Tonight I am sitting in front of my PC tired, sore, sunburned and grinning Why might this be I hear you ask?

Tired well I have just finished my night shifts and at last count I have been awake for the past 31 hours.

Sore well I got a thumping in a sticky hole on a river today.

Sunburned well it was a lovely day apart from the wind, Bright sunshine and a day out in the fresh air in february excellent.

Grinning well I have paddled a new river today that I have never paddled before which is always a good thing. I have a tin of cold beer in front of which again is good and even though I had a OOB* experience today I feel I paddled well to day and pushed myself on a harder paddle. I also got to put my whitewater safety training into use bagging a paddling partner who also had an OOB* experience today.

Set out from work this morning all ready to get on the water heading for a new river. The Berriedale Water was the place of choice today and it was one that 2 out of the 4 paddlers had never done before. This river had nearly 9 miles of fairly continous whitewater with a few portages to make. Grade 2-5+ mostly grade 2 and 3 with a couple of 4s and 5s thrown in for good luck

* OOB = Out Of Boat