A raw day on the Rawthey

With the less than notable exception, of an exceptionally small amount of open boating, the last time I paddled a river was probably more than 20 years ago. It was with a certain sense of anticipation then that I headed for the rendezvous at the Rawthey / Lune confluence on a cold and blustery day that saw the first real snowfall of the winter.
The Rawthey is a beautiful river that rises on the bleak northern slopes of Baugh Fell, east of Sedbergh; it provides a scenic paddle not without technical interest, including numerous small rapids, drops and a gorge.

Tim enters 'The Slot': an awkward and narrow passage with a corkscrew wave to finish. It had already 'finished' one of the group though Tim shot through without mishap.
By now, after a few wobbles in the unfamiliar boat (approximately 3m too short and far too wide), I was settling into the rhythm of rapids...

...and eddies, constantly amazed to find myself breaking out with barely any need for the paddle: if only I could spin a sea kayak so quickly.
Shortly after running the third of the more difficult sections - a two tiered drop entered through a narrow, rather fierce looking channel which actually proved far less problematic than the rockier alternatives to its right, followed by a quick ferry across toward the right bank and a second drop - we met the Lune.
Having run the river without a capsize, much to my surprise, I very nearly toppled myself on the grabby eddies at the confluence, a smart brace the saving sea kayaker's grace.
Footnotes:
The trip from Rawthey Bridge to the River Lune confluence is approximately 14km and is grade 3 / 4.
A guide for this section of the River Rawthey can be found here on The UK Rivers Guidebook.