After breakfast, a lift back to Sweet Lamb and then the walk back to Rhayader by the river that was a torrent due to the rain. Consequently the paths were wet and in places very muddy and with the rain coming in squalls making the day a damp and soggy 18 mile hike.
The low cloud had lifted and we were rewarded with some spectacular scenery and Red Kites reeling in the sky. A nice day would have been better but we saw it through and were grateful to find a meal ready and waiting prepared by Colin. Some of us visited the local hostelries in the evening before retiring to recharge the batteries for the trek into Builth Wells the following day.

Sunday 28th May
16 Miles (46 Miles)

Breakfasted we made our way out of Rhayader. The persistent rain had given way and the sun started to appear at times. Halfway along the path at Newbridge on Wye, Martin because of blisters and Joannie because of a worsening cold were picked up by Colin while the rest of us pressed on.
The weather became increasingly better and the final stage of the walk into Builth by the river was flat with gates instead of stiles. The temperature was rising all the while and we arrived at the campsite in glorious sunshine. Colin had sorted a nice pub for an evening meal and all refreshed and in good spirits we returned to our camp for the night.

Monday 29th May
16 miles (62 miles)

A beautiful morning and the final whole days walking for all the team got underway. This was the leg into Glasbury and provided some stunning views, carpets of bluebells and beautiful Green Lanes.
Stopping for lunch, the weather gave us a final shower before we headed into Glasbury. This was tough going due to the terrain of rutted tracks, long grass and in places obstacles that shouldn’t have been there. Also the increasing rise in temperature as the promised high-pressure system blew in sent the temperature shooting up. We crossed the river, called in at the WyeValley canoe Centre to let them know we were on schedule, and were collected by Colin to run us up to our camp for the night at the Hollybush Inn.
An excellent dinner with draft cider and perry raised the spirits and we retired for the night having decided on the crews for the first days canoeing.

Tuesday 30th May
15 miles (77 miles)

A clear blue sky and lots of suntan lotion being applied ready for the first day on the river.
We arrived at Wye Valley Canoes and Jane and her team were on hand to talk us through the hazards we would encounter.
The buggy, minus its wheels, was strapped into the canoe, and with Shaun in place and with Mark at the helm we pushed out onto the river. The other crews were Louise and Stigs and Richard and Dick. Dan, from the Canoe Centre accompanied us down the first mile and a half giving us tips and instruction and a lot of confidence. With Dan peeling off we were on our own and made our way to Hay on Wye for lunch. Here we witnessed a capsize as people were trying to land. It is getting in and out of the canoes when this is most likely to happen. The other main thing to avoid, Dan pointed out, was overhanging trees!
After lunch we continued down the river without incident to arrive at Turners Boat for our camp for the night, that was just a field. Fortunately there was the Red Lion up the road, booked by Colin, where we adjourned for a meal and booked breakfast for the following morning before returning to crash out. The accumulative effect was starting to kick in.

Wednesday 31st May
18 Miles (95 miles)

Once again a clear sky, hot sun and sun tan lotion. The crews for the day were Lawrence and Paul and Richard and Martin with Shaun’s crew the same.
A long days paddle ahead with the MonningtonFalls to negotiate. Off we set with the others making their way to Hereford.
The day was eventful with Richard and Martin becoming stranded on a bank before realising the only way to get off was to get out of the canoe. As we approached the falls Mark steered us to take a look at the left hand channel that was thankfully clear. We signalled for the others to follow our line and went into the narrow channel. A shout at the back alerted us to the fact the others had grounded on the slab and Mark turned the canoe and we power paddled back against the current to ensure everyone was clear, We then re-entered the channel and came through without mishap.
Onward to our stopping point for lunch with Richard and Martin leading and making the manoeuvre to land. Disaster as they went side on into an overhanging tree which tipped the canoe and them into the river. It was shallow here and they were able to stand up. Lawrence and Paul went in to secure the canoe while Shaun’s canoe carried on down stream, turned and came back collecting the contents of the other canoe enroute.
With everyone now on land, we had lunch albeit a soggy one for Richard and Martin but the heat of the sun soon dried them out.
Back into the canoes and into Hereford with everyone making an immaculate, professional landing at Hereford Rowing Club.
With the camp set up and a meal of pasta, salad and bbq prepared by Louise and Dick it was time to relax before adjourning to the Club Bar for liquid refreshment.
Hereford Rowing Club were superb giving us use of their facilities, showers toilets etc which had been missing at Turners Boat.

Thursday 1 June
17 miles (112)

Refreshed and smelling cleaner we left Hereford still enjoying unbroken sunshine and headed towards our next stop at Hoarwithy. Dick and Lawrence, now kitted out as 2 pirates, in one canoe and in the other, Stigs and Paul. Without incident we reached Lucksall for a civilised lunch, hot drinks at reception and picnic benches to eat our lunch.
Fully refreshed we headed down river to Hoarwithy where the only incident occurred.
Again, this was a landing with Lawrence and Dick arriving at the bank, Dick getting out and pulling the canoe, bows first up a steep bank. Lawrence was still onboard and as the canoe was pulled further up it slipped to one side, depositing Lawrence in the river. Dick said that Lawrence had lost his balance but Mark then gave Dick a step by step explanation of how to disembark and this was then followed to the letter at the correct landing point further down the river.
Unfortunately, at this campsite there were no showers and Lawrence had to wash up under the tap with someone pouring bowlfuls of water over him to give him a rinse.
With everyone back together, we headed to the splendid pub, , already booked by Colin for a fabulous meal washed down with local cider and raspberry Belgian beer.
Later that evening, Lawrence’s newly laundered underpants with the addition of a skull and crossbones, were hoist aloft to dry.
The perpetrator is yet to be named.

