Our journey commenced on what turned out to be one of the hottest spring days on record. Despite a brief thunder scare halfway through, my companion Steve and I were greeted by scorching 25+ degree heat for most of the way—an experience shared by the rest of England, evident in the abundance of riverbank barbecues and picnics.
We began by joining Regents Canoe Club on Monday, February 7th, followed by an intensive training course to ensure we were both physically and technically prepared for the challenge of kayaking across the country in what felt like a glorified plastic bucket.
While spending all day basking in the British countryside may sound idyllic, the reality of sitting for 14 hours a day, navigating endless corners of water, proved to be mentally taxing. The challenge tested our endurance, patience, and stamina more than physical strength, though we hadn't anticipated just how sore our bottoms would become.
However, thanks to the bean game, the support of fellow travellers we met along the way, and the camaraderie between Steve and me, the journey was ultimately rewarding.
I must express my gratitude to our friends and family for their unwavering support throughout the voyage. Their food supply drop-offs and halftime motivational speeches were invaluable, making the trip all the more memorable.
And finally, the beer awaiting us at Teddington Lock upon our arrival was undoubtedly worth the wait.
