We decided back in the summer that after two and a half years of working every day (although I have to admit it might be hard physical work but it certainly isn’t like our earlier working years where we were plagued with stress, fatigued and all the other issues that go with running a business. And my grandson and the whole of my family believe my new life is one big holiday!) that we would keep Sunday’s as our sacred day, a day for exploration, for fun and for building up those memorable experiences.
So with that in mind and with Charlie over for half term I suggested going (and yes, you read correctly it was my suggestion!) white water rafting (not really thinking a lot about what we would be doing!) and of course the boys were up for it and within a second the date was booked and yesterday Rich, Charlie and I set off for our experience.
OMG, OMG, OMG!
I didn’t sleep at all well, I woke up with one of those funny tummies and I was trying very hard not to think about what we would be doing. The boys were just so excited and took great delight in telling me all about the dangers, perils and how many people had died on the Lima. Several times I stuck my fingers in my ears and went “La, la, la!” loud enough not to hear what they were saying.
I have a fear of water, I can swim but I am not a strong swimmer, not elegantly and I love as many people know around here with pools, I love going to pool parties, always one of the first people to enter the water. Infact I am sure that I only get invited to the Tiglio end of summer Festa for that reason! I have a fear of being fully submerged in water – who knows I might drown! So I was extremely anxious about this experience.
As we drove to Bagni di Lucca the boys chirping away in the front of the car, I didn’t see any of the beautiful countryside; it was only as we headed further out of the town as the terrain became wilder, more aggressively treacherous and in my mind dangerous that my heart started to miss a beat or two. I consciously had to push these bad thoughts out of my mind and it wasn’t long before we saw the hand crafted wooden sign for “rafting”.
The metal and wooden bridge rattled as we drove over it and although we came across a small piece of land with rafts and wetsuits hanging on the line, it wasn’t quite what we had expected, although with hindsight I didn’t know what I had been expecting. We weren’t even sure if this was the place! There were no further signs of activity and no one to be seen. We followed the road to the first house thinking it might have been theirs. Even here in Bagni di Lucca the Scottish links are strong as a lovely man spoke in broken English and Scottish wrapped in the soft melodious Italian accent as he told us “it wasn’t here but he knew they operated somewhere down by the bridge”.
So we turned around on a hill, you know one of those tiny little country roads which fall away at the sides and there is never quite enough space for the car to manoeuvre without it taking a good ten attempts. Now I am even more nervous, have we got the right place! We went back and parked the car by the bridge, Rich went one way and I went the other trying to find someone who might be able to help. The bridge under foot added to my intrepidation as it creaked, and through the cracks and loose boards, the sight and sound of the water as it roared beneath. OMG!
We hadn’t been there very long went a lovely young lady arrived in her 4x4 to greet us. As we were the only people there at this time, Rich for the first time looked really anxious. He started to worry as soon as he thought he had a woman instructor (sorry Lucia and all other ladies who might read this, he can be a bit of a chauvinistic pig at times!) But this did take away my anxiety and I couldn’t help but laugh! And he became much happier when Stefano arrived as “il capo”-The Boss!.
Although at this stage I want to add that Lucia is an amazingly skilled rafter (I think that’s what you would call her) and don’t let her beauty or size let you think otherwise. The skill and expertise of both Stefano and Lucia gave me absolute confidence that this would be a great experience. Whilst we were waiting for another group of people to come from Florence we were given our outfits for the day. I was shown to the dressing rooms which were two tents by the side of the rafts, they were clean, private and they did the job.
Lucia Pedri is not just a skilled rafter but also an artist with many years experience. She has appeared on barganews many times --
An exhibition in Castelnuovo Garfagnana featuring the latest work by Lucia Pedri has just closed but on the last day, Lucia sat down with barganews to record a brief conversation about the exhibition, her work and the problems with censorship which has recently curtailed some of her finely detailed allegorical paintings. -- full article and interview with Lucia Pedri can be seen here
It wasn’t long before the group of young men and women arrived, and shortly after them a father and his six year old daughter, now my confidence was sky high. We were almost ready, any sign of anxiety had passed and I was feeling really excited about doing this. We laughed as Rich tried hard to get into a wet suit that was about two sizes too small and then the only helmet that they had for him because of his big head, was similar to ones that you would see jockey’s wear on a race course. How we laughed. What a great way to start an experience and I have to say that throughout the whole day I had a smile on my face.
We were all given a briefing in Italian but together with the visual actions of Luci even Charlie who doesn’t understand any Italian knew what he had to do and it was later to prove a good way to learn “Avanti”, “Indietro” “Sinestra” and “Destra”. Something I had problems with in English often up until the time I was married and could use the wedding ring as a kind of code, having to write a large “L” and “R” on the relevant hand in order to remember which way was which. And I am really sure that if you buy Rich a drink he will tell you how good a navigator I am often mixing up my left with my right and shouting at him for not knowing I had meant left instead of right. Often having a heated discussion as I point out you can only turn right on a roundabout!
