PADDLER 102
PADDLER 102
LONGER DAYLIGHT HOURS
And then suddenly, we were into April, and the race was just around the corner. Luckily, we would benefit from a late Easter race date with the chance of reasonable weather and longer daylight hours. And as I said to Keiran on one of our last training paddles,“ At least we’ re both fit and healthy, and the wind will probably be behind us.” That, it turned out, was wishful thinking!
Easter Saturday morning, early hours, and we might as well start on the Lemsip immediately! We didn’ t have the best night ' s sleep and picking up colds with just days to spare was morale sapping.. Even the bloody wind was doing its best to turn this almost impossible challenge into a totally unachievable folly with easterly headwinds forecast for the whole weekend! But we’ re here now, and if we only just manage 10 miles down the canal, we might as well start.
This was our first encounter with the DW volunteer workforce, and what an amazing bunch they are. I want to give my complete and total thanks to all of you, from the young scout at Hungerford to the hard man at Teddington. You were fantastic – thank you.
WE SET OFF
At 08.30 and with a complete lack of confidence, we set off. Our support teams began their long-distance game of leapfrog. Phil and Chris, crew 336 paddling alongside us, became instant friends with their happy support crew providing us with extra provisions. And before you know it, we’ re passing through Newbury with Ivan and Carolyn cheering us on from the canal side beer garden! This is going OK, and despite no hint of flow, we seem to be on pace( be it a very slow one). We continue to Reading, and still, with a hint of daylight, we change clothes and tuck into a hearty stew and Pot Noodles – yum!