trying out the boat

For his coaching course, Evan needs to get as much practice as possible so he's always a willing accomplice on a day trip, We're heading out tomorrow. I took Ricky up on his offer and borrowed his canoe. He even offered to pick us up at the end of the journey, but he won't be available until 4pm. Evan only has a half day off work, so his mum volunteered to do the shuttling instead.

Ricky was great, checking we know what we're doing, volunteering buoyancy aids, equipment, advice and experience. He keeps a first aid kit clipped to one of the painters, there's enough flotation lashed into the boat to raise the titanic, spare buoyancy aids tucked in bow and stern, and last thing before I drove off he tossed a throw bag into the back seat of my car. We won't take it because we both have our own, but Ricky didn't know that. "Keep safe" he said again and again. He knows I've done the coaching course, but he's only ever seen me paddle at the family day on the six mile water, so he has every right to be concerned. He's still willing to loan us his canoe though, and is falling over himself to be helpful.

I dropped the boat round with Evan and we discussed tomorrow's trip until late into the night.