51
Trip Reports / Re: Thames Source to Sea: Hurley to Windsor 3 Nov 2007
« Last post by Peter on April 13, 2009, 11:24:19 PM »Draft web page can be found at http://www.civilservicecanoeclub.org.uk/page/ThamesHurleyWindsorNov07
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Recent Posts
52
Trip Reports / Thames Source to Sea: Hurley to Windsor 3 Nov 2007
« Last post by Chris on April 11, 2009, 01:36:00 PM »Chris, Alex, Beth, Russ, Martin and Dan Jones met up at Hurley at around 9.30am. Julian was unable to paddle but very kindly assisted with the car shuttle.
We were fortunate to have picked a very fine autumnal day to paddle this very scenic 15 mile section of the Thames which flows past steep wooded hills to the right at Marlow and to the left at Cliveden. Picturesqe riverside towns, bridges, houses, locks and boathouses provided plenty of interest along the way.
Alex and Chris paddled a folding double Longhaul kayak (very similar to a Klepper) which Alex assembled and disassembled with incredible speed.
Despite the relatively early start it fell dark just before we arrived at Windsor.
Distance 15 miles.
Get-in: Hurley lock (car park near church postcode SL65NB GR SU825840).
Get-out: River right just below the Windsor and Eton Bypass Bridge (A332) adjacent to Windsor Leisure Centre (GR SU957773).
Chris's photos here.
Martin's photos here.
We were fortunate to have picked a very fine autumnal day to paddle this very scenic 15 mile section of the Thames which flows past steep wooded hills to the right at Marlow and to the left at Cliveden. Picturesqe riverside towns, bridges, houses, locks and boathouses provided plenty of interest along the way.
Alex and Chris paddled a folding double Longhaul kayak (very similar to a Klepper) which Alex assembled and disassembled with incredible speed.
Despite the relatively early start it fell dark just before we arrived at Windsor.
Distance 15 miles.
Get-in: Hurley lock (car park near church postcode SL65NB GR SU825840).
Get-out: River right just below the Windsor and Eton Bypass Bridge (A332) adjacent to Windsor Leisure Centre (GR SU957773).
Chris's photos here.
Martin's photos here.
53
Trip Reports / Re: Mid Wales trip - 20-22 March 2009
« Last post by Chris on March 27, 2009, 01:37:35 PM »
54
Trip Reports / Re: Mid Wales trip - 20-22 March 2009
« Last post by Bridget on March 26, 2009, 01:10:19 AM »55
Trip Reports / Re: Mid Wales trip - 20-22 March 2009
« Last post by Peter on March 24, 2009, 06:52:49 PM »Stewart's photos - http://www.civilservicecanoeclub.org.uk/csccgallery/thumbnails.php?album=15
56
Trip Reports / Mid Wales trip - 20-22 March 2009
« Last post by dan jones on March 24, 2009, 01:58:35 PM »On 20-22nd March 2009 we returned to mid-Wales for a relaxing spot of white water/touring. Beth, Bridget, Hils, Amelia, Pete, Stewart, Chris, Martin and Dan J. were able to make the trip up to Welshpool from London. Diane was already on the spot.
On the Saturday we paddled on the River Vyrnwy, launching at Pontsgawrhyd (accessing the river over private land with the permission of the owner) and getting off at the road bridge immediately before the Shropshire Union canal aqueduct. Overall the conditions were probably grade 2; there were no big drops, but there were some sharp turns where you had to put in a few strong paddle strokes to get out of the main flow to avoid being taken near submerged tree branches.
The river was less fun for sheep, however - we saw plenty of floating corpses - and when Chris and Diane spotted two pathetic looking blind creatures cowering on a ledge they sprung into action, getting out of their boats to affect a rescue. Dan J. cheered them on loudly as the sheep were plucked from the water. Unfortunately as this rescue was in progress Martin was having to perform one of his own as the rest of the group waited downstream. Whoops!
At one point I was worried that it would take until midnight to reach our destination, progress was so slow, but the flow of the river picked up noticeably after the confluence with the River Cain. This was a very enjoyable day's paddling and not easy to better.
On the Sunday we tackled the River Severn from Pool Quay to the road bridge at Llandrinio. There was an early bit of excitement with a rapid, which we played in for a few minutes, but that gave way to much more placid conditions and the only hazards were overhanging tree branches. That did mean that we had plenty of opprtunities for spotting wildlife and saw a couple of kingfishers, loads of buzzards and the odd freshwater mussel (a sign of good water quality?) The river meanders incredibly tightly close to Breidden Hill, so you have the odd sensation of going round at round in circles. The bridge at our get-out was a good place for practising ferry glides, but after paddling so many miles in white water boats few had the energy left.
