Gutless Kayaking

Taking the cheque to St. Mark’s

justin — Mon, 22 Nov 2010 19:16:26 +0000

Last week I produced this cheque from my oversized pocket and handed it to Dr. Simon Gabe at St. Mark’s hospital. It was made out for over £20,000 and the total is rising – lines are still open so it’s not to late to donate. Simon thinks I may have performed a world record as he’s not aware of anyone else on artificial nutrition completing this type of endurance event before, but we’re not sure where to look things up…..

Day 21 – Cowley to Horsenden Hill

justin — Sat, 02 Oct 2010 19:11:45 +0000

Final day! The lads set off after a series of traditional Bundaberg rum toasts to cheer the crew on their achievement and to that the support crew of Richard and the stalwart crew of Pisces; Eddie, Bob and Roy. The day was unfortunately a rather dismal one with overcast conditions deteriorating into steady rain, but there was some symmetry with the conditions on day 1 in Manchester. Having bid farewell to the Pisces boys the awesome foursome set out for the four miles of the Grand Union canal to the junction with the Paddington arm at Bull’s bridge. Justin and Stevo were now in familiar waters as they had paddled the six miles from Horsenden Hill to Bull’s Bridge on a training run when joined by Justin’s sister Victoria and nephews Rob and Tom. They had sheltered from the rain under the adjacent graffiti scarred and urine stained road bridge before returning the way they had come. This time the lads stopped after five miles to wait for the Elysium and rendezvous with several friends and family before making the last mile push to Horsenden Hill for the grand reception. The blog would like to report on the media outside broadcast vans, circling news choppers and screaming crowds containing young ladies waving ‘we luv u Justin’ and ‘marry me Stevo’ placards but sadly cannot while maintaining journalistic integrity, but nevertheless the reception was warm and heartfelt and managed to make the lads forget the fact that they were chilled and soaked from the last leg of the epic journey.

The lads were further warmed by a glass of bubbles and award winning fish and chips from Costas fish & chips of Bilson Rd Perivale. The end had come and there were a series of teary farewells as the team broke up after enduring shared adventure and heartache. Justin and Stevo, the heroes who had endured the run from Manchester to London, retired to Victoria and Richard Hansen’s home in Kew for a take-out curry and a few well deserved drinks…

Day 20 – Croxley Green to Cowley

justin — Sat, 02 Oct 2010 19:10:59 +0000

The penultimate day of the paddle was one of the nicest days weather-wise so far, all blue skies and sunshine. A photographer sent by BUPA (suppliers of Justin’s ‘feed’) arrived early and cajoled the lads into a series of poses incorporating kayaks being held overhead etc. This was followed by a series of glamour shots of Justin for the BUPA international newsletter. Jane had rejoined the crew after a short break after piloting the official support camper-van ‘Brucie’ for the first two weeks of the epic journey. She joined Richard on Elysium with the intention of sitting on the fore-castle and watching the canal go by. The day entailed around 12 miles and 11 locks, fairly evenly spaced, but the lads had perfected their technique by now so that getting around the locks had become a doddle. Occasionally the canal walls at the locks were quite high due to some pounds being low on water, and at one stage a grey-haired lady offered to help Justin out of his kayak but he declined, knowing that he would never hear the last of it. The lads passed the Hillingdon Narrowboat Association HQ at Harefield, home of the Pisces & crew, but there didn’t appear to be anybody home. The scenery changed from rather idyllic scenes to more of an urban decay as the adventurers approached Cowley and lock number 166 of the trip (and the last thank G.d!).

Debriefing began at the Malt Shovel pub, a huge improvement over the previous night’s venue.

