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A busy getting up as the boys were booked to go climbing and abseiling with Daniel, they set off promptly at 9.00 so R and I could tidy and do little jobs in a relaxed way and make coffee... Still very expresso. It was lovely and sunny and we then sat outside the chalet with more coffee and caught up on all our work emails.
A quick lunch and then we and the Isles (a family of 5) were off rafting. This involved getting into our wet suits, R borrowed one as it was reportedly very cold in the water and they had thick rock proof suits, it took ages for us all to don these along with wet socks and wet shoes... Slightly alarming that such protection was thought necessary.
We were driven with a Daniel and Martiang the Dutch leaders from the chalet to the small town were we unloaded the boats and lifted then through an arch off the high street. A briefing on paddling, how to stay in the boat etc etc and a few practice manoeuvres on dry land.
We set off in 2 boats Marting was our captain. We had to back paddle like mad to wait for the second boat to launch as we were supposed to be following, but soon we were happily zooming down the river, the rapids were particularly wet for the boys in front and Wills go pro was recording all the drama. I was really enjoying this and thinking it wasn't too difficult when round the corner we saw fellow rafters landed and the crew leaping off a rock in to the river several feet below. And yes this was our next activity... The shock of getting your head under in such cold water was ghastly .. Needless to say all the adults only did the one jump, the children all about 3 each. Back in our rafts, off down the stream, did we want to swim alongside the boat? The boys hesitated so R and I clearly both felt we should set an example so jumped in, suddenly we were all floating down the river with Marting paddling like mad to pick us all before the next rapids, although we could just about touch the bottom we couldn't stand up against the current.
Back in the boat, we then stopped at a little beach I couldn't see anything too alarming.
Then Daniel said we were to swim to the other side , he would go first, he swam across and rather alarmingly drifted a good 30/40 meters down ( he looked very young and fit) so I thought well Ill have to swim my hardest, hope the boys will be ok, but the other family's children were about 11,9 and 7?!?!?! Anyway it seemed there was little choice so in turn we set off. Predictably some were washed down the river, Daniel threw a safety rope to those in need, and everyone got across, I have to say I thought the other mother was incredibly calm, then of course the return, a bit harder as it wasn't possible to go so far upstream, and some rocks needed avoiding. We all just made it across (Woofs) the second youngest of the Isles set off but was quickly washed along, he caught the safety rope thrown for him but then let go, Marting was dispatched after him in one of the boats, their mum came next just making it, then their older daughter just catching the rope. No sign of their boy downstream. Mr Isles launched the youngest across despite protests, we all held our breathe as she pluckily (very for a 7year old) set off, the current however quickly washed her down stream but she caught and held the safety rope and made it to shore. Then a shout and their boy was spotted clambering along rocks and trees downstream clearly very pleased with himself and the adventure.
So now we were only missing one boat and one instructor. We all set off in the remaining smaller boat and fairly soon came across Marting who was trying to paddle upstream alone and recover a lost paddle. After some more manoeuvring we settled back into both boats. Marting when we tried to comfort him about the loss of the paddle did admit it was better to have lost a paddle rather than a person.
And then Daniel spotted the missing paddle amongst branches by the bank and so we all back paddled like mad again and recovered it.
The last couple of rapids felt child's play after all the previous issues.
We finally got out of our wetsuits and sat and waited in a layby for an hour or so as boats were returned and our lift appeared.
We all then appreciated a cosy night in the campervan with the heating on.
The Isles reported that after home and warning up their daughter thought the whole thing was fab and wondered when she could go again, their mum said she was fine after half a bottle of wine.
Alison
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