Post by Mike D on Sept 24, 2012 10:44:49 GMT
Eight members of the Arun Canoe Club took part in the Medway trip 22/23 September 2012. After an eventful journey the three cars arrived at the Tonbridge slip to offload. Whilst the three drivers shuttled the cars to Yalding for the overnight stop, Roy and Luc kept an eye on Jacko and Sharon whilst I went to the co-op to buy a replacement breakfast for the one I had left in the fridge at home.
Eventually, the drivers returned and we were able to get under way. Only 15k to the camp site. The section to the first lock is quite short and as the canoe shoot was closed, we had to carry the canoes across the lock. Back on the water, we had a fantastic paddle in the sun until we came to the next lock. This one had the canoe shoot open, so I had the opportunity to try one for the first time. This proved to be very gentle and there were no mishaps. Great ;D
On to the next lock, which turned out to have a category 2 canoe shoot. Enjoyed that one, so I stopped and took a couple of photos and a video.
Video clip
Onward to lunch and a welcome rest for the unfit among us
Setting off after lunch.
Gordon who is lucky to still have a kayak, after someone untied it during the lunch stop.
On to the next lock, which had a category three canoe shoot. After traveling half way, upside down, I found out the difference between the easy and more difficult canoe shoots. Any way, with a little (lot of) help, i was back in my kayak with a little more experience.
Another paddle to warm up, and we arrived at the final canoe shoot of the day (another category three). Sharon decided to walk this one, but I was already wet and thought that lightning would not strike twice. How wrong I was. I made it down the shoot, but then capsized at the bottom. Much to the amusement of Luc and Roy (and probably the others as well)
This time instead of heading to the bank, Gordon helped me to re-access my kayak on the water (not the first time he has helped me back in).
All back on the water, we had the final paddle to Yalding where we were to camp the night.
The first sight of the camp was not quite as expected. it lacked as many good facilities as the owner lacked social skills. We were also sharing the site with seven scouts from Portsmouth who were doing their D of E. Off to the pub for a good meal and a lemonaid or two to help me sleep and then it was back to the tent to watch the clock tick by all night zzzzzzz.
Sunday eventually arrived along with the expected rain. Tents packed up, breakfast cooked and eaten and watched the site owners dog run off eating my lunch and after a long awaited shuttle, seven of us were underway. Sharon had decided to stay with the shuttle vehicles and have a rest day (I think she made a good decision).
The day consisted of paddling 15k in ever increasing rain and we had two portages to get the kayaks around locks. Finally, at about 3.30 with arms aching, we arrived at the finish point to see the cars and Sharon waiting.
Get changed, load the cars, drop a canoe from the car roof and head home for well deserved roast dinner.
Many thanks to Trevor for arranging the trip and thanks to Wendy for the glass of red wine and the roast dinner ;D
Eventually, the drivers returned and we were able to get under way. Only 15k to the camp site. The section to the first lock is quite short and as the canoe shoot was closed, we had to carry the canoes across the lock. Back on the water, we had a fantastic paddle in the sun until we came to the next lock. This one had the canoe shoot open, so I had the opportunity to try one for the first time. This proved to be very gentle and there were no mishaps. Great ;D
On to the next lock, which turned out to have a category 2 canoe shoot. Enjoyed that one, so I stopped and took a couple of photos and a video.
Video clip
Onward to lunch and a welcome rest for the unfit among us
Setting off after lunch.
Gordon who is lucky to still have a kayak, after someone untied it during the lunch stop.
On to the next lock, which had a category three canoe shoot. After traveling half way, upside down, I found out the difference between the easy and more difficult canoe shoots. Any way, with a little (lot of) help, i was back in my kayak with a little more experience.
Another paddle to warm up, and we arrived at the final canoe shoot of the day (another category three). Sharon decided to walk this one, but I was already wet and thought that lightning would not strike twice. How wrong I was. I made it down the shoot, but then capsized at the bottom. Much to the amusement of Luc and Roy (and probably the others as well)
This time instead of heading to the bank, Gordon helped me to re-access my kayak on the water (not the first time he has helped me back in).
All back on the water, we had the final paddle to Yalding where we were to camp the night.
The first sight of the camp was not quite as expected. it lacked as many good facilities as the owner lacked social skills. We were also sharing the site with seven scouts from Portsmouth who were doing their D of E. Off to the pub for a good meal and a lemonaid or two
to help me sleep and then it was back to the tent to watch the clock tick by all night zzzzzzz.Sunday eventually arrived along with the expected rain. Tents packed up, breakfast cooked and eaten and watched the site owners dog run off eating my lunch and after a long awaited shuttle, seven of us were underway. Sharon had decided to stay with the shuttle vehicles and have a rest day (I think she made a good decision).
The day consisted of paddling 15k in ever increasing rain and we had two portages to get the kayaks around locks. Finally, at about 3.30 with arms aching, we arrived at the finish point to see the cars and Sharon waiting.
Get changed, load the cars, drop a canoe from the car roof and head home for well deserved roast dinner.
Many thanks to Trevor for arranging the trip and thanks to Wendy for the glass of red wine and the roast dinner ;D