Infrassistance believes in giving something back, so we are supporting Leukaemia & Lymphoma Research as our chartiable cause for 2011. We chose this charity as Leukaemia has taken people very close and special to several of us at Infrassistance.We are raising funds both as a company and through individual endeavor. See what we are doing at http://www.infrassistance.com/?page_id=3943

Well, it’s over and the mission is accomplished – sort of….

Last Thursday morning Tony had to see a consultant about an eye problem he’s had for a few weeks.  Initially he was told he had a virus, then a nerve problem, so an MRI scan was booked to make a better diagnosis.  Unfortunately, when the consultant looked at it at 7pm he decided there could be an aneurism pressing on an optic nerve and the instruction was definitely NOT to race.  Oops.

After about a second’s thought, I raced down to Longridge Canoe Club to find a single kayak and all plans for an early night were abandoned.  Admirably (and possibly somewhat foolishly) Tony volunteered to join Rebecca and Lesley as support crew and we all set off for Devizes at 4.30am on Good Friday.

After a quick explanation to Race Control and a new competitor number, the boat surprisingly passed the requisite safety check (although I didn’t find out until a little while later just how much it leaked) and DW 2011 began for real at 07:32:45.

Day 1 was reasonably manageable as we had paddled this leg only a fortnight before in the Waterside D race.  The support crew did much better having had a bit of practise – there was less disappearing off to find tea and cakes and more provision of flapjack and ibuprofen!  The weather was fabulous for the spectators, but made the going more difficult for the competitors.  Each one of the 35 locks became harder work as the day wore on.  Unfortunately, I damaged the tendons in my right arm during the day – similar to extreme RSI – but kept quiet about it for fear of being withdrawn from the race by my chief supporter!  Day One finished at Newbury at 15:51:06 but there was little time for getting my breath back as Radio Berkshire rang for a live interview with Nicki Whiteman.

A bucket of pasta (cooked by Annie) and an early night set us up for another bright and early start at Newbury on Day 2.   My progress on the canal was pretty good, all things considered, but the Thames was like paddling through treacle.  Lack of rain during the spring meant there was very little flow on the water – a mere 23.5m³/sec rather than between 47 and 178 in the previous four years! 

Again, the weather was scorching and not surprisingly some competitors dropped out during the day.  It wasn’t until reaching the Thames, where there was little shade that I realised just how hot Easter Saturday was!  Although for my support crew, including Heather and her daughter who turned up at Hurley, it was brilliant ice-cream weather.

I finished at Longridge Canoe Club after 8 hours and 36 minutes of paddling, portaging and eating flapjack and bread pudding, although I didn’t follow the official race line to the finish as I am so used to approaching by direct channel to the club!

After a feast of roast pork and roasted vegetables prepared by Tom, we were ready to spend Saturday night on the sheets, rather than the tiles, by about 8pm!

On a bright and sunny Easter Sunday, after a veritable lie-in, we took off from Longridge at 06:40.  After a while, one of the double kayak crews caught up with me – Totti and Jenny - and I hung on their wash for several miles.  This almost proved a mistake as they were going considerably faster than I do and although wash-hanging is meant to conserve your energy Rebecca had no hesitation in pointing out to me that I should know better than to chase Totti at my age!

The fine weather brought plenty of pleasure craft out on the river, most of whom were considerate to the poor souls still paddling along in their kayaks and Canadian canoes.  The river was not so kind and churned up some interesting waves at Ravens Ait.  After a fair struggle for most of the day kept going only by the flapjack, bread pudding, ibuprofen and cheers of supporters, at Molesey, I found some untapped energy and positively motored into Ham. There were only (!) eleven portages on this leg and the total mileage was 38 miles, so I was pleased to be done in 8 hours and 44 minutes.

I started Day 4 feeling very much not raring to go – the wrist I damaged on Day 1 was painful and I had rubbed a raw patch at the base of my spine – but I couldn’t give up at this stage for no good reason!  After sitting and waiting for the tide to turn, we finally left Ham at 8.57am and I steadily ploughed towards Westminster.  Fatigue had definitely set in and I knew it would not be a speedy run; I had 3 stops to recover feeling in various extremities and top up my energy levels with a deck-taped snack.  The tourist boats provided a bit more challenge with their high washes and a strong headwind and the lovely unseasonable high temperatures added to the fun. The most difficult part of the whole 125 miles was the last 200M, two crew capsized in front of me and had to be rescued in the huge messy waves  by Westminster Bridge.

I cruised under the south arch of Westminster Bridge to the sound of Big Ben striking midday. DW2011 done!  And my time was a not-too-shabby 28:43:39.

Despite being in the boat on my own, it was very much a team effort:  the initial training and encouragement from fellow competitors, coaches and other experienced paddlers from Longridge Canoe Club set us on the right track.  The constant and attentive service with flapjack, bread pudding, Mars bars, juice and water, ibuprofen and Micropore tape at each portage from my support crew kept me going.  Although he was unable to join me in the boat, the relentless cheerful support, challenge and encouragement from Tony during our training made my achievement possible, I couldn’t have done it without him.

Finally, huge thanks and apologies to Rebecca for taking nine months out of our lives and household – I will tackle the job list, promise and I won’t be DW-ing again! Maybe.

If you think my efforts worthy, donations or even additional donations can be made at our Just Giving Web Site or send a cheque made payable to Leukaemia & Lymphoma Research to:

Infrassistance for Charity

88 Owlsmoor Road, Sandhurst, GU47 0SS

Thanks so much for taking the time to read this and thanks even more for your contribution to this worthwhile cause.

Please give generouslly to this worthwhile cause.