February 2017. After much discussion we have decided that with a bit of training we would be fit enough to canoe the full length of the Leeds & Liverpool Canal, starting at Liverpool, then take the Aire & Calder Navigation to achieve a coast to coast canoe marathon.

The reason? Apart from the more obvious accusations of stupidity revolving around how 2 ageing guys (well, one ageing and one of his way to ageing), we hope to raise a good chunk of cash for a hard-working local charity, Cancer Support Yorkshire.

Why? That's easy, Cancer Support Yorkshire have been an important part of helping one of the men in the boat to cope with a scare with the big "C". Now well enough to take on a physical challenge it seemed fitting to undertake a coast to coast canoe trip, passing the new Cancer Support shop in Skipton en route.

Who? Andrew Wellock and Andrew Lambert are the intrepid canoeists looking to canoe 160 miles from coast to coast. Andrew Lambert took on a fundraising walking trek in 2016 from Settle to Hadrian's Wall and back and was looking for new adventure for 2017. Andrew Wellock was the one who had benefitted from the charity's support after his treatments during 2014 and 2015.

When? July 2017 has been chosen because the days are longer, the weather is warmer and we will have time to achieve sufficient fitness to be able to successfuly undertake the trip.

The problems? The primary issue, apart from a lack of fitness, was the distinct lack of a canoe but Leeds Canoe Club should allow us to beg the use of a 2-seater Canadian canoe and the necessary bits and pieces, paddles, life jackets etc (and a trolley to port the canoe around locks, canoes not being allowed in the 90 locks between Leeds and Liverpool).