Departure day heralded with a flurry of boats departing the halte.
We quickly took advantage and slipped over to make use of electric and water and the lovely showers. The gas finally gave up and i quickly changed the bottles over without incident or problem pleasingly. It was sad to see bri and Steve taking the luggage to the car. It was a glorious day. We sat on the boat and watched the 300 odd kayaks representing towns from all over the region and from various classes in the morning qualifying session. It was quite a picture. The 25 km class looked gruelling with half the course pushing into a 2knot flow. We were glad to be spectators.
11 came all too quickly and with a tear in the eye, embraces hugs and kisses was a prelude to the Audi slipping away on the wrong side of the road. We waved them out of sight and drifted in silence back to the boat. It felt a little empty and very quiet. Still it had been a great week and it was time to get to work.
Collette got the washing machine out and we set about re organising the boat and giving her a good clean. In between whiles we took in the racing. The afternoon finals were proper competitive and the river was a cacophony of noise as coaches screamed at there straining crews and the crowd cheered on excitedly. It finished at about
7pm with the last solitary competitor being escorted back by all the support boats. He looked shattered but was chivvied by a rapturous welcome from the crowd and fellow competitors who had already showered and changed in the main.
The boat was draped in washing as the sunset. We went for a late evening stroll into town before I cooked a chicken chorizo Cajun style fried rice dish which was another culinary success thankfully. We raised a glass to our fabulous departed chums and started to plan the way ahead.
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