Sarah's Birthday Bash

Sarah invited her closest friends... and us, to her annual garden gathering. After a good table-tennis thrashing, we settled down to the serious business of scoffing the gorgeous party food.

Eventually the celebrations took their inevitable toll and we had to re-energise in the hammock:

Flashing Blade

Hannah and Jerry filled in the 'missing' section between Ross and Kerne Bridge of our paddleboarding the Wye challenge. Due to a Health and Safety ruling, the orange bullet had to go first on all the dodgy bits which were fast and lumpy due to recent rains.

East of The Exe

Loaded up with a birthday hamper, we began a cultural weekend of self-improvement. The seldom open La Ronde welcomed us first, then after a bracing walk along the seafront at Exmouth, where normal summer service had resumed, we rested. Dividing our resources for Saturday, we achieved simultaneous windsurfing and shopping. Sunday was a blur of stately homes separated by roast dinner at Bickleigh. A surfeit of port, cheese and fresh air left us sleepy but satisfied. We took lots more pictures.

Anniversaries Lunch

With Monsieur Blanc and his Brasserie offering a sumptuous lunchtime menu, we thought it rude not to take him up on it. Replete with inclusive vin de table, we posed briefly for photos before heading back for an afternoon nap to recover.

Hancock's Half Day

We really enjoyed catching up with Mark, Liz, Alice, George, Louise and Arthur at the end of their UK trip and the beginning of Alice's Europe tour. Barely had we done so when they had to head off for the plane and the long haul home. See you in Oz guys!

24th Anniversary

Still riding the wave of love after all these years of wedded bliss .... Hannah made a cake to celebrate. Yum!

They're Standing Up

On the World Cup final weekend, some people think it's all over... it is now.. another first for the paddling posse: The longest SUP trip on the Wye, in the World.. ever:

We had to re-do some of the bubbly bits until we'd got the falling off just right or because the cameraperson had missed it. We bravely picked our way through squadrons of swans, avoided leaping salmon and fended off heatstroke. In our crew's understated way, we paused for autographs, generously engaged with riverside admirers and left a swell of goodwill and bonhomie in our wake. After seven and a half hours on the water we had smashed the previously un-set record and the magnitude of our achievement began to dawn on us. Because we modestly filmed our epic trip, this means you too can enjoy edited lowlights by clicking here.

Cheltenham Spa

After a walk around Painswick we enjoyed bite-sized Italian pizzas at Zizzi's followed by weight-watcher portions of hot chocolate, latte and cake at La Scala Italian deli in town. "Ciao".

Yat and Back

Not content to follow fashion, we set it: First ever Stand Up Paddle of the Wye.

Navigating safely through the most impressive and demanding rapids, we managed several 'snack' stops en route to our record-setting achievement. The ladies demonstrated multi-tasking expertise, combining chat with outstanding short paddle techniques. The gentlemen made lots of new friends who were interested in their equipment. When you've got it, flaunt it!