.jpg)
Surfing, broken Lettmann's, and Stone
A week of firsts! Last Sunday, after another particularly heavy downfall - it's official by the way, this has been the wettest Summer since records began - me and a few others made the short journey to Sawley weir, where, if the water level is just right there's an excellent surf wave.
Given that I don't do a great deal of playing, I was having an awesome time, doing a few crosses, trying not to fall in, until, and with rather a large bang, my Lettmann's snapped clean across the shaft. I couldn't believe it, I've never seen a set of Lettmann's break before!
The third first of the week revolves around what is, I have been told, a very good training site in Stone. I'm not going to hide the fact that a bit of friendly rivalry exists between the mighty Matlock (my club), and Stone. The argument usually revolves around the fact that you can actually paddle at Matlock, whereas at Stone, this generally isn't the case - at least not when I've been previously (admittedly this has only been twice).
To cut a long story short, and despite my protests, my training group decided to have an away day to Stone after the course was closed once again. I arrived with an open mind, and I admit I was enjoying myself, that is, until 'blossom' started floating down the river. Given that I'm no gardener, it didn't occur to me to question why blossom was floating down the river at the end of July..........
Only when 'nippy' Nath suggested the water was smelling a bit off did we decide to investigate further. It was then that we realised the 'blossom' was, in fact, mashed up toilet roll, and a closer examination revealed it's usual accompaniment. The final nail in the coffin, as it was, was when a perfectly formed piece of sweetcorn (I reckoned from off the cob) went floating past.
After that I've vowed never to return again, well, at least not for another 7 years :)