The juniors did so well yesterday.... C2 two solid runs and finished 25th, no 50's

Callum had a great first run and just 2 couple of seconds off the seniors. Jane also a solid first run and she was happy. The results sheet show her incorrect placing so that is being sorted but she was ahead of the Nz seniors.

Some photos of the opening and all the Olympic medallists racing here were presented their race bibs.

Augsberg

Team loving Augsberg and our apartment in the old city. Gives the flexibility to wander through the old cobbled streets to shops, bakeries or just meander.
Had a sobering visit to Dachau. It inspired lots of conversation and makes it quite real as most of the team had recently read "the boy in striped pyjamas' set in Auschwitz.
Last training and boat scrutineering before demos and opening ceremony this evening.
Results can be found www.swidata.com
Race website www.kanu-schwaben-augsburg.de

Augsberg

We left Avignon after an explore of the old city. Really interesting castle- Palace de Papes and the orginal home to the Popes and Catholic Church before moving to Rome. Jane and I did a tour which was great.
We left about 1ish for the second of the 500km drives, past some typical Provence scenes, with grapes in orderly rows, fields of sunflowers and the occasional mass plantings of lavender, to arrive in Biel/Bienne about 6.30pm. Nathalie was all ready for us and cooked pizzas then took us out to a cafe on the lake for dessert (very generous of her). We had a drive up to the Swiss national sports centre and admired the view down over the valley and Lake, being serenaded by cows with bells around their necks. We all stayed at Nathalie’s new house, which was very generous of her ( she even gave up her bed for me) We had breakfast and then a trip into the shops for souvenirs and Swiss chocolate.
After lunch with Nathalie we set off on the last of the big drives, to Augsberg. ( 1500km total over the 3 days) We made good time and got to the course as planned at 6pm with plenty of time to get on the water for an open training slot. Checked into our apartment after 8 and set off for dinner at a very German restaurant recommended by Peter Micheler who owns the apartment and a rafting business at the course . The apartment is right in the old city so great location with access to lot of shops and sites. Dinner ended up being late so a short sleep before up and back to the course at 7am . Good session and then all day free to explore shops etc.
We decided to go back to the course for another open session at 6pm as we had organized a young German coach to help the juniors for the week. All went well and video review and dinner over with time to watch a movie. We have Johnny from England/Nigeria and Jane’s friend Dannielle who is doing a school exchange in Sicily staying with us, so couple of extras in the mix, which is working well.
Now Wednesday and just finished another sessions with Jurgen our German coach. The weather is a bit chilly and have had heavy rain. We are heading to Dachau, a concentration camp this arvo. Internet only at course so will post some photos tommorrow.

Avignon

We left St pe and had a training session at Pau before we hit the road to Avignon. Drove back the road we had travelled to Foix , sunflowers were now in full bloom. We stopped in Toulouse for a picnic lunch and a wander around. Jane and I got lost and arrived bak to the boys waiting for us... makes a change!
Carried on to Avignon and lots of vineyards dotting the country side. The total drive was 5 hours , mostly at 130km on motorways so not too bad. Found our hotel and very nice people and secure gated car park which is a must with kayaks on the roof.
Headed out for dinner and a wander around filled with stories of 11 and 12 years old gypsys stealing stuff. Had a gorgeous( read expensive dinner) in a small enclosed square with a massive church. Then walked down to the Palace de Papes and Pont Neuf ( Sur le pont d'avignon) if you remeber the nursery rythme. Icecreams and then to bed ready for another 5 hour drive tmoro.