So, the trip is almost over, just 10 miles and no locks to the end at Horsenden Hill tomorrow. Now’s a good time to mention all the heroes, heroines and help we’ve had along the way. We have to start with a big thanks to a total star, Richard Carpenter (general secretary, National Association of Boat Owners) who has given his time, expertise and boat (Elysium) for the whole of this adventure (plus another three weeks to get back to where he started). He’s sorted out everything on the water; moorings, distances, chandlery visits, liaison with BUPA to take delivery of Justin’s feed……the list goes on, and been a great mate to all throughout. Then there’s Jane, Justin’s girlfriend, who has negotiated the intricacies of the Midlands to keep the crew and kayakers fed, well laundered and in good spirits. Plus of course, Trevor, from Dream Achievers, and the whole network of community boats who have provided such incredible help and support – special mention to the Hillingdon Narrowboats Association team of Eddie, Roy and Bob. All our sponsors who have helped make this trip possible: The Programme, Bushwood Books, Guy Portelli, Juice Doctor, Whitewater The Canoe Centre, HandiRacks, Waterside Sports, Esporta, BUPA, Convatec, Mason Consulting, CME Medical, Umbro, NABO, NCBA, Dream Achievers, Mason IT, Palm Mason, MThree, Roberts Bakery and FurieBelle.

Day 19 – Nash Mills to Croxley Green

justin — Sat, 02 Oct 2010 19:09:51 +0000

Today the compliment was back to four with the arrival of rookie Paul, brother of JP and uncle of Will; paddlers from earlier in the epic journey. Paul took over the traditional Parke family green kayak, usually avoided by the other lads due to its lack of a keel which makes steering a little more of a challenge. The crew struck out southwards for a relatively short day of seven miles, with around 10 locks, in overcast but dry conditions. The canal shortly took them under the M25, which made them feel that they had entered London, even though this wasn’t officially the case. Justin had a close-ish call when sliding the big blue sea-kayak into a pound between two locks and it capsized, but at least without him in it. The most picturesque part of the route was through the estate of the Earl of Essex, who had insisted on a couple of totally unnecessary 90 degree turns and a nice ornamental stone bridge to allow the Grand Union canal company to build through.

The debriefing was rather short as the only accessible licensed premise was a rather disagreeable Harvester chain pub with no decent ales in sight, and staff devoid of charm.

Gutless Kayaking Finishes – Friday October 1st!

admin — Thu, 30 Sep 2010 21:14:39 +0000

Justin & the Gutless Kayaking Team are on course to finish at 2pm tomorrow.

At 1pm they will stop at the Black Horse pub in Greenford which is about a mile from the finish line and wait until its time to do the last mile.

Black Horse
425 Oldfield Lane
Greenford
Middlesex
UB6 0AS

View the pub on the Gutless Kayaking map

There is a car park at Horsenden Hill and the tow path is good from there to the pub and beyond to Bulls Bridge (5.5miles) which is the junction of the Grand Union Canal and the Paddington Arm. We have organised local press ( we hope) but the more the merrier….so if anyone has any clout with any papers please use it!

Any queries please call me Victoria on 07768 102515

Directions from the A40

Follow signs to Perivale , passing the Underground station on your right. Head to the narrow canal bridge (now with traffic lights and a width restriction) and immediately after the bridge turn right , though 2 large ornate black gates and follow path , turning left at the far end. The postcode is UB6 7PQ

Day 18 – Marsworth to Nash Mills

admin — Wed, 29 Sep 2010 00:44:46 +0000

Today started with the climb up the flight of seven Marsworth locks to Tring summit pound, with some delays as the British Waterways chap refilled the upper locks with water from the local reservoir. Occasionally there isn’t enough water in some of the upper reaches of the canal system to allow for the three foot draw of the larger boats. Justin and Steve took to their kayaks at the summit while Stevo decided that he would become an apprentice skipper on Pisces for the day. Eddie had been rejoined by Bob and Roy who had returned to help with the last leg, which was handy as there were 29 locks to be negotiated over the course of the day. Stevo found that Elysium was a sports car compared with the 75 year old ex-working boat; the old girl was a lot of fun once you got the hang of it, plus you didn’t get so worried when the 24 ton iron lump banged into lock walls and gates. Driving the narrowboat also has advantages over kayaking when Roy brings up bacon or ham sandwiches and cups of tea & biscuits…

The boats were moored in an idyllic setting opposite the abandoned paper mill at Nash Mills and the crew retired to yet another Red Lion pub for the ritual debriefing. Actually, it was the second debriefing of the day. Since Justin and Steve had arrived 2 hours earlier having hauled their kayaks around the never ending series of locks over the preceding 14 miles. The initial debriefing had felt oddly inappropriate without our ubiquitous master of ceremonies, Stevo. But he’d had important work to do instructing the crew on how to operate narrow boats.

