overnight, i joined 40 others from leicester's paddleplus club and travelled from leicester to cotes mill near loughborough by kayak (in my case, although as you can see, there were many people in canoes too).
we met at the outdoor pursuits centre for spaghetti bolognese before setting off at midnight. a couple of stops along the way - including one at barrow where thanks to a couple of fantastic volunteers we were met with tea, coffee, biscuits, brownies etc. - and we got to our destination by first light.

progress was leisurely to say the least.
the highlight, and something that both steve and i will do again sometime soon is paddling at the front of the group on dead calm water. the stars and riverside trees are reflected in the ink black water until the bow of your boat cuts through it, setting the stars rippling back as you pass.
fantastic!

*a couple of people did ask me why after a hard week at work i would spurn the tv and a beer, deprive myself of sleep and go off and do something like this.
two answers, firstly because i'd never done it before and secondly... see above