No Salt Today 13/01/2010

With everything coming to a standstill again due to the snow I decided to make the most of my day off work and go for a paddle. There would be no salt water though and judging by the state of the roads there was no salt on them either!

I set off to the River Taff which is usually only a 10 minute drive but today it took slightly longer due to the snow.

Launching from just above Radyr Weir I paddled upstream passing under the M4 motorway bridge by junction 32 towards Castell Coch.

I continue paddling upstream until I reach the railway bridge by Real Radio where I stop as there is a small stretch of faster flowing water and I didn't fancy a portage.

I stop for a bit before paddling back downstream and take some photos of Castell Coch set back amongst the trees. Castell Coch is a Victorian folly built for the 3rd Marquis of Bute in the 1870s on the ruins of a medieval castle.

Paddling back downstream I was surprised how warm it was so on reaching the Landrover I made a phone call home to see if Bobby wanted to go for a paddle, he didn't need to be asked twice.

Within the hour we were back on the water with Bobby well wrapped up but raring to go.

We again paddled upstream and Bobby had great delight paddling through the dripping water caused by the now thawing snow as we paddled under the motorway bridge.

We carried on paddling and Bobby was very pleased with himself as he managed to make it further up the river today than he has done before and seems very determined to get further taking note of every detail on the bank to use it as a marker next time.

Bobby found the paddle back a lot easier and both of us had enjoyed our day off due to the snow and maybe next time he will make it up to Castell Coch.