up what we in Yorkshire call 'pogged' or full to bursting. I was a bit more disciplined and ate just enough to satisfy my appetite without going over the top.
The we walked some more as I now had comfy shoes on my feet! There are a lot of interesting smaller boutiques so I had to keep Isobel out of the multis that she could visit anywhere.
I was pleasantly surprised by the place as I found more places than I have ever done before. We headed back to the bus stop and got back to the car in 30 degree heat. The drive back home was peppered with slow traffic but we didn't do too badly at all.
We arrived home at 6.30pm ish. I got changed and then we went to the canoe club at the pool. So my final bit of exercise was 1.5 hours of paddling up and down the pool.
2nd June
After a good start yesterday we were being very lazy yesterday and didn't do a great deal until after lunch.
Then I decided both Isobel and I were going out no matter what. We set off with the dogs and went across the road onto the moor. After about 10 minutes of ball throwing and catching with the dogs we set off for the walk properly. It was very hot and the poor dogs were panting like mad.
We had to drop in at the post office to post a small package but then we carried on down the fields. Thankfully there were no farm animals in any of the fields we had to cross so both the dogs were off the leads. The minute we hit the first field they both ran downhill to the stream where they had a drink and Evie wallowed in the water and the mud. Bear just walked down the middle of the stream.
We crossed three fields where both dogs ran after the bunnies never once even nearly catching them. A last bit of waste ground had lots of the furry bundles giving the dogs a run for their money. Then it was uphill to a road, across the road, up a track and back into our village.
Approx 4 miles walked in total in quite some heat.
Then I decided both Isobel and I were going out no matter what. We set off with the dogs and went across the road onto the moor. After about 10 minutes of ball throwing and catching with the dogs we set off for the walk properly. It was very hot and the poor dogs were panting like mad.
We had to drop in at the post office to post a small package but then we carried on down the fields. Thankfully there were no farm animals in any of the fields we had to cross so both the dogs were off the leads. The minute we hit the first field they both ran downhill to the stream where they had a drink and Evie wallowed in the water and the mud. Bear just walked down the middle of the stream.
We crossed three fields where both dogs ran after the bunnies never once even nearly catching them. A last bit of waste ground had lots of the furry bundles giving the dogs a run for their money. Then it was uphill to a road, across the road, up a track and back into our village.
Approx 4 miles walked in total in quite some heat.
Wednesday 1 June 2011
1st June
Well I have managed to sleep the whole of May it seems as my blog hasn't a single entry for May.
Anyway, I am doing a Juneathon which is like the Janathon I did in er, January and I will be trying to do some form of exercise every day in June.
Blogs are always better if you can add photos as the pictures illustrate the words and the words bring the pictures to life. However my camera has decided to pack in so I apologise for lack of photos. (Stop press I did manage to take a few of the Whitewater course on my phone so have now added them)
As it is school holidays, my daughter Isobel and I decided to go to the Lido in Ilkley. It wasn't a particularly warm day and when we got there there didn't seem to be many cars in the car park. Ha, must remember to check opening times before setting off. It didn't open until 11.30 so with an hour to kill we went into Ilkley town centre then returned at a more appropriate time. By this time it was a mixture of sunny and overcast and there was a total of three hardy souls in the lido. Not a wonder to be honest. I got in and paddled ankle deep and quickly got out again, repeat twice! Then I got braver and went to thigh deep, then bit by bit I managed to go deeper but when I tried to swim it took my breath away. Then I realised we had paid quite a bit of money to torture ourselves, perverse!
It took Isobel a bit longer to freeze her assets but we eventually ran up and down waist deep for a couple of lengths and then I started swimming. Once acclimatised I got into the lengths area which by now was empty and I did 10 lengths. Isobel wouldn't swim so was getting bored on her own so we chased each other around the pool for a while then got out and had a lovely warm shower.