We were lucky to have some lovely spring sunshine throughout the weekend. This made our lunch stops and Amelia's adventures a lot more enjoyable, but we slightly regretted not travelling to Wales earlier in March. Low water levels meant we were unable to paddle on the River Banwy. Between Llanfair and Meifod is our favourite stretch of river in the area for mixed ability groups. The Tanat is less good and choked with trees, although it is more scenic than the stretch of the Seven which we paddled this time.
We stayed at Tynllwywn Farm (as in previous years). The B & B is excellent value at £40 per night for a single room and £29 for sharers (a self catering cottage is £70). The rooms are huge, spotlessly clear and with nice warm showers. The lounge has a real log fire and a large TV (it was the final weekend of the Six Nations). Mrs Emberton is a great cook and David Emberton is a very polite and attentive host.
We went for dinner at the Raven public house which is a twenty minute walk along the Welshpool road from Tynllwywn (it's a fast road, so it's sensible to wear reflective clothing and to wear a head torch). This pub is warmly recommended; the food portions are huge and the quality very good. The bar staff were friendly even to non-locals.
It was great to see Diane, Ian and Jake again. They are so lucky to live in such a beautiful part of the country!
Dan
On the Saturday we paddled on the River Vyrnwy, launching at Pontsgawrhyd (accessing the river over private land with the permission of the owner) and getting off at the road bridge immediately before the Shropshire Union canal aqueduct. Overall the conditions were probably grade 2; there were no big drops, but there were some sharp turns where you had to put in a few strong paddle strokes to get out of the main flow to avoid being taken near submerged tree branches.
The river was less fun for sheep, however - we saw plenty of floating corpses - and when Chris and Diane spotted two pathetic looking blind creatures cowering on a ledge they sprung into action, getting out of their boats to affect a rescue. Dan J. cheered them on loudly as the sheep were plucked from the water. Unfortunately as this rescue was in progress Martin was having to perform one of his own as the rest of the group waited downstream. Whoops!
At one point I was worried that it would take until midnight to reach our destination, progress was so slow, but the flow of the river picked up noticeably after the confluence with the River Cain. This was a very enjoyable day's paddling and not easy to better.
On the Sunday we tackled the River Severn from Pool Quay to the road bridge at Llandrinio. There was an early bit of excitement with a rapid, which we played in for a few minutes, but that gave way to much more placid conditions and the only hazards were overhanging tree branches. That did mean that we had plenty of opprtunities for spotting wildlife and saw a couple of kingfishers, loads of buzzards and the odd freshwater mussel (a sign of good water quality?) The river meanders incredibly tightly close to Breidden Hill, so you have the odd sensation of going round at round in circles. The bridge at our get-out was a good place for practising ferry glides, but after paddling so many miles in white water boats few had the energy left.
We were lucky to have some lovely spring sunshine throughout the weekend. This made our lunch stops and Amelia's adventures a lot more enjoyable, but we slightly regretted not travelling to Wales earlier in March. Low water levels meant we were unable to paddle on the River Banwy. Between Llanfair and Meifod is our favourite stretch of river in the area for mixed ability groups. The Tanat is less good and choked with trees, although it is more scenic than the stretch of the Seven which we paddled this time.
We stayed at Tynllwywn Farm (as in previous years). The B & B is excellent value at £40 per night for a single room and £29 for sharers (a self catering cottage is £70). The rooms are huge, spotlessly clear and with nice warm showers. The lounge has a real log fire and a large TV (it was the final weekend of the Six Nations). Mrs Emberton is a great cook and David Emberton is a very polite and attentive host.
We went for dinner at the Raven public house which is a twenty minute walk along the Welshpool road from Tynllwywn (it's a fast road, so it's sensible to wear reflective clothing and to wear a head torch). This pub is warmly recommended; the food portions are huge and the quality very good. The bar staff were friendly even to non-locals.
It was great to see Diane, Ian and Jake again. They are so lucky to live in such a beautiful part of the country!
Dan
57
Trip Reports / Re: Wandle 1 March 2009
« Last post by Peter on March 12, 2009, 08:34:22 PM »Draft web report can be found at...
http://www.civilservicecanoeclub.org.uk/index.php?page=WandleMarch2009
http://www.civilservicecanoeclub.org.uk/index.php?page=WandleMarch2009
58
Trip Reports / Re: Wandle 1 March 2009
« Last post by DanH on March 11, 2009, 04:58:20 PM »Good photos and trip report!!
