This year's AGM is taking place on Saturday 28th January at 7.30 (just after the pool session). Taking place at The Lawns Inn, BS37 5BG. For more info see the website.
It was a damp misty morning as a mix of Open Canadians and kayaks met up at Bradford on Avon with a view to a gentle paddle down to Dundas and back up the canal. We followed the guide and parked at the far end of the car park. There was a nice simple bank to get in under the railway bridge and a gentle flow to carry us along.
If you were looking for a romantic paddle then this probably wasn't the trip to do! Even though we had all seen the weather forecast and secretly hoped someone else would phone to cancel, a dedicated NACC contingent appeared at 9am at Kearne Bridge on the banks of the River Wye this Sunday morning!
Once we got going we all appreciated being out in our boats. The river was flowing quickly and we soon began to cover the miles. The 6 kayakers worked hard to keep up with the 5 canadians including Will's new boat on its maiden voyage!
Even in the rain the Wye didn't disappoint, it's a beautiful river and the first flush of green from swathes of catkins through the grey gloom reminded us that Spring is coming. A diving cormorant made Chris jump out of his skin as it surfaced near his boat and then proceeded to accompany us down the river. Snowdrops were abundant towards the end of our journey and the magical blue flash of a kingfisher finished the trip off perfectly for me. I wonder if he's the same one we see in the summer at Symond's Yat?