Andy LM's Adventures

[The following is extracted from an email from Andy, 18 April 2007]

I have broken away from the trials and tribulations of fatherhood, not to mention old age, twice this season. Not a glowing indictment but also not a total abandoment which is all too easy to do [Andy was the only active Harare paddler at the time, with Ian A flitting in and out].

Epic on the Inyauri
The first river was a new one the Inyauri. It's about 5-10 ks before Bindura coming from the Domboshawa/Chinamora road ie from Borrowdale. Ian was with me and so I can blame him for everything that happened that day, as it was his idea to do it.

The Inyauri is a classic small flood river. We slipped into the calm muddy brown waters below the the high road bridge, after some serious rain the day before. After 100-500m the weir in front turned into a flooded low level bridge.ian leapt out and said go for it. This I did but a little too cautiously as the level of the river was the level of the top of the bridge before it dropped underneath. So I became pinned onto one of the bridge supports. No worries - Ian and I got it off and then the flow on the pushed the boat under and upside-down as I entered the tunnel. No worries again as hold until thru and then roll. Problem now is the water flow is 2 inches above the rocks and for about 50ms I'm dragged across granite trying to roll, had my head slammed into a rock and then I'm swimming as I leave the impressive stopper at the end.

I was in shock with very bloody hands and I'm sure now from the bumps on the finger a fractured one-trying to roll and the imprint of my helmet on my forehead - no lie. Ian of course cruises thru. Pretty flat thank God for the next hour or so and then as it goes into the gorge which goes into Arcadia dam, the drama goes up and I say enough. Ian carries on while I walk down the right of the gorge and it's mighty impressive white water.

When I arrive at the bottom there's no sign of Ian, so I'm cross, but find him portaging too - a sign of the intensity. Ian did do the last 2 drops into the dam - Zambezi size.

We finally get back to Ian's car and then drive to mine at the start, by then happy with life again. Until I get out of Ian's car and discover I have no key for mine. It was tied into my shorts and now just an empty string remains!!!

To cut a very long and expensive story short, my lighties had lost my spare and I had to go out with a tow truck to get the car back and then have new keys cut etc etc. I think the key is at the bottom of the Inyarui at the low level bridge. Probably find it in the dry season!

Easy Run on the Pungwe
About a month later,I hastily borrowed Will's Juliasdale cottage ie on the Friday and went up on the Friday,with the family. The sudden urge being to do the Pungwe. As usual lane-mitchell has no mates so an ace up trip. I didn't do the pungwe last year so unsure what to expect.

Well the Red Dragon Lodge [in the Honde Valley - a short walk from the commercial section of the Pungwe] is still there but Pat and Iris have sold and left. It's now owned by some Air Zim guy. This Barbara discovered when she and boys pulled in as I towed the plastic to the river, scaring some bobos from the maize.

Great high level and such sweet white clean water and this despite the march up into the valley of new settlers. This virgin forest - does it have to be resettled? There's a rope bridge now across the pool where you start - when you're not with Ian [who likes to start a but higher up to warm up on the grade 4 and 5 rapids before the calmer commercial run].

Being ace up and still with the scars of the Inyauri fresh on mind and hands, i was very nervous. It was a pity as I just wanted to get the big rapids over with, instead of enjoying the trip. The result was a very fast run, but a great one. I'd love to go and do it again as there's been a heap of rain this last w/end and I see the 6th cyclone this season is hitting Madagascar, so there's reason to go and so I'll just have to see.

If you come in Oct are you staying for next year's season, should still be one even if there's no economy left?

On a cheerful note had the lighties in the boat at the Nyangombi pool.