It may be the case that the division in the river Dan J mentioned is meant to lead to a fast and slow channel after heavy rain. - perhaps there used to be a water-wheel on one side? -there's a local history challenge for someone!
It may be the case that the division in the river Dan J mentioned is meant to lead to a fast and slow channel after heavy rain. - perhaps there used to be a water-wheel on one side? -there's a local history challenge for someone!
59
Trip Reports / Re: Wandle 1 March 2009
« Last post by dan jones on March 10, 2009, 01:48:59 PM »Must do a trip report before I get all muddled. Let's see now.
On Sunday 1st March 2009 Alex organised a trip down the River Wandle in South London. Luis, Dan H., Dan J. Chris and novice paddler, Ed, also turned out. It was a lovely sunny day.
We got on the river at Merton Abbey Mills. Although there appeared to be a farmers' market in progress we were able to find free road side parking spaces very close by on Station Road. Launching our kayaks by the (pretty) water wheel proved quite straightforward.
The trip was gritty urban paddling at its most entertaining. Members of the public seemed surprised to see people boating on what is to many South Londoners little more than a convenient waste disposal facility. In many of the stretches of the river which Chris and his volunteer friends have not yet cleaned up there are all sorts of obstacles to paddle around - I counted five motorscooters. And yet somehow the water seemed really clean. How? There were plenty of anglers and several claimed to have caught a bite.
A few features stand out.
The tunnel underneath Southside shopping centre is fantastic. It's really dark and long and without a head torch it would be pretty scary. Even with a head torch you couldn't see much apart from the luminous tape on everyone else's bouyancy aids.
Earlier on there is another much briefer underground section - after zooming down a slope you get water fired at you from the side. Fun too.
There are some stretches where the river has been diverted along what closely resembles a concrete ramp from a multi storey car park. It was split down the middle by a barrier, but we didn't figure out why. All quite strange.
We went down several weirs. The one which sticks in my mind has a steep slide and then at the bottom there is a large pipe which you have to duck under. It was easy when we tackled it, but if the river were at a higher level this might have been tricky.
We managed to find a good little play wave which provided good practice for Ed who was new to breaking in and out and ferry gliding. No swims = an excellent result.
We got out just before the Wandle joins the Thames (The Causeway, Wandsworth) and after scraping off the mud we went for a lunch at the Queen Adelaide pub nearby on Putney Bridge Road. We all opted for the tasty fish and chips and then set off for home.
Our thanks go to Alex for organising a quirky fun day out.
Dan
On Sunday 1st March 2009 Alex organised a trip down the River Wandle in South London. Luis, Dan H., Dan J. Chris and novice paddler, Ed, also turned out. It was a lovely sunny day.
We got on the river at Merton Abbey Mills. Although there appeared to be a farmers' market in progress we were able to find free road side parking spaces very close by on Station Road. Launching our kayaks by the (pretty) water wheel proved quite straightforward.
The trip was gritty urban paddling at its most entertaining. Members of the public seemed surprised to see people boating on what is to many South Londoners little more than a convenient waste disposal facility. In many of the stretches of the river which Chris and his volunteer friends have not yet cleaned up there are all sorts of obstacles to paddle around - I counted five motorscooters. And yet somehow the water seemed really clean. How? There were plenty of anglers and several claimed to have caught a bite.
A few features stand out.
The tunnel underneath Southside shopping centre is fantastic. It's really dark and long and without a head torch it would be pretty scary. Even with a head torch you couldn't see much apart from the luminous tape on everyone else's bouyancy aids.
Earlier on there is another much briefer underground section - after zooming down a slope you get water fired at you from the side. Fun too.
There are some stretches where the river has been diverted along what closely resembles a concrete ramp from a multi storey car park. It was split down the middle by a barrier, but we didn't figure out why. All quite strange.
We went down several weirs. The one which sticks in my mind has a steep slide and then at the bottom there is a large pipe which you have to duck under. It was easy when we tackled it, but if the river were at a higher level this might have been tricky.
We managed to find a good little play wave which provided good practice for Ed who was new to breaking in and out and ferry gliding. No swims = an excellent result.
We got out just before the Wandle joins the Thames (The Causeway, Wandsworth) and after scraping off the mud we went for a lunch at the Queen Adelaide pub nearby on Putney Bridge Road. We all opted for the tasty fish and chips and then set off for home.
Our thanks go to Alex for organising a quirky fun day out.
Dan
60
Trip Reports / Wandle 1 March 2009
« Last post by Chris on March 03, 2009, 03:13:21 PM »Luis's photos are here: http://picasaweb.google.com/mmsi253902412/CSCCWandle1March2009?feat=directlink