“ Dawn starts to break, and it’ s still a very long way to go, and the maths isn’ t quite adding up. We’ re behind schedule, and at this pace, we won’ t get to Teddington in time.”
PADDLER 103
HUNGRY, TIRED, AND FULL OF PAIN
Psychologically, paddling up towards midnight seems reasonable, but everything changes as you move into the early hours. It’ s still a very long way to go. I’ m starting to get cold while Keiran is hungry, tired, and full of pain. We missed one of our support team checkpoints and are now out of water. We’ re definitely not at our best as we near 03.00. But then a light appears and a shout, and we’ re back in touch with Lee and Mel. Hot food and I put on every layer of clothing they can give me.
Small things really count at this stage. Messages are relayed from friends at home as they watch our progress on the event tracking system – the last of the hot soup from Nicola. Zerran keeps tabs on painkillers and cold remedies. Mel keeps an eye on the clock. Lee cycled along the bank to find and guide us into the next portage.
HALLUCINATING
Dawn starts to break, and it’ s still a very long way to go, and the maths isn’ t quite adding up. We’ re behind schedule, and at this pace, we won’ t get to Teddington in time. Another K2 catches us up, but we stay on their wash and pick up our pace just enough, perhaps? Keiran shouts at me to avoid a ship he hallucinates is bearing down on us whilst I’ m seeing people on the river bank who aren’ t really there.
There are two more locks before Teddington. Keiran is at his lowest point and serious when he says he can’ t go on, but we try to make the next lock. At Molesey Lock, a marshal’ s look says,“ I understand,” and his kind words of support give us just a little lift, maybe just enough to keep us going.“ Dad, I can make it to Teddington, but that’ s it,” is Keiran’ s promise.
“ Dawn starts to break, and it’ s still a very long way to go, and the maths isn’ t quite adding up. We’ re behind schedule, and at this pace, we won’ t get to Teddington in time.”
PADDLER 103