Tom Laws

Wordpress....

2007-02-07T16:15:00.000Z

After a long evening getting to grips with the Shiva Outdoors blog using Wordpress, I decided to move my blog over to there as well. It offers more functionality than blogger, and is the first step towards having a "real" website.

I am now at www.tomlaws.wordpress.com

Cheers

Tom

A snapshot of summer

2007-02-04T18:08:00.000Z

Hats are in this year. Pic - Lesley

A bout of unseasonal warmth and sunshine, combined with the usual February lull in water warranted some time in my squirt boat. Its surprisingly roomy once you are in! Pic - Dave Fairweather

Two fantastic afternoons were whiled away spinning around and trying to sink, utterly marvellous, as the grin plastered across my face was testament to. Not so much a mystery move, as just a mystery as to what I was trying to do. Pic - Dave Fairweather

All this tranquilly was offset rather nicely by a very heavy session in classy Bangor nightspot, the Octagon on Friday night, and the Canoe Club Christmas dinner on Saturday. Top hats were worn, and much doffing was done, as well as all the usual things, ritual burnings and so forth.Pete

The weekend was topped off fittingly taking tea in the sun in Menai Bridge. It really was a snapshot of relaxed summer living, in early February. Hurrah for taking life slowly!

...Because they are ugly and they smell.

2007-01-28T18:22:00.000Z

Pictures paint 1000 words, so here is a five thousand word tale of the weekend.("Pain au Raisin", Idwall)
("Time to Reflect", Devils Kitchen)
("George", Y Garn)("Check her out" Pont Cyfyng)("Temoral Focus, Soft Focus" Pont Cyfyng)

I had a little fishy...

2007-01-26T13:55:00.000Z

Derrynane, South West Ireland. Awesome surf spot (pic; mum)

Alas, the time has come to part with my beloved Fish. Awesome in the surf, and blisteringly quick, this boat has kept me grinning all the time I've been paddling in it. Unfortunately, the need for trips abroad, a new camera, and the bare looking fridge mean that its time to say goodbye to an old friend.

On eBay at the moment is my old (but excellent) Fuji s5600 semi compact digital camera, and my iRiver MP3 player.

Exam Season

2007-01-21T19:11:00.000Z

Students are a bit like wild animals. We have a mating season (1st Jan to 31st Dec), and can hibernate for weeks at a time, when things like milk are scarce. A tiger, who clearly is not taking exams.

Alas, unlike tigers, we also have exam seasons. These occur roughly twice a year, and are indicated by vast pilings of paper, a trail of tea stained mugs, and "revision breaks".

The "Revision Break" is an excellent concept, as it means not reading through tedious notes, and finding an excuse for adventure, before returning refreshed to the grindstone. My revision breaks this week have included; Fishermans Gorge on the Ogwen, Fairy Glen on the Conwy, Aberglaslyn Gorge, A BUCC Club Trip, and the Lledr.Did someone say "club trip"?

Exam season is nearly over, and I'm booking flights to Italy and Switzerland...

Gin Martini, shaken not spilled

2007-01-15T12:09:00.000Z

Friday afternoon found me on a train with a selection of attractive girls enjoying Lidl Pina Colada mix, and generally brightening the place up. I was on my way to Chris Eastabrook's 21st birthday party at the The Jam House in Birmingham. Dave enjoys a damn fine Gin Martini (Pic; my phone)

The Jam House is a club/bar owened by Jules Holland, so the live music from the house band was excellent, as was the quality of the Gin Martinis, but at £6 a go, you would hope so!

The next morning (afternoon) after a hearty breakfast Dave Fairweather, Chris and myself set off for North Wales, in search of kayak based excitement. Having stolen some boats from someone's back garden (cheers Sarah!) there was just time for it to get dark before a quick run down Fisherman's gorge on the Ogwen. The only obvious cure for our still raging hangovers was a trip to the union for more drinking.Andy on the last drop of the Cwm Llan. (Pic; Dave)

Sunday dawned far too early, and for some reason, the Cwm Llan seemed appealing. It is a tribute to the quality of the run that it is worth walking 2km up the side of Snowdon to get to. Mad Andy joined us, and we "laid down some fresh new school slopestylin'(TM)"Hammer... ...and head grab. Fresh (Pics; Chris Eastabrook)

Big thanks to Chris and all the people that made Jam so much fun, Helen for preparing such a hearty breakfast for us all, and Sarah for the loan of some spare creek boats!