Day 17 – Soulbury to Marsworth

admin — Tue, 28 Sep 2010 08:30:35 +0000

Today started on a bad note with rookie Steve M being caught unawares by the lock paddle mechanism and one of Richards windlasses went flying into the lock. Luckily Steve suffered no injury other than a smashed watch, for insurance purposes he’s claiming it was a vintage Rolex. Steve set up a few video shots in his capacity as one-man film crew but missed the photo op when Stevo found himself halfway between his paddle on the shore and his kayak floating away. As it happened Stevo’s natural athleticism saved a second dip in the waters of the canal. This was a day of many locks, all inconveniently spaced so that it was a matter of hauling the boats around each single lock and then a short-ish paddle to the next haul around. The electrical pump that Justin carries to control his intravenous nutrition didn’t like all the getting in and out at locks either the alarm beeping on each occasion. This meant taking off his pack to fix the problem before paddling on. A bit of a pain in the butt with the accompanying cold drizzle.
Finally to Marsworth and the Red Lion pub for the debriefing. Except it closed upon our arrival. Not to worry we could go and have a nap for a couple of hours and come back for a lovely pub supper later. Except later we found that the Red Lion doesn’t serve food on Monday evenings.

Day 16 – Cosgrove to Soulbury

admin — Tue, 28 Sep 2010 08:30:01 +0000

Three Locks This day saw the intrepid remaining threesome heading south through the planned metropolis of Milton Keynes, where the entire population seemed to be out walking their dogs along the towpath. The lads pushed through for a long twelve mile paddle to the lock at Fenny Stratford where they checked out the local pub where donations had been collected by Bob as the Pisces travelled north to rendezvous with the crew. The lads found the pub to be a bit “spit & sawdusty”, as they say in these parts. They carried on the extra four miles to Soulbury Three Locks and the Grand Union pub. Steve M followed the long paddle with a 40 minute run (!!) during which he met Chris Moon, a disabled athlete (right arm & leg in a mine explosion) who was running 36 miles per day for 30 days in aid of Barnados. Stevo was delighted to find that the pub stocked Bundaberg rum and managed to talk Eddie into joining him in a couple of Bundy & cokes.

Day 15 – Mission James and the Invisible Supporters – Bridge 47

victoria — Mon, 27 Sep 2010 11:31:03 +0000

Whilst en route to take James to Coventry University we did the unthinkable – yes we went and “looked” for the Gutless Kayaking team on the Grand Union canal – we knew they were in Bugbrooke on Friday night and leaving around 09.30am heading for Blissworth on Saturday. So at about 10am we found ourselves on bridge 47 in the middle of no-where and on a quiet small road with a pretty view over the canal we waited! First we donned Gutless T.Shirts ( much to the amusement of road users) and took a set up shot facing the bridge and then dashed back to the bridge to strip off as the T.Shirts were meant for the support crew in the event of further press coverage!

We were a bit giggly when we heard them under the bridge but as soon as they were past we popped up and took some pictures – we then handed over the goodies including cake and beef jerky to the boats behind and took off. Whilst trying to get back to the M1 we found another bridge and spotted the two support boats – so more pictures taken, off we set again and saw the kayakers disappear but we were again in luck by bridge 50 as we caught them coming out – James and Victoria legging it down the tow path to capture the shots whilst Lou sat in the getaway car with the engine revving…..revived by coffees we set off again and there they were preparing for the entrance to the Blissworth tunnel – which meant waiting for the support boats so kayaks could be loaded on top. Lou pulled the car over whilst James and Victoria popped out and scrabbled over the bridge practically on all fours as we suddenly saw Justin coming behind two of the others and were fearful of being spotted as we went on the bridge. Crouching down we edged our way along – unfortunately this resulted in James landing bottom down in a prickly bush in an effort to capture the perfect shot! Lou in the meantime was lying down on the car seat ready to drive off once we were done!

An excellent morning for James as it took his mind of the pending first day of college and a good opportunity for Lou and Victoria to take some pictures and hand over the cakes for the supporters!

Gutless Kayaking on the Canoe England site

admin — Sun, 26 Sep 2010 13:09:28 +0000

Canoe England have written an article about Gutless Kayaking.