Friday 2 June
19 miles (131)

Early morning at Hoarwithy and we see a Landrover driving across the field towards us, it's Jon and Karen Thickett from the school who have popped down to join us for the day. We also get a visit from Mrs Roberts, the campsite owner who generously gave us a discount, to see how we’re doing.
Other people are also taking to the river at this point to spend a day canoeing. It’s becoming very busy.
We embark, without incident with Louise and Martin as one crew and Richard and Dick the other. Shaun’s crew remains the same, as the only thing he’s insisted on is that Dad stays with him! Shane certainly didn’t intend to spend 5 days paddling but is still holding up.
We cruise down the river, now old hands, and approach Ross on Wye to meet up for lunch. The view of Ross from the river is stunning and we all make professional landings in front of a large crowd of people.
Lunch is taken under the shade of parasolled tables at the Hope and Anchor.
We then return to the river and paddle onwards to Welsh Bicknor with some superb views of Goodrich Castle and fabulous river banks now we are into the Forest of Dean.
We arrive at the YHA and drag the boats out of the water to park them at our fitting accommodation for the night; 6 berth, luxuriously equipped tipis.
Colin excels himself once again cooking and dishing up a cottage pie followed by apple crumble with lashings of custard much to Martins delight.
YHA toilets and showers as well as the use of the kitchen make this a great stop over and the tipis are brilliant.
Jon and Karen join us for dinner and reluctantly leave late in the evening. It’s been great to see them.

Saturday 3 June
14 miles (145)

We set off from Welsh Bicknor on a crowded river, lots of people in canoes and kayaks- this is the place to come to spend a day on it. This the last day of canoeing and Shaun’s boat is joined by Louise and Martin and Lawrence and Paul in the others.
Under the old railway bridge and head towards Symonds Yat.
We approach the impressive cliffs, the nesting place of Peregrine Falcons, and as we pass beneath them they tower above us. Lots of people are on Yat Rock, including our cameraman, Stigs to capture our progress up what is the most photographed stretch of river possibly anywhere.
Under the Huntsam Bridge and avoiding two pleasure boats on a cruise we pass the two ferries and towards the rapids.
With the river running high the water is above the rocks and after the initial plunge the progress is fairly easy and extremely quick.
At the Biblins bridge we meet up with the walking party and after lunch amble down to Monmouth, under the bridge and turn towards Redbrook, our final destination with the canoes.
We pass under another old railway bridge and come into land opposite the Boat Inn.
Here we wait for the canoes to be collected and it is great to see Dan again and a fitting way to end our canoe trip.
Dinner is taken at the Boat, where else? Colin comes up with the bus to ferry us to Tintern Old Railway Station, our camp for the final night.

Sunday 4 June
8 miles (153)

The final day is a walk into Chepstow as the river is tidal below Tintern and when the tide is low at Chepstow there are banks of mud.
We had spent a nice evening at Tintern with Paul giving us a demonstration of with light sticks attached to the end of his bootlaces. We all fell into bed knowing we had to be up, packed and off site before 10.
The final morning was scorching hot and we were pleased to get the long climb up onto the Offas Dyke over and walk in the shade of the trees. It is along this section that you get one of the finest views of Tintern Abbey from the Devils Pulpit.
In and out of the shade of trees all the way down to Chepstow, over the Wye Bridge and to the Castle.
A final photo shoot and drink in the pub and we all clambered aboard the bus to make our way home.

This had certainly been a challenge, the River Wye may be a 135 miles in length but we had covered 153 in 9 days.
The weather had been mixed with an awful first afternoon giving way and breaking into high summer at the end. The last 51/2 days in particular being very kind for us in the canoes.
The river had also played its part running at its highest for that time of year for several years making the paddling less arduous than it could have been.
Everyone who made the journey knew they had been on a challenge. We’re all getting older and the accumulative effect makes it harder to catch up with a nights rest.
Despite this, we all had fun most of the time and the scenery is stunning although it would be nice to have the time to take it all in.
This was the last Challenge we would undertake although we will still be getting together and taking Shaun on some less adventurous treks where there is no pressure to achieve.

Watch this space!

The Team
Colin - our Driver, cook and general fixer
Dick
Joannie
Lawrence - quartermaster
Louise
Mark - our canoe expert
Martin
Paul
Richard
Shane
Stigs - our cameraman for more pics

Thanks to Jane and everyone at Wye Valley Canoes
Thanks to everyone at all the campsites we stayed at
Thanks to Saxon Hill for the use of their new bus
Thank to Stuart at Burton Canoe Club for showing us the rudiments of canoeing
Thanks to Mike for editing the video

Once again thanks to Delichon for the buggy without which none of this would have been possible.

Finally THANK YOU to everyone who sponsored us, you really have made a difference to Saxon Hill.