I'd like to thank everyone that took part in this discussion, even those that were rather blunt. My mistake was a simple one and all that was necessary to put me right was to point out why I was wrong. I accept I was wrong and I will do everything I can to make up for it. Glad this looks like it wi...

I am not allowed to walk into your living room without... A living room is different because there is no implied right of access. To my knowledge, access to car parks is implicit by their nature (unless stated otherwise). Actually parking there is a slightly different matter and I'm not sure where ...

The thread seemed to go downhill when you joined in though :)... how's that for a compromise? The path to compromise only begins with belligerent insults if you are Donald Trump and Kim Jong-un. Otherwise, it's a guaranteed way for things to end in bitter disagreement - something of which I'm sure ...

You're clearly still very cross about what happened. What can we do to help you? I'm concerned rather than cross. I'm concerned because the OP made an innocent mistake and came on these forums to seek clarity from the paddling community. I believe they did so in good faith that people's responses w...

I’m calm :) Your usage of the 'smiley face' suggests otherwise... There is a sign at the entrance that says there’s a charge of £3 per person If there's a sign at the entrance stating explicitly what people are being charged for and how much it costs then great! Clearly there should be no confusion...

I think someone needs to have a fair and frank chat with you. Calm down pal. This has nothing to do with money. I always pay for my parking if there's a fee and I'm happy to do so. I also always ensure I provide custom to any businesses, including cafes, if I have benefited from their generosity (f...

she is perfectly within her rights to shut the gate on what is private property Unless explicitly stated otherwise, all members of the public can enter/exit the car park using the implied right of access. The 'land owner' has the right to withdraw the implied right of access, but must do so clearly...

They were scared and did what she said. I appreciate they may have been inexperienced/taken unawares, but this was a crucial mistake because it will only embolden the cafe owner to bully people for money - probably illegally. Indeed, had she phoned the DVLA, they would have told her to bugger off. ...

Thought for a moment this was going to be another case of someone claiming wetsuits are warmer when they're wet. Alas, no physics lecture today... I had the same problem when I used to use the cag/trousers combo. No way around it really. I know they're expensive, but drysuits really are life-changin...

Extensively played on this at lower levels and is fine if a little gnarly. Gets quite grippy when its bigger. Where about did you play - river left where the main flow is? What do you class as lower levels? I've walked past it when there's been no spillover and the only flow is river left, but coul...

Cheers Chris.

Yeah, think I might give it a miss. There are some nasty metal spikes in certain places that can be seen at low flows, and indeed possibly no way out if it did hold.

Has anyone ever played on the weir on the Tweed just up from Mertoun Bridge? Can't figure out whether it'd be fun or certain death. I'm a bit cautious of weirs - especially since I'd be by myself. https://media.ukriversguidebook.co.uk/uploads/77443/1542048568822-2057.png https://media.ukriversguideb...

Hey, I didn't swim - I rolled thank you! Yeah, Dave's right I think. G3 can definitely be made fun, especially in a playboat, but there's nothing quite like the excitement of looking at a rapid/feature that has a definitive line/requires a certain skill, psyching yourself up for it, then the feeling...

That was indeed a very motivational video, morsey - cheers!

This thread was actually worth starting even just to to talk to other people passionate about paddling again!

twicezero, I suppose I haven't got much to moan about given Ingrid's achievements!

Yes, I think risk aversion is definitely going to become more influential as time goes by and I become more "wise". Taking this two-year break has given me time to reflect on all the incredibly stupid things I used to do! NRB, the 'big trip' thing definitely hit me, too. I've tried to organise one f...

Thanks all for your responses. Jim and morsey, it's great to hear that you've both taken breaks and bounced back - gives me hope that I can do the same! Jim, you sound like you've had a particularly diverse paddling career. I think diversifying as you have would probably help with my overall skill, ...

That's a great quote, but I'm sort of more interested in real-world feasibility than I am in fairly arbitrary motivational phrases. That's why I'm asking if anyone else has been in a similar position, and what their advice would be. I'm also open to genuine, constructive advice from experienced padd...

Thanks twopigs and, err... cheers morsey! I'd always planned on branching out as you suggest, but I didn't see that coming so soon! I know if I hadn't taken the two-year break then I'd still be improving and pushing my grade, but I'm really curious about the feasibility of "getting back on-track" (i...

Hi all, I'm 30 now. I discovered kayaking in my twenties and it quickly became my main passion in life. I've paddled a lot throughout the last decade (mostly G4 with the odd bit of G5 when I was feeling bold), but for the last couple of years I haven't been able to do any proper boating due to locat...

Many thanks both!

The Slovenia trip sounds good!

Hi all, Due to work I wasn't able to get a kayaking holiday earlier this year, but I've got time now in Sep/Oct/Nov. Does anyone know of any trips I could join - either joining a group who are happy for me to come, or a more commercially run thing? I'm based in Liverpool but happy to travel wherever...

Update.

These paddles have still not been found. Please get in touch if you see them!

Hi Ben,

That's fantastic - thanks for getting in touch!

I've sent you an email.

I'm based in Liverpool (part of Liverpool University Canoe Club).

Please let me know when's a good time to pick up the paddle!

Many thanks,

Neil

Hi all, I'm buying a new paddle to use for river running/creeking in the UK and I'm wondering what the current consensus is on paddle feather. I've always had 45 degrees before, but I see a lot of newer paddles reducing this - what's the logic behind this trend, and do people buy into it? I'll be go...

Hi all, After a couple of nasty swims on the Lledr yesterday, my friend and I both lost our paddles. They are: 1. Mithcell Blades Jaguar (blades blue on one side, black on the other); 2. VE Carbon (black with orange tape on the shaft). If anyone sees either of them please give me a shout. I've been ...