French Alps 2013 (No.2)

Oh sh*t, it’s another STC post about France, and we’re bringing you some banging info this time. Since the last post, Cardiff Uni had their initiation, and it was great fun. Initiation was on Thursday, and the day started with a 3am thunderstorm. This fed the rivers more than Honey Boo Boo’s redneck mother feds her unfortunate daughter.

Honey Boo Boo and her Mom :-(

So when we arrived at the Lower Claree, we saw it was bank full and a complete no go, later finding out that the authorities had closed the Durance and no paddling was to take place. So in this situation there is only one thing to cheer up a group of paddlers: McDonalds. It was here a decision was made to chill out for the rest of the day and head back to the campsite ready for initiation. One of the group (Blake May – LAD) was particularly awesome, as he dressed up in cycling gear, a homemade helmet and cycled through Exeter Uni’s camp singing God Save Our Queen (saying it was his own choice may be stretching the truth a little though):

Blake impersonating the puppet from Saw

The evening started with the world’s greatest Biryani, which was prepared by yours truly, Stu and Jonny. Then the fun started with a dance off by the fresher’s showing that they really have a random imagination. They were given a song to prepare a dance to, and being a typical gym song for a group of chubbos to synchronise their fat jiggles to, I was imagining some sort of gym based workout routine. This didn’t occur; there were zombies, paddles and bullets from elbows. It was as though they had passed ideas through a crack addict, who threw up on the 28 days later script and then they took what they could read and added a small amount of Little Mix in. The night ended with Jonny being invited back to an Exeter paddler’s tent for fun time. The fact that this chap also though Jonny was giving some signs off made everyone’s evening, but Jonny declined this poor guy’s advances. Apparently Jonny is slightly classier than a one night stand, and good on him.

Friday started with a fair few hungover looking people. Stu, Jonny and I decided a rest morning was in order. Luckily the day was deliciously sunny.

The Campsite (Rab wave)

The day was spent playing volleyball. Next year’s president (Huw) and I were a force to be reckoned with. Being the current volleyball champs at the time, we went into a game against Stu and Jonny. They had just won their last game and were feeling confident. However they were now up against Cardiff Uni’s Volleyball gods, and they felt our wrath. With the first game scoring 11-4, Huw and I thought we would give them a better chance in the second game. Unfortunately we are just too good to be giving points away and once again won with a score around the 11-5 mark.

Saturday started with the Gyronde, which we paddled with members of the Uni club. This was a nice little run, and was slightly higher than the last time we ran it. The afternoon was spent with two runs of the Briançon Gorge, which was quality. Nice high level for a tasty and interesting afternoon paddle. The slide at the start was a good laugh, with some nice photos taken:

Me hitting the Briancon Gorge Slide

Volleyball pro partner (Huw) hitting up the slide

Be sure to keep your eyes open for another post, this time with some more boating as levels seem to be dropping a little.

Till then...