We then went into Otley and got some lunch. Isobel had been getting texts from some lads she knows through canoeing. They were up at Washburn which is about 7 miles from Otley. It's just below a reservoir and various groups can pay for the reservoir to release water for a guaranteed whitewater course. Our canoe club will be doing it next weekend. So I said we would go up to see them. The lads were surprised and delighted that she turned up (she seems to be a bit of a siren at the moment so they are like moths to a flame.
She walked the full length of the water course with one of the guys and got a lift back up. So I walked most of the course and walked back again, this took me about an hour so I reckon about three miles in all.
The lads asked her to go down the whitewater course on the raft but she refused at first although she has done it many times before. Eventually she agreed and borrowed the gear, rash vest, wetsuit, wet boots, b.a. and helmet from various people and off she went.
After what seemed like an age she returned in the van. In the meantime I had read the local paper from front to back, read the supplement, attempted the crossword, read a magazine and had been for a coffee. She then announced she was going down again. I love it when she does these things but I was envious as I had no gear.
Someone from our canoe club arrived and he asked me to go down the course in the raft but I had to decline due to no gear. I'm a big lass so it was doubtful anyone would have any spare gear that would fit me. I would have so loved to have had the opportunity.
So after another eternity had passed Isobel arrived back. We eventually got home at 8.30pm.
Anyway, I am doing a Juneathon which is like the Janathon I did in er, January and I will be trying to do some form of exercise every day in June.
Blogs are always better if you can add photos as the pictures illustrate the words and the words bring the pictures to life. However my camera has decided to pack in so I apologise for lack of photos. (Stop press I did manage to take a few of the Whitewater course on my phone so have now added them)
As it is school holidays, my daughter Isobel and I decided to go to the Lido in Ilkley. It wasn't a particularly warm day and when we got there there didn't seem to be many cars in the car park. Ha, must remember to check opening times before setting off. It didn't open until 11.30 so with an hour to kill we went into Ilkley town centre then returned at a more appropriate time. By this time it was a mixture of sunny and overcast and there was a total of three hardy souls in the lido. Not a wonder to be honest. I got in and paddled ankle deep and quickly got out again, repeat twice! Then I got braver and went to thigh deep, then bit by bit I managed to go deeper but when I tried to swim it took my breath away. Then I realised we had paid quite a bit of money to torture ourselves, perverse!
It took Isobel a bit longer to freeze her assets but we eventually ran up and down waist deep for a couple of lengths and then I started swimming. Once acclimatised I got into the lengths area which by now was empty and I did 10 lengths. Isobel wouldn't swim so was getting bored on her own so we chased each other around the pool for a while then got out and had a lovely warm shower.
We then went into Otley and got some lunch. Isobel had been getting texts from some lads she knows through canoeing. They were up at Washburn which is about 7 miles from Otley. It's just below a reservoir and various groups can pay for the reservoir to release water for a guaranteed whitewater course. Our canoe club will be doing it next weekend. So I said we would go up to see them. The lads were surprised and delighted that she turned up (she seems to be a bit of a siren at the moment so they are like moths to a flame.
She walked the full length of the water course with one of the guys and got a lift back up. So I walked most of the course and walked back again, this took me about an hour so I reckon about three miles in all.
The lads asked her to go down the whitewater course on the raft but she refused at first although she has done it many times before. Eventually she agreed and borrowed the gear, rash vest, wetsuit, wet boots, b.a. and helmet from various people and off she went.
After what seemed like an age she returned in the van. In the meantime I had read the local paper from front to back, read the supplement, attempted the crossword, read a magazine and had been for a coffee. She then announced she was going down again. I love it when she does these things but I was envious as I had no gear.
Someone from our canoe club arrived and he asked me to go down the course in the raft but I had to decline due to no gear. I'm a big lass so it was doubtful anyone would have any spare gear that would fit me. I would have so loved to have had the opportunity.
So after another eternity had passed Isobel arrived back. We eventually got home at 8.30pm.
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