Is Your Irn Bru Cold?

2007-01-10T01:02:00.000Z

Team Tea, Team Pikey, and Stamped Media present...
Tales of Scottish Creek Boat Heroism, of High Water, of Low Water, of tasty lines, and of sub-optimal lines. Join us on a quest to avoid work... and ask the ultimate question...
Is Your Irn Bru Cold?

Recipe for a good revision break.

2007-01-08T16:16:00.000Z

Pre fill your river to roughly "cruisy" and set in an ideal local spot.
Take one tired student, seasoned lightly with notes on chromatography, and marinade with biros and highlighters for approximately two hours.
Stir in a number of cups of tea, and allow to doze. Mix in a large bag of sweaty kit, a boat, paddles and any accessories to taste.
Place all the ingredients into the pre-filled river, and allow to flow, basting occasionally with a cheeky boof move, or rock spin.
You should find about 30 minutes is an ideal length of time to prepare your student for the next bout of mind numbing.

Half way to 40

2007-01-07T17:52:00.000Z

Ogwen run, and some pub based fun. That's all you need to celebrate no longer being a teenager!

New Year Extravaganza

2007-01-01T23:18:00.000Z

Everything started on Saturday evening with the worlds largest french fancy, followed by a tour of Cheddar sampling ale. A brief wander home in the moonlight after failed taxi services, and a horse, and all was well. Sunday started at various times for various people. Some went boating. Here Iain shows us that even fat people can go caving.
Its not a party in Somerset without Cider. And lots of it. Team Tea were in evidence. Hurrah.
Find out why Alex got shoved into a bath, Owen ran in to the wall, and what Max would do, very soon....

Sun Peaks - BC

2006-12-27T22:34:00.000Z

Its a long way to BC, but when you get there, its worth the 10 hour flight, short connection, dead legs and jet lag. If you fly at lunch time, you are treated to an 8 hour sunset.

There was steep stuff, mellow stuff, closed in tree runs, and wide open pistes, and plenty of sweet sweet powder. Local hero Chris Sladden, and Will Laws contemplate "Freddy's Nightmare"."Do you guys like tree skiing?" "Yeah....?" "Right, you gotta check out this glade, go to......"
A tip-off from one of the liftys, and we had our own glade to play in. Not too steep, but super tight in places, and with some tasty lines and drops.
Christmas day was clear and sunny, so another run through the glade, and a few hits on the last drop were in order...
...before hitting the terrain park one last time. Will Laws on the slopey up box jobbie, before getting back on a small plane with small seats, and then a larger plane with smaller seats, and snoring loudly throughout.

Top of the World

Newark

2006-12-27T22:19:00.000Z

"Swoosh"

Normally I don't like things this shallow, be they weirs or women, but this was loads of fun!"Thunk"

Further photos and a description of me as lovely (!?) can be found on Emily's blog.

Catch Up

2006-11-28T11:16:00.000Z

I've had this blog for ages, and not really put anything here, through laziness, so I think its time for a catch up, but rather than just write loads of stuff, I'll do it through pictures and video!

Back in September I went to the Wet West Paddle Fest in memory of Andy Jackson, a tip top scottish boating chap.

A little while after that, I attended the BCU student safety symposium, one day as a student, and the next as staff.

About a month ago I went to scotland again having done my 5 star assessment, which was super fun.

The alt mhuic

The lower morriston

Since then I've been longboarding quite a bit, and generally messing about.

Most recently I made it to the selcetion event for the British Univerities Kayaking Expedition, and while I didn't make the team, had a fantastic weekend, and a few of us have grand plans and enthusiasm in bucketloads to go somewhere for an adventure this summer.

Life with the Pheasantry

2006-09-20T21:33:00.000Z

I spent a very plesant hour sat in a wood taking photos of Phesants. Here's one of the best shots.

Soon it will be time to chase them through the woods, and over the hills to waiting guns.

I have a Blog...

2006-09-15T15:36:00.000Z

I have a blog. This is all very nice, as it allows me to stick my best photos and what I've been up to for friends, relations, wellwishers and fans to read. I hope this proves useful for people who aren't in direct contact to see what I have been up to!

Much Love

Tom xx

I have a new blog!

2006-08-21T11:43:00.000Z

Well everyone else has one, seems rude not have one as well.