Thursday, November 30, 2006

Great Sheffield Flood

On a recent DIY orientated weekend, we allowed ourselves a break by going on a late afternoon wander around the nearby Dale Dyke Dam. Despite having lived in Sheffield for 25 years I've never visited this dam - the cause of the great Sheffield flood of 1864.
The outlet of the dam doesn't look like it could cause much damage.
250 people died in the flood, caused by the catastrophic failure of the newly built dam.


More information on the Great Flood can be found here.

A very nice walk it was too, even if it was a bit damp.

Catch up.

Have failed to keep this updated recently due to lack of enthusiam, and actually having some work to do at work!!

Whats been happening;
  • We visited the Tyne Tour, paid attention in the expedition talks, watched the fireworks, had a most excellent curry (ta Matt) then got very drunk. Oh I also kicked Billy's ass - several times.
  • Went boating on the Tyne on the Sunday.
  • I've sold my play boat to Adsy - heard he was (Back) looping in the Lakes last weekend - Nice.
Although he's not paid me yet. Slacker.
  • We actually went boating, paddled the Tee's (High Force to Low Force) at a nice level with NUCC. We fished out a suicidal nutter who paddled Horse shoe weir and un-surprisingly got a beating.
  • Then had a nice days biking North of Newcastle with old Scout mate Davish, Katie and friends. It was blooming freezing with a swift snowball fight before heading down the hill to the tea shop.

  • Si asked me to be his best man, I accepted, I got very drunk.

Unfortunately no pictures worth posting of the above events.

Friday, November 03, 2006

Norway.

Norway.

A couple of weeks ago we had a flying visit to Norway. It rained for most of the weekend so we did a lot of driving and looking. We managed a few strolls in-between showers, up a couple of hills and round a typical Norwedish coastal town.


Despite not having any paddling kit with us we still checked out a couple of interesting looking granite bed rivers.
I have still not managed to see any wild Trolls or Elk so will have to return for another visit. Sarah's decided we won't be living there at any time in the future due to the lack of people!
And we discovered that in October the rivers and fjords are getting a bit too cold for washing in whilst wild camping!!
Despite the rubbish contrast and grumpy face we did have a lovely time.

Almost forgot - Hertz kindly upgraded us to a Volvo estate - yay.

We have now received a bill from them for 'extra' items - doh!

Sandy.

Thursday, November 02, 2006

Preparation........

Just starting to think about getting organised for the Tyne Tour this weekend.
BBC weather are predicting cold but clear weather. Theres a couple of interesting sounding talks on Saturday night including one about kayaking in Madagascar which Sarah has a particular interest in.
So we'll be slumming it in the Post Van, trying to avoid low flying fireworks and high flying drunken students.
Hopefully catching up with lots of friends from SUCC, NUCC, Bristol, and all the other stragglers you tend to meet in the kayaking world.
A bimble down the Tyne on Sunday and back to Newcastle for Tea and Cake.
Sounds like a super weekend!!!!