Welsh Rivers Guidebook ed.2 Research
Welsh Rivers Guidebook ed.2 Research
So, I am helping with the Chris Sladden's edition 2 - Welsh Rivers and I am writing a section on "Modern Welsh Kayaking, A History". Anyone got any input and snippets of info to see if that marries into my take and knowledge on the subject...
I am thinking that an entire book could probably be written however obviously that is too much, so to narrow it down I am suggesting "from the plastic era" onwards?
Any thoughts on specific events?
Any particular dates or developments stick out?
Particular locations of interest?
Any particular individuals of interest (not just ww kayak please, think slalom, WWR, rafting, canoe!)?
Significant advances in teaching or equipment related to Wales?
I have already written a large part but would like to ensure my info is correct and an interesting chapter to read as there are some great characters from the likes of Blain, Rowe, Hargreaves, Storry, Collins, Nesbit etc all the way through to the "young guns" of today!
Any suggestions welcome.
I am thinking that an entire book could probably be written however obviously that is too much, so to narrow it down I am suggesting "from the plastic era" onwards?
Any thoughts on specific events?
Any particular dates or developments stick out?
Particular locations of interest?
Any particular individuals of interest (not just ww kayak please, think slalom, WWR, rafting, canoe!)?
Significant advances in teaching or equipment related to Wales?
I have already written a large part but would like to ensure my info is correct and an interesting chapter to read as there are some great characters from the likes of Blain, Rowe, Hargreaves, Storry, Collins, Nesbit etc all the way through to the "young guns" of today!
Any suggestions welcome.
Re: Welsh Rivers Guidebook ed.2 Research
Fantastic phrase from the past, i'm frantically reading to find the page... any hints??Mark R wrote:Stiffen the sinews.
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Re: Welsh Rivers Guidebook ed.2 Research
From the celebrated 'Once more unto the breach' speech, from Shakespeare's Henry V Part III, 1599.
Once more unto the breach, dear friends, once more;
Or close the wall up with our English dead.
In peace there's nothing so becomes a man
As modest stillness and humility:
But when the blast of war blows in our ears,
Then imitate the action of the tiger;
Stiffen the sinews, summon up the blood...
Hi Chris
I hate to be the one to dampen the spirits about that phrase, but much as I respect the paddling author it rather pre dates Terry's use!
Cheers
Chris.
Once more unto the breach, dear friends, once more;
Or close the wall up with our English dead.
In peace there's nothing so becomes a man
As modest stillness and humility:
But when the blast of war blows in our ears,
Then imitate the action of the tiger;
Stiffen the sinews, summon up the blood...
Hi Chris
I hate to be the one to dampen the spirits about that phrase, but much as I respect the paddling author it rather pre dates Terry's use!
Cheers
Chris.
Re: Welsh Rivers Guidebook ed.2 Research
But before the sneaky playwright ripped it off, it originally came from Terry Storry's write-up of Chatea Queryas on the Guil in his French Alps guidebook.* I also enjoyed the bit about 'a graveyard of twisted and ruined canoes' on the banks of the Gyr, or somesuch.cswalker wrote:Fantastic phrase from the past, I'm frantically reading to find the page... any hints??Mark R wrote:Stiffen the sinews.
P.
* - some timescales may have been altered for dramatic licence.
Re: Welsh Rivers Guidebook ed.2 Research
I was sure that it was about a rapid on the Kettlewell to Linton section of the Wharfe.. Linton Falls maybe..
I don't have a book to hand though so am likely to be wrong.
I don't have a book to hand though so am likely to be wrong.
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Re: Welsh Rivers Guidebook ed.2 Research
I thought it was for the Glaslyn Gorge but my copy's at work and will have to check tomorrow.Poke wrote:I was sure that it was about a rapid on the Kettlewell to Linton section of the Wharfe.. Linton Falls maybe..
I don't have a book to hand though so am likely to be wrong.
Marvelous.
Good stuff Mr Walker!
