Thank you for visiting my fundraising page. Please dig deep and sponsor me online.

Donating through this site is simple, fast and totally secure. It is also the most efficient way to sponsor me: Paul Sartori Foundation Ltd will receive your money faster and, if you are a UK taxpayer, an extra 28% in tax will be added to your gift at no cost to you.

Hello, its “ Roaming Rowan” from Fishguard again and in the middle of May I will be embarking on a canal and river trip from Llangollen to Teddington Lock London. Last year I cycled from John O Groats to Lands End, 1,142miles and so this year I thought I’ d be a little more inventive!! With me in my folding kayak, will be camping gear and a folding bike, so I can travel either ‘bike in a boat’ or ‘boat on a bike!’ Please sponsor me for The Paul Sartori Hospice Care that is given with out charge to residents who need our 'special care' in the County of Pembrokeshire. I hope to finish the paddle ‘n peddle by mid June. Look out for my updates during the next four weeks as I will be emailing in photos and stories along my winding way!! You can visit this web site as often as you like WITHOUT having to donate each time!!!

20/5/06

This was the off! Managed 10mls, camped by pub, felt fantastic, conquer the world!! People have been great on the canal, so friendly.  I have had money thrown into my kayak. Next day, wednesday it was fine till pm...Rain really pouring in for 24 hours type and had to bail out kayak with my shoe.  Reached ELLSMERE before giving in to elements. Returned llangollen to dry out gear and to purchase better waterproofs! Start out again friday without friend to fetch car!!

21/5/06  Rain stopped play today. Have stayed put near Whitchurch. Unfortunately my tent is on a very doggy bit of ground, a bog!! Not only that its very near a storm drain and last night I hardly slept cos I could here the sounds of rushing water coming up from under ground!!! I have found this internet cafe this morning though and it serves wonderful carrot cake.

Paddling along yesterday I  saw two kingfishers, a real treat. The smell of the May blossom made me quite heady!! I really enjoyed seeing so many darling ducklings too. Their mothers get very cross with me and flap the water angrily with their wing to try and see me off!! Hopefully folks, I will be able to continue my journey tomorrow, but tonight I've got that storm drain to listen too! 

 22/5/06  Have packed up tent cos it stayed dry for one hour and am on my way again!! Have just trundled boat past Brindley locks and am on my way to Wrebury. But I had to stop for another slice of carrot cake, hence i'm in that internet cafe again!!

22/05/06 (Evening) 

Now 5 miles from the end of the Llangollen Canal at Bridge 13, tent pitched and hoping for a dry night.  There were so many locks today and I have to wait for a boat to hitch along with.  At one point I noticed the chase that goes along the side of the lock was flooded and I thought to myself that it might just be a good way to float my kayak past the lock with it attached to my bike by a rope - well all fine in principle but the water was flowing so fast that my arm was nearly wrenched off and I nearly came a cropper on my bike, perhaps it wasn't such a great idea!  Anyway I have now completed 35 miles and am going to join the Shropshire and Union Canal today which will take me to Nantwich.  A new photo will follow shortly, one with bright sunshine I am hoping!

23/05/06

This is end first canal and now heading south. Past Nantwich 4 miles Audlem. Nearly got run over by narrow boat today. Forgot mirror , signal , manoeuver ! Got 15 locks in a row tomorrow. That should be fun and its up hill all the way. Thanks for texts and calls to you lot back home. X

24/05/06

15 locks in a row at Audlem, that was some feat.  I met a lovely gentleman called Bob who wheeled my bike to the top of the locks whilst I pushed my kayak - a big thank you Bob!  Then the next obstacles I encountered were 5 locks in a row but I managed to hitch a ride through those and came to Market Drayton.  The next thing that happened was pretty frightening, a swan decided to attack me, can anyone please give me some tips on how to deter swans attacking.  I may have to get out of the kayak and tow it along if there are swans en route as they are large and I don't fancy a fight with one.

Anyway that evening someone kindly offered to look after my kayak by tying it to their boat overnight and I managed to find a reasonably priced B&B and had a wonderful bath and change of clothes - the first bath in 6 days!

Seriously I would love some advice on swans and not the kind that are given in this link although it is amusing www.funfolly.com/h/mascots/c1783htm

Friday 26th May. . Spot the lady birds in the photo - they breed big in middle england! Camped on pub lawn last night and they served an excellent ale! Hope to get with in ten miles wolverhampton by tonight.

27th May.  My first night without rain ! Reached Brewood camped on the lawn of a marine yard under horse chestnut tree with a swing ! Got invited to have a shower and cup of tea by a very generous woman on her narrow boat.. Most welcome.  I saved a fledging robin who found out he wasnt a duck ! I also saw a wood pecker a treat as i ve only heard them up till now. Change of plan now. I have been advised by several boat owners not to travel through cities in such a small craft especially on my own. So to make up distance i shall paddle up towards Stafford today and then a friend shall pick me up tonight. Will have tomorrow off and then re start monday other side of Birminham!  

28-05-06 This was me receiving a tow late sat! As i said i am staying with a mate and i was late meeting her yesterday, so, i was paddling like a mad woman when this narrow boat owner offered me a tow! But not only that his wife served me tea and cake which i consumed sitting in me boat whilst being towed along. Two days now to dry out and relax and then back to the water road tuesday. 

31st May  The weather is now fantastic and I am progressing well.  I did avoid Birmingham as was suggested and had a good time with my friend.  The swans are still attacking so I get out and walk along the towpath towing my kayak instead but I'm worried about the Thames as there's no towpath there.  Thanks for the hint of sandwiches Elaine, they work temporarily but not a solution so far.

Buffy was up near Daventry today and called me on my mobile as she went over the Oxford Canal we did try to meet up but I was in the middle of the countryside no road in sight and probably 2-3 mile walk to the nearest village so unfortunately despite beig about 10 miles from each other it was not possible as Buffy had to get home for the kids - such a shame.  Whilst we were talking we were continously interrupted by a lamb bleating for it's mum, I decided that if it kept doing that all night I would be forced to each roast lamb for supper. 

Message from Buffy:  I am updating the website for Rowan but have been unable to download new photos Rowan has sent me probably due to the Rhos not having Broadband although it did work initially - I will keep trying. Anyway the last 3 photos were of a narrowboat towing Rowan's canoe whilst she ate cake, Rowan with her kayak out of the water by a lock and the very noisy lamb, so you will just have to imagine them for now!

03-06-06.  Should make oxford today. At last good weather. Paddling through fallen blossom on the water.. Very zenish. By the end of each day i am exhausted and Sleeping in a sleeping bag is such a nightmare. Why do they not turn with you. I end up so twisted  that i cant move !  The sunset last night was magic.

04-06-06.  Made the river thames..Or isis in its infancy. Journey really tough on my body. I am really pushing myself on even though my arm muscles scream at me to stop! The flow on the thames strong and felt scary on entering. Reached oxford late afternoon. Parked boat. Walked over bridge to find cafe saw hotel and was in in a flash! Boat now parked on lawn and i have soaked for hours in the bath.  

04-06-06.  Sunday i passed through abingdon as seen in photo today. The canals are beautiful but the thames is majestic. The swans are a lot friendlier too! Not one hiss or honk! Got a soaking two minutes away from camp site last night. A rouge rain cloud i wasnt expecting! Why me ?! Still its a lovely camp site im on and some posh folks were having a very grand party under a marque last night. So posh i was lulled to sleep by a chap playing a violin! 

Well I have tried in vain to update the photos for Rowan but here above is a new one I presume done by Rowan on her travels;  anyway all those interested will no doubt be able to view them on the intrepid kayaker's return, I have become so frustrated with our internet connection that it is lucky you are getting any written update.  We have our computer man coming on Saturday to suss out some of the issues bugging us so I may be ok on the final leg of Rowan's journey.  I must say it sounds pretty damned tough but a fantastic experience, something I am considering once the children are off doing their own things.

 Tuesday morning and the photo is off me about to be swept away over pangbourne weir!  - it's a great photo so ask to see it on Rowan's return.  Had my tent up last night ready for me to crash out when i returned from pub but slept in a bed at chris and tony 's house. Thanks you two! Had a red kyte circling above me this morning a lovely sight. Going into locks with massive great boats now and i feel so diddy! Reading by tonight folks.

 Wednesday. From this photo you can see the flock of swans i had to paddle through yesterday. Not only that two of Readings  biggest paddle steamers decided to do u turns around me!  I think i entertained the folks looking down from the bridge all right!  I managed to put three small holes in bottom of boat whilst dragging it out a next lock. It takes 24 hours for the patches to stick so i am staying with a pal here and will continue tomorrow if me boat floats! Should finish by sunday or monday all being well.

Thursday and back on the river with my patches holding up so far. So far is henley on thames. I have tied my boat to the dock and am now tucking into more carrot cake! Will be camping near to marlow later tonight and according to map there should be a camp site. Hope so cos i will jump into the river for a wash if not!

 Sunday morning. Yesterday i enquired at the palace (seeing as i was passing ) if one could possibly please put up ones tiny tent on ones enormous front lawn ...I was told most definately not! Eventually i reached Stains but not without a great deal of pain. I did ten hours of paddling , far too much. It was into a strong wind,  i had on choice but to reach stains cos all the river bank is crown property ! I phoned home and got one of my sons to look on internet for cheap b and b. I then had to reach here and i eventually arrived at eight last night! The thought now of getting back in that boat, will my body crash after the first mile or so. Will let you all know. . . .  

 I have just sat in library and written up long update but when i went to load it the programme crashed, not for the first time so lets try again!!

 13/6/06

This trip of mine was far more of a mental and physical challenge than my bike ride from John o' to Lands end last year!!! With a bike you get down hills, with a kayak you get paddle, paddle, paddle!!!  When I arrived at Stains on friday night I was staggering as I got out of my kayak. I raised quite a few eyebrows from evening dinners outside of the riverside hotel that I was booked in to stay. Struggling to pull myself out of my boat I announced my arrival by saying, "never have i felt so happy to arrive!!" It had been the strong winds that had made my days paddling so tough. All day and into the evening with no let up. I fell into bed hoping that during the night the wind would drop or at the least change direction!!!  Of course on Saturday it was just the same. This was the day I wanted to strike for the finish and yet my body was really exhausted. Gathering every ounce of resolve I started out about 10 am. It was as hard as I thought and it did cross my mind to call my sister and put and end to the day and bring the finish forwards. But that was never a serious thought, I was determined to reach Teddington lock. At seven thirty in the evening, I made it! As i was paddling up the home straight, I could see these two tiny figures on the bridge up ahead and i knew it was my sister and neice. YIPEEE, I had done it!!! I would like to THANK ALL OF YOU THAT HAVE SPONSORED ME AND ESPECIALLY TO THOSE OF YOU WHOM I RECEIVED NOT JUST SPONSORSHIP BUT ENCOURAGEMENT TOO!!! CHEERS TO ALL OF YOU. XXX