WYE WALK WHEN YOU CAN CANOE? 

MINUTES OF A SUMMER OFFICE WALK 9/7/99 

What could be more pleasant than a gentle canoe ride and an afternoon stroll around the Wye Valley?  How about water fights in turbulent rapids and a heavy plod in hot oppressive weather  -  well not quite!

This years main summer office walk began just 5 miles upstream from Hay on Wye, where around 19 intrepid professionals opted to try their skills at ‘2-man’ canoeing, most for the first time, before proceeding to the watering holes of Hay and returning by foot via the foothills of the Black Mountains.  The team consisted mainly of staff from Engineering Services, Leisure and Cultural Services and Stafford Borough Council, who meet up for a regular 3-monthly walk.

After a short, but adequate, induction to the art of canoeing by an instructor, 19 responsible canoeists, along with 3 obedient ducks, manoeuvred into position to set off in a rather dignified but untidy manner with a flurry of measured to fit, unbroken paddles.

It wasn’t long however before the bazookas appeared and the threatened water fights began.  Spike (Dave Fryer) had the biggest, whilst Tone (Sutton) exposed his wee effort! 

Graham Aukim had feared that this type of childish unruly behaviour might evolve at some stage.  Still, with a sense of humour he quickly accepted the inevitable and was determined to join in, wasn’t he?  Unfortunately, Graham managed to avoid the drowning he was planned to get from his colleagues, perhaps next time! 

Jam-jar (John Commins) took the option of the milk crate position in a three man canoe along with Dave Cartlidge and Tim (mines waterproof!) for stabilisation, as he was a poor swimmer.  It wasn’t long however before he was doing fish impressions in an attempt to survive in 2 feet of water whilst his companions were recovering the capsized boat.

The race was led by Keith Jackson and Keith Phillips who set up a mean gap to avoid getting soaked.  However, with an aggression never been seen before on the Wye and a combined effective rowing rhythm by Yup (Dave Stevens) and Mo (Kachfi) the pair were caught and received their deserved soak.  A team of onwatching schoolchildren and their tutors were well impressed!

The wildlife was plentiful with herons, kingfishers and sandmartins being spotted by Bins (John Skinner), and not forgetting the deep-sea monster in the guise of Dave Thacker reaping revenge for being assisted out of his boat!

After the disembarking at Hay came the short stroll to the local pub for a much deserved pint or two before the afternoons hot and testing 8 ½ mile march to get a glimpse of Lord Herefords Knob (How we looked forward to its sight).  The pollen level was at its highest unfortunately during the afternoon, glazing Graham’s vision of the knob, Mark Steffan’s sense of direction and enhancing the appeal of Spike by a frisky bullock (If only Nige (Nigel Pinfold) had ventured on this walk he may have deferred its attention!)

 Many of the entrepreneurs stayed the night, either in tents or in guesthouses.  Jam-jar and Dave C chose the ‘Skynless’ guesthouse (as the landlady from the advanced-booked accommodation had sadly passed away a few days earlier and an alternative had to be found).  However their choice was not without regret as their landlord, Bob, fully accommodated the boys and provided them with pink and blue napkins at breakfast. 

The evening passed away not without incident in the rear garden of the infamous Kinvers Public House, in the centre of Hay (Well recommended!)  Providing you order food before 9.30pm the service is tremendous.  After 9.30pm tables become leg-less and freshly prepared vegetarian pizzas are given added flavour with grass.  Some pizzas were even given generous toppings of chillies for the more discerning members of the party. 

Many, many thanks to Rob Belcher, of Leisure and Cultural Services, for getting this walk together, it couldn’t have been easy, and to Graham for the original idea and initiating the proceedings.  Here’s to next years summer walk, which is rumoured to include pony trekking!!!!  However, the thought of wobbling along on the back of a flatulent and neurotic nag may be too painful for some to endure.