CSCC Reports 2009: Medway - 27 September 2009

We took advantage of some unexpected "Barbeque summer"-type weather on Sunday 27th September, paddling in Canadian canoes from Tonbridge to Teston on the River Medway.  In spite of my best efforts to abandon everyone else with some eccentric driving on the way down to Kent, Chris, Nick, Hils, Pete and I assembled at the public slipway by Tonbridge's swimming pool car park.  Having belatedly realised that we needed to do a car shuttle, we got on the water at about midday.  It was then a race against time to paddle the 11.4 miles to Teston before the car park by the bridge there closed (at 7pm). 

There were eight locks enroute and this really slowed us down.  The flow on the river was virtually non-existent and you have to portage or pass through the locks.  At a couple we tried out Chris' newly purchased lock key.  Using this to raise the sluices releases the water from the lock.  You then have to wait patiently until it is possible to push the gates open.  You are then supposed to lower the sluices again before you clear off to make it easier for the next lot of boats through.  It was odd that men seemed to be standing idly at the helm of their motor boats twiddling their thumbs while their wives had to do all the hard work.  It was nice being able to lend a hand. 

The other great feature of a couple of the locks on this stretch of the Medway is that the Environment Agency has installed a canoe slide.  One of these was at quite a steep angle and we really got some speed up going down it.  There was quite a bit of whooping with delight, although as the only paddler at the bow end of a boat, poor Nick got a bit of a soaking.

The anglers were out in force along the river bank.  They seemed a friendly bunch and we engratiated ourselves by enquiring as to what they had caught and helping retrieve the float and line for one chap (it had got entangled in tree branches).  Chris had cause to regret this when he got the hook stuck in his finger - ouch!  Later on another angler proudly showed off a pike which he had caught.  The fish was thrashing around quite a bit and had vicious looking teeth.     

The Medway looked very pretty in the warm autumn sunshine with lovely trees lining it.  I spotted a kingfisher darting up a tributary.  We also saw the castle at Tonbridge and quite a few (converted) oast houses - a distinctive feature of the Kent countryside.

Hils substituting for Pete at the half way point at East Peckham temporarily increased our speed, but we slowed again as we neared journey's end and were slightly envious when we were passed by a canadian with an outboard motor.  We arrived at Teston at 6.55pm.  I've never seen so little faffing on a club trip as we got our boats back on the cars. 

It was then off to the Anchor Inn in Yalding for dinner.  This thatched pub had friendly bar staff and our meals were filling.

Our thanks go to Chris for organising yet another excellent trip.

Summary...

• Get in: Town slipway Tonbridge. Get out: Teston Country Park
• 11.4 miles
• 8 locks of which:
  • 4 portages (including over lock gates at Town Lock)
  • 2 locks operated with windlass
  • 2 canoe slides
• Trail - good canoe platforms and slides.
• Retrieved fishing float – Chris got hooked
• Oast houses, hot air balloons, lots of anglers, canoes with outboard motors
• Timing a bit awry...

Hils and Pete's photos.
Chris's photos.