River Tees - Paddling in a Winter Wonderland!

At six o'clock this morning waking up to a dark and cold day my first thought was that we wouldn't be going on our trip today considering the snow fall over night, but I was wrong being outnumbered six to one the trip was on. On the road just after seven, the start of the hundred mile journey to the river. Weather conditions here changed to dense fog on the A1 around ferrybridge but with no traffic on the road to talk of that wasn't a problem. The time we had got to the area of Ripon the sun was out and it was a glorious clear day with no sign of snow. The wonderful thought that we wouldn't see any more snow was short lived as we approached scotch Corner as the green fields turned white, our journey along the A66 confirmed that they had lots of snow and freezing fog which to be truthful didn't dampen our spirits. By the time we arrived around nine thirty it was -4 degrees and very foggy. Everyone hurriedly got sorted to get on the water at which point the sun came out, the fog lifted and literally our moods and surroundings changed and the sight of hills in the background materialised. They told me the water was cold ( especially Murray Harmer and Ryan Cocksedge ) but they all had a good days paddle and I enjoyed the fresh air....

Sean Quinn

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