Wordpress....

After a long evening getting to grips with the Shiva Outdoors blog using Wordpress, I decided to move my blog over to there as well. It offers more functionality than blogger, and is the first step towards having a "real" website.

I am now at www.tomlaws.wordpress.com

Cheers

Tom

A snapshot of summer

Hats are in this year. Pic - Lesley

A bout of unseasonal warmth and sunshine, combined with the usual February lull in water warranted some time in my squirt boat. Its surprisingly roomy once you are in! Pic - Dave Fairweather

Two fantastic afternoons were whiled away spinning around and trying to sink, utterly marvellous, as the grin plastered across my face was testament to. Not so much a mystery move, as just a mystery as to what I was trying to do. Pic - Dave Fairweather

All this tranquilly was offset rather nicely by a very heavy session in classy Bangor nightspot, the Octagon on Friday night, and the Canoe Club Christmas dinner on Saturday. Top hats were worn, and much doffing was done, as well as all the usual things, ritual burnings and so forth.Pete

The weekend was topped off fittingly taking tea in the sun in Menai Bridge. It really was a snapshot of relaxed summer living, in early February. Hurrah for taking life slowly!

...Because they are ugly and they smell.

Pictures paint 1000 words, so here is a five thousand word tale of the weekend.("Pain au Raisin", Idwall)
("Time to Reflect", Devils Kitchen)
("George", Y Garn)("Check her out" Pont Cyfyng)("Temoral Focus, Soft Focus" Pont Cyfyng)

I had a little fishy...

Derrynane, South West Ireland. Awesome surf spot (pic; mum)

Alas, the time has come to part with my beloved Fish. Awesome in the surf, and blisteringly quick, this boat has kept me grinning all the time I've been paddling in it. Unfortunately, the need for trips abroad, a new camera, and the bare looking fridge mean that its time to say goodbye to an old friend.

On eBay at the moment is my old (but excellent) Fuji s5600 semi compact digital camera, and my iRiver MP3 player.

Exam Season

Students are a bit like wild animals. We have a mating season (1st Jan to 31st Dec), and can hibernate for weeks at a time, when things like milk are scarce. A tiger, who clearly is not taking exams.

Alas, unlike tigers, we also have exam seasons. These occur roughly twice a year, and are indicated by vast pilings of paper, a trail of tea stained mugs, and "revision breaks".

The "Revision Break" is an excellent concept, as it means not reading through tedious notes, and finding an excuse for adventure, before returning refreshed to the grindstone. My revision breaks this week have included; Fishermans Gorge on the Ogwen, Fairy Glen on the Conwy, Aberglaslyn Gorge, A BUCC Club Trip, and the Lledr.Did someone say "club trip"?

Exam season is nearly over, and I'm booking flights to Italy and Switzerland...

Gin Martini, shaken not spilled

Friday afternoon found me on a train with a selection of attractive girls enjoying Lidl Pina Colada mix, and generally brightening the place up. I was on my way to Chris Eastabrook's 21st birthday party at the The Jam House in Birmingham. Dave enjoys a damn fine Gin Martini (Pic; my phone)

The Jam House is a club/bar owened by Jules Holland, so the live music from the house band was excellent, as was the quality of the Gin Martinis, but at £6 a go, you would hope so!

The next morning (afternoon) after a hearty breakfast Dave Fairweather, Chris and myself set off for North Wales, in search of kayak based excitement. Having stolen some boats from someone's back garden (cheers Sarah!) there was just time for it to get dark before a quick run down Fisherman's gorge on the Ogwen. The only obvious cure for our still raging hangovers was a trip to the union for more drinking.Andy on the last drop of the Cwm Llan. (Pic; Dave)

Sunday dawned far too early, and for some reason, the Cwm Llan seemed appealing. It is a tribute to the quality of the run that it is worth walking 2km up the side of Snowdon to get to. Mad Andy joined us, and we "laid down some fresh new school slopestylin'(TM)"Hammer... ...and head grab. Fresh (Pics; Chris Eastabrook)

Big thanks to Chris and all the people that made Jam so much fun, Helen for preparing such a hearty breakfast for us all, and Sarah for the loan of some spare creek boats!

Is Your Irn Bru Cold?

Team Tea, Team Pikey, and Stamped Media present...
Tales of Scottish Creek Boat Heroism, of High Water, of Low Water, of tasty lines, and of sub-optimal lines. Join us on a quest to avoid work... and ask the ultimate question...
Is Your Irn Bru Cold?