Exe - frozen, axe - stripped

The river Exe is frozen, we're posponing training- pub anyone?

Tom/ Rich


Well like the rest of the country our training is being hampered by the frozen everything.  So it'll be training in the gym.

So in the meantime I stripped the machine heads off my Stratocaster (yes it is left handed!) in order to give it a proper clean up before I put them back on tighter and restring it.

Tom

Let it snow

Big snow flakes- England will be closed this afternoon!

Ice Ice Baby

Because I'm informed that global warming is caused by carbon emissions from 4x4s. I'm going to buy 4.9 litre V8 Range Rover, if I can find one I'll go for the 6x6 conversion just to add to the CO2 I produce and make the planet a little warmer! I'm informed by my environmental advisor, who has a PhD in Cynicism, that this is correct.

Today the Kennet and Avon was more ice rink than canal! The plan today was to paddle up the Crofton Flight go the wrong way through the Bruce Tunnel and then come back in the right direction. The water temperature said otherwise.

Even the river at the pumping section had ice on it

We left the Crofton Flight and headed to Reading via Newbury. The plan here was to paddle from County Weir through the Oracle, down to Kennetmouth and finish at Dreadnought Reach.

With 4 standing waves at County, high water, fast flow and falling temperature I decided that this was not a good idea. If there were no playboaters out on the weir today then it must be a bad idea. The problem with high flow at County is that the current can push the boat back into the wall that you are trying to get away from.

Further down at Dreadnought Reach the Thames too was high and fast flowing. There was also a cutting easterly wind which made me cold, I've no idea what that would do to mortal paddlers from southern extraction! The landing stage here is usually at the same level as the concrete, not above it.

This evening Devizes was very cold but not totally frozen too.

Gallery of Ice

In reflection, todays window shopping was ok but not paddling does lose a training day but better that then not being able to paddle ever again.

Tom

Frost- very heavy

Frank Luzmore

LUZMORE K2 Race - Status at Friday 1st January - I have traveled the course today and spoken to the lock-keepers. It is highly unlikely that the river will drain sufficiently by Sunday to come off Red Boards. In addition, the weather forecast is for sub-zero temperatures, so the lock cuts will freeze. Apologies; Race is postponed to Sunday 17th January - Sean. . Current status: RACE IS POSTPONED TO SUNDAY 17th JANUARY.


I'm disappointed that we won't be racing on Sunday but understand the reasons why and do agree.


We'll find some unfrozen water and paddle on Sunday


Tom

Double locks - almost thawed

90

Happy new year to everyone.

If you have  a hangover I hope you enjoy it. I went wild last night and had half  litre of full fat Coke! My only decision this afternoon is whether I'm able to drive or not. No, not am I over the limit just am I able to drive

Well it's 90 days until the start of DW2010 and 2 days until our first race. If the water levels on the Thames keep dropping then the Frank Luzmore race should be on.

Anyway need to go and move some boats and v-bars around the South West

Tom