Splashing about on the river

Yesterday D and I spent the afternoon with our friend James messing about on the Cam in James' canadian canoe. It's a bit like the one in the photo except James' is green and made from kevlar (I think it would've been even better if made from wood, though it's very nice anyway and it does have 1 wooden oar). I didn't take any photos because I didn't take my camera for fear of it getting wet; I might take a disposable one next time, then it wouldn't matter. It's different from punting because you can go faster, but you can't fit as many people in! I was sitting on the floor of the boat in the middle, whilst the boys did all the hard work rowing - it was bliss.

Because I was sitting so low down James said I was sitting in the safest place i.e less likely to fall in than they were! I got slightly sunburnt legs from sitting with them outstretched in the canoe... They rowed all the way to Baits Bite Lock (we set off from near the Fort St George) where we stopped and had a picnic and watched a boat going through the lock. On the way back we stopped and picked the most perfect looking juicy brambles from a bush overhanging the river. I think I'm going to make an apple and blackcurrant crumble (even if that is more a winter dish)

I love the river, people always seem so much friendlier and are more likely to say hello. Whenever I've been to Baits Bite Lock (last year we walked all the way to Clayhithe and stopped there on the way) there's nearly always a boat going through and we always see the strange man jogging in a shirt and tie (once he was wearing a trilby as well!)

When we got back we had well-earned pints (well for the boys at least, doing all that rowing!) at the Fort St George and bumped into Tom (photographer) and his girlfriend.

The boys are thinking of going on an even longer expedition next time (maybe I'll even try rowing for a bit - though we wouldn't get very far with me rowing i'm sure...)

D and I are going to Bath later this afternoon as he has a job interview there tomorrow, I'm going along to have a look around whilst he's being interviewed (it's actually one of those assessment centre days 9-5). My Mum says we went when I was little but I can't remember, so maybe i'll post some photos of Bath when we get back.