Day 6 Alrewas

There were three in a boat and the little one said...

Went canoodling down the canal today. I’m not really sure it’s a proper word but we’re in inflatable kayaks. I think the term comes from crossing canoeing and noodles (like the ones for water play as apposed to those found in chow mien).

Nicholas and I are going out with Cheryl, Mum, Marcus, Seb and a friend of Seb’s called Tom. We launched three canoes into the canal behind the house. Each canoe holds and adult, a child and a couple of oars. Save for Cheryl’s as Seb and Tom go together. These things are exceptionally stable and highly unlikely to tip over; none the less all the kids have life jackets.

One of the most exciting points in this little adventurette was when we took it in turns to go down the weir. Marcus took Nicholas on the first run. I took Seb and Tom on the second. Then Marcus and I ‘raced’ Nan and Nicholas.  As the short video may indicate a little cheating may be in evidence before Marcus declared us the winners. It may require a photo finish judgment.

On our return trip Marcus and Nicholas travelled together. Marcus did the lion’s share of the “oaring”- as Seb would call it. But there is one rather narrow stretch where laden tree branches overhang the stream. It was while trying to avoid one of those dangling leafests  Marcus accidentally got himself rather badly stung by some nettles hanging out in a nearby reed bed. 

While gallantly trying to steer the canoe away he dug the paddle in a little too deeply and brushed against the nettles. Immediately the pain enflamed his arm and there was nothing to do but collapse into the boat in agony.

Both Marcus and Nicholas called out for assistance and I rather callously called back:

“There’s not much we can do from here. You’ll have to man up and keep paddling.”

There were a few more calls of “I can’t” and “it’s too difficult” but Nicholas took the paddle and ‘oared’ towards Nan and I. By the time they reached us Nan had managed to collect some ‘doc’ leaf.  Marcus applied it to his arm and after a few minutes to recover felt like he could take the oar and feel he can complete the circuit.

I said it as a joke but both boys did, in fact “man up and keep paddling.”

Family portrait