Giles
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Re: Welsh Rivers Guidebook ed.2 Research
No, for the Glaslyn Gorge he said something along the lines of 'Look up from Pont Aberglaslyn, peer tentatively over the retaining wall or gaze brazenly from the catwalk on river left and you will join the many who have looked...
And left it for another day...'
This is paraphrased, as I lost my copy of British White Water over the past few years. What a description though. Sure to get everyone nicely tensed up and negative on their way to the river!
And left it for another day...'
This is paraphrased, as I lost my copy of British White Water over the past few years. What a description though. Sure to get everyone nicely tensed up and negative on their way to the river!
Re: Welsh Rivers Guidebook ed.2 Research
Having nothing better to do other than a dissertation and some essays i took some time to avoid doing these, and can assure you it Isn't any of the British rivers mentioned above.
however i'm not reading the whole British white water to find out what it is sorry
however i'm not reading the whole British white water to find out what it is sorry
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Re: Welsh Rivers Guidebook ed.2 Research
Just remembered - 'Stiffen the sinews and summon up the blood' was from his French Alps guide. I'm sure he's talking about Chateau Querays Gorge on the Guil.
Nuts, just realised Cornes was well ahead of me on that one, unsuprisingly. I don't remember seeing him use it in any other river description though.
Nuts, just realised Cornes was well ahead of me on that one, unsuprisingly. I don't remember seeing him use it in any other river description though.
Re: Welsh Rivers Guidebook ed.2 Research
Tom - do you instinctively igore me when I write as well as when I speak? If so, I might have to give some thought to whether I'm in the right job here...
Edit: damn edits. Now we both look like a pair of monkeys...
Edit: damn edits. Now we both look like a pair of monkeys...
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Re: Welsh Rivers Guidebook ed.2 Research
I am sure I speak for many of us that would love to hear about Shaun, Fred and co on Swallow, Conwy and everything else Falls, how they decided who was going first, how busy the A+E department in Bangor was kept, etc. Predictable I know but appealing to the masses.
www.neviscanoes.co.ukA. Boater wrote:It's all Pierre's fault
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Re: Welsh Rivers Guidebook ed.2 Research
Where did you find that picture of Tom?Pete C. wrote: Now we both look like a pair of monkeys...
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Re: Welsh Rivers Guidebook ed.2 Research
I watched the video of Phil Blaine and Dave Crook's tandem open boat descent of Swallow Falls again on Sunday. Surely worth mentioning?
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Re: Welsh Rivers Guidebook ed.2 Research
All you guys keep an out out over this year for a book of classic tales from Wales. Daz Clarkson-King has already got the stories from the fact and fiction. It will be a great read!
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Re: Welsh Rivers Guidebook ed.2 Research
After a period of being relatively shorn, I am now growing the sideburns of power back, as it turns out.Paul Smith wrote:Where did you find that picture of Tom?Pete C. wrote: Now we both look like a pair of monkeys...
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Re: Welsh Rivers Guidebook ed.2 Research
I did. From start to finish, and actually enjoyed it. Assuming that my tastes are beyond reproach, that makes it better than Ulysses.Mark R wrote:Anyone read Daz's last book?
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Re: Welsh Rivers Guidebook ed.2 Research
Hi Chris
Hope your looking after Dave, what about some Dave Luke stories, too many to list, or Daz's descent of Penmachno Slides last year
Or the dead body found in the pool below Cobdens, when on closer inspection is was discovered to be a rescue annie doll from a wwsr course
Will there be any mention of the Llugwy source to sea in a day thats still to be completed
Hope your looking after Dave, what about some Dave Luke stories, too many to list, or Daz's descent of Penmachno Slides last year
Or the dead body found in the pool below Cobdens, when on closer inspection is was discovered to be a rescue annie doll from a wwsr course
Will there be any mention of the Llugwy source to sea in a day thats still to be completed
For coaching, guiding and top notch instruction, in the mountains and on rivers of North Wales
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Adam has now paddled all over the globe and has worked for numerous companies worldwide
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Re: Welsh Rivers Guidebook ed.2 Research
Hi Chris, if you want some notes on the Afon Cegin near Llandegai, Bangor, let me know can probably write something down for completeness factor
Adam
Adam
For coaching, guiding and top notch instruction, in the mountains and on rivers of North Wales
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Adam has now paddled all over the globe and has worked for numerous companies worldwide
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Re: Welsh Rivers Guidebook ed.2 Research
Hey Adam,adam_harmer wrote:Hi Chris, if you want some notes on the Afon Cegin near Llandegai, Bangor, let me know can probably write something down for completeness factor
Adam
If you have any notes, could you send them to me via email: pclissold@gmail.com
Thanks
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Re: Welsh Rivers Guidebook ed.2 Research
If you could take that big lie about the Marchlyn Mawr out that'd be appreciated!
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Re: Welsh Rivers Guidebook ed.2 Research
The classic stories of myth and legend book will feature the paddlers of legend. Phil,Loel, Chip et al. You will notice that Darren has not set the details in stone yet. Yes Darren is the guy at Pure Land Expeditions and wil act as a type of EDITOR and researcher.
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Re: Welsh Rivers Guidebook ed.2 Research
Hi Tom - I've found I've actually got two copies of 'British White Water' on my shelf, and one of them has your name inside the front cover. Mystery solved. I'll keep it safe here for you...Tea Boy Tom wrote: ↑Tue Mar 31, 2009 10:27 amThis is paraphrased, as I lost my copy of British White Water over the past few years. What a description though. Sure to get everyone nicely tensed up and negative on their way to the river!
Re: Welsh Rivers Guidebook ed.2 Research
A decade later and you not only discover his book, but remember that he announced the loss of said book in a passing comment on an obscure thread about a different book on an internet forum, and then find the time to dig out the old post in question, and post a conclusion to the mystery that had us all on the edge of our seats all these years.Pete C. wrote: ↑Fri Jun 12, 2020 10:25 pmHi Tom - I've found I've actually got two copies of 'British White Water' on my shelf, and one of them has your name inside the front cover. Mystery solved. I'll keep it safe here for you...Tea Boy Tom wrote: ↑Tue Mar 31, 2009 10:27 am...as I lost my copy of British White Water over the past few years...
There are very few people in the world that would go to such lengths. Magnificent effort Mr Cornes! :-)
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Re: Welsh Rivers Guidebook ed.2 Research
Yep, that sounds like Pete!Poke wrote: ↑Mon Jun 15, 2020 12:20 pmA decade later and you not only discover his book, but remember that he announced the loss of said book in a passing comment on an obscure thread about a different book on an internet forum, and then find the time to dig out the old post in question, and post a conclusion to the mystery that had us all on the edge of our seats all these years.Pete C. wrote: ↑Fri Jun 12, 2020 10:25 pmHi Tom - I've found I've actually got two copies of 'British White Water' on my shelf, and one of them has your name inside the front cover. Mystery solved. I'll keep it safe here for you...Tea Boy Tom wrote: ↑Tue Mar 31, 2009 10:27 am...as I lost my copy of British White Water over the past few years...
If anyone knows what became of my copy of the BCU canoeing handbook 2.5 decades ago, feel free to keep it to yourself, it wasn't very good at the time and I'm pretty sure everything in it will have been debunked and replaced with more useful ways of doing things by now. :D
Re: Welsh Rivers Guidebook ed.2 Research
Ah, but that wasn't the actual mystery that's been hanging over us for the last decade. The REAL mystery was:
I *think* Mark is wrong here. After all of Friday night's guidebook shenanigans it came back to me. Slime quoted Shakespeare/Storry's 'stiffen the sinews and summon up the blood' in HIS write-up of Chateau Queyras in the White Water South Alps book (at least in the first edition). Which I think is what everyone else is thinking of, and Storry only used it the once.
I've just ordered copies of Snowdonia Wild Water, Sea and Surf and Raging Rivers, Stormy Seas to make sure. Let's finally solve this mystery.