Final Preparations for Team Lilo and the Tay Descent 2011

Louis the one with the boat on his shoulder! and the Moustache!

Ben aka Boots- the one with the Helmet !and no Moustache!

During the Devizes Westminster 2010 Cortisone and Beaujolais met 2 charming characters from so far South, that they must be living near the Tropics- especially when compared to the Autumnal weather we are experiencing in Scotland at the moment. This is one of the special things about the DW experience, rather like “One flew over the Cuckoos nest” the inmates- sorry participants actually tend to forge positive relationships with their fellow competitors. So as a result Louis (the nice South African) and Ben (aka Boots) are arriving in “Sunny” Scotland on Friday to take part in the Tay Descent 2011. Coming from Equatorial Dorset, boy are they in for a surprise- Beaujolais’s advice is: “do not forget to bring the Sun Block lads!”

This year Team Lilo will consist of Two Crews, both boating in Inflatable Sevylor Pointer K2′s.

A Sevylor Pointer K2 as modelled by some of the delightful Cosy Kayakers

Ben and Louis in Boat 1 and Beaujolais and Richard in Boat 2. Richard is the latest member of the Buccaneers, as a Royal Naval Champlain he brings some much needed gravitas to the situation. So for Boat 2 this year we are going for the “on an asymmetric and a prayer approach” which should be most helpful on the drops- especially with likely fast and furious expected flow on the River Tay this weekend, given the Biblically proportioned rain storms we are currently experiencing.

According to Louis, Ben is up for this challenge. Since acquiring his helmet he has not taken it off. Nor will he, until he is safely back in Southampton Airport.

There was supposed to be a 3rd Boat, with much public fanfare, television Interviews and Newspaper articles; Darcey Bussell and Cortisone had prepared us for their entry. However they have pulled out. Apparently the Two Diva’s could not find accommodation to meet their exacting demands in Perth. You would thought that with Gleneagles in reasonably close proximity they might have been satisfied, but no, still not good enough!

Cortisone is now stating that he has had a better offer as he has trials that day for the Scottish Wheelchair Rugby League Team, plus television interviews afterwards. Readers of the blog will probably think this is an example of Beaujolais unfairly ripping into Cortisone- but is is true. Cortisone is no stranger to celebrity status, already this year he was selected as Scottish Rowings… “Face for the World Championships”!! Wonders will never cease.

For those of you in the Paddling World who may have forgotten what he looks like here he is:

Cortisone (in the shades) with one of his many fans at one of his supermarket openings

Lastly, Congratulations to my DW2012 K2 partner and fellow Marsport Blogger, Antony Murr, for his successful completion of the Cardiff Half Marathon at the weekend. I understand Cardiff City Council are working hard on repairing his tracks! Well done Antony, and indeed well done to the Lovely Diane who led the big man around the course.