"Show me the money"

Photo: Hendri C

Short story - we went, we saw, we hucked.
Short history - this so called 'no-brainer' waterfall on the Straundalelva got it's name 'money drop' after a cash prize was offered to anyone who dared run it, during extremesportveko, -an annual festival here in Voss. Since the first decent in the late 90's, it has been run at many water levels, usually paying out but not always. Paddles, kayaks, it has eaten them all!

Don't Celebrate too early!

Boofing 'Marthe', low water on the Straundal. (All photos: Dave Annear, VRS)

Levels did drop here in Voss, so we moved across to the Raundal. A pretty full on river to raft; drops, long rapids and places you really don't want to go! Here's some recent pics. It's been raining for the last couple of days so we're back to the Straundal and more rains coming, summer has missed norway this year.

Staff training on the Raundal, where the client's don't get top go, Timber Hole.

"Just hold on, you'll be fine"

Rapid 'Trouble' - Raundal. Yes it did end in tears, but got rid of their hangovers...

Always tie your cow up, a little anecdote!

We thought we were on to a winner, Hendri, Birger and myself, when we were asked to retrieve a cow last week. It had found it's resting point on an island in the middle of the Vosso. The cow was dead of course, but it hadn't been for long. All its parts were still intact but, by balderdash, it smelt! We were able to name our price to the local kommune, who'd asked us to remove it, so reluctantly we offered high, which they happily accepted, bonus! When we got there the job was easier than we'd expected too, the cow was a calf and the dead weight was filled with gas, so it floated. With a simple lasso and kayak to tow it, we had it across the river in a jiffy.

A couple of days later, our boss, Froda, received a phone call to say that our cow had gone missing! It was definitely dead, it smelt so, so it didn't go anywhere on it's own. The river had risen though, Sherlock could of worked out what might of happened here. Or alternatively, it was left to rest near the local fishing club's boat, so they might of picked up the bounty for themselves? Eitherway we're now left, having pulled hard labour, with no product of service to invoice for, so in limbo as to whether we'll get paid. That's why you should always tie up your cow!

Hilsing fra Norge!!

Apart from the persistent rain, everything is here in Norway; great scenery, great people, good rivers and good work. I'm rafting here in Voss, (www.vossrafting.no) alongside an all star cast ('although they wouldn't admit it'), it makes for a good show! The hot tubs, sauna and spa by the lake aren't bad too, plush is an understatement. As far as rafting centres go, this is the Ritz in number one prime location. The relaxation is much need though, I've been pulling muscles in places I didn't know muscles existed, coupled with tiring trips on a hectic river, it's a high workload job. But I love it, and can still get kayaking on some of the best rivers from anywhere, afterwards!

the VRS (note centre is Senter over here!)

(me flipping in Cora for the second time in the day!)

(Christy getting a sweet line in Lila)