It was then all hands on deck as we carried the rafts to the water banks. We were now under the rickety old bridge, there was a small rapid and then a pool of calm. We were all surprised as we were told to follow Lucia and do exactly as she did! And one by one, we walked to the rapids, crossing as far as we could before sitting or falling into the fast running water and being carried away with the current, learning to roll out of the current and swim to the bank. I don’t know if it was the adrenaline or the wetsuits but for me the water didn’t feel that cold, it was actually quite a pleasant experience.
I was surprised at how busy the river became there were lots of people coming out in their kayaks and braving the weather. All of them supporting huge smiles and knowing how much fun the Lima could be.
Now into the rafts and a practise session, as Stefano took us, and Luci took the youngsters from Florence. “Avanti” “Sinestra indietro” “Destra Avanti” Stefano would shout and we would all attempt to interpret and paddle, to start of with it was a mass of oars bashing against each other but it wasn’t long before we were kind of in sync! Well in sync of sorts and it was amazing how when you where in the throes of the rapids how your mind went blank and it was the skill of the experts that kept us safe and on course.
Over the last week we have all seen the destructive power that running water can have the landslides and devastation that hit the valley, roads and homes swept away. Now we were feeling the power at close quarters and I cannot put into words how exhilarating this is. We really had to work hard to overcome the power of the rapids, in a few instances losing control as we would be thrown against a rock. But it was great to be part of the fun side, messing about on water is such good fun and this was no exception.
Stefano and Lucia are experts, they understand the Lima, they have the ability to read the waterway ahead, and providing we did as they said we rode each rapid without any issues, able to feel so close to the water and rocks as they work together to create a natural play park for us to enjoy.
But it wasn’t a journey of just rapids and the thrill of riding the waves, after each rapid was a place of pure calm, the water hardly seen to be moving, giving us the opportunity to see the beautiful location, the old and abandoned mills which once would have been powered by the shear force of this magnificent river, the skills of people long gone as they built walls, towers, houses and mills along the water banks. In one place someone has taken the time to carve a Budda that watches over the river and all who pass by adding to the awe and the mystery of the Lima.
About half way through our journey we stop along the bank, we all climbed the banks and there is a place where the brave (here I would add that I am not that brave and I hate to confess I did chicken out!) could jump some 15ft into the water below. Charlie has no fear, being the first to take the plunge, I so wanted to do it, I walked to the top, I stood on the edge (which is really good for me as I have a fear of heights too!), everyone counting and supporting me, but as my legs turned to jelly I knew there was no way I could take that step and jump off the rock! I am so annoyed with myself more now than when I walked back down the bank. But next time, Rich and I will jump together.
We continued on down the river, riding rapid after rapid. How exhilarating and liberating it was, I have to confess that not once was it ever frightening and that is down to Stefano and Lucia. We formed the local attraction for the people of Bagni di Lucca who waved and cheered us on. Even when it started to rain, (and yes, this is something that you can do on those grey, drizzly, wet days when normally you would be confined to the house) nothing could dampen our enthusiasm and excitement.
We were preoccupied waving at the tourists wrapped up in their winter gear as they watched on in amazement at the crazy people in small rubber boats bobbing about in the water that we didn’t power through the rapids, instead unceremoniously getting stuck on a rock! The other guys sailed through as if they were experts, as if they had been white water rafting forever but we had to spend a few minutes rocking ad laughing before freeing ourselves from our perch.
Even the ride back to base was extreme and fun; with all twelve of us managing comfortably I would add, to get into the minibus, rafts tied to the top. You could feel the excitement as we all contemplated on what we had just achieved we had spent four almost five hours on the river riding the rapids – OMG!
I soooo want to go again, so anyone interested in joining us let us know, we need a minimum group of 6-8 people email me: carol.condurrouk@gmail.com
Or if you prefer to get your own group together contact Stefano and Lucia : info@aguaraja.com or visit their website www.aguaraja.com
River Lima WW Rafting in Bagni di Lucca
You can raft down the rapids of WW III of Lima near Bagni di Lucca from October to June.
We provide all the technical stuff: neoprene wetsuit, helmet, life jacket, water jacket and the paddle. After a brief explanation of what to do on board the boat, the guide takes you on an unforgettable adventure.
Rafting is done on river Lima from Cevoli to Ponte a Diana (municipality of Bagni di Lucca), where you can do the BIG SLIDE; the descent It’s 5 km length and takes about 1 hour and half. If the water level allows, we go to Casinò of Bagni di Lucca, for a total of 8 km. There we find the Fountain of Hot Thermal Water “la Cova” -- their site is here
I highly recommend it for an OMG day out.
We were then fortunate to have dinner with Sergio and Diana who once again spoilt us with local mountain cuisine. It was a wonderful way to end a perfect day eating and drinking with our special Italian family. Just how lucky can we be!
Article by Sensone