Wye Canadians can be fun!

The River Wye is long. Being 251 km in length makes it Britain's fifth longest River.

Technically speaking it isn't the sea, at least not until becoming tidal as it spills into the Severn Estuary. Rising (non nautical term for starts off) in Wales, and eventually forms the lower border between the Celts and the English, separating Wales from England with one of the best salmon fishing rivers outside Scotland.

It also has Canadians on it. Canoes that is.

Today I try my hand at a bit of inland paddling for the first time in a Canadian canoe. The weather looks as if it is going to hold out for a full day, the kids are off school, so some of them come too.

A motley crew of all ages from 9 to 70 something

Taliesin wonders what happened to the other end of his paddle

There is lots of room in one of these things, which makes them good fun for the two eldest to come along for a bit of "messing about on the river", as well as space for kit and dogs. (No doubt I see the possibility of some clan camping at some later date).

Jasper the dog gets the treatment

Apparently the person in control sits at the back. I found that being at the front and using bow rudders was probably just as effective a way to point the thing the right way.

Taliesin checks out stability characteristics,
and finds them suitable for water fights

while John checks to see if the water level is appropriate

Llewelyn looks smug as he commandeered Tal's paddle

er . . . Chris gives Kath a go with his red kayak

. . . watched by all the boys

A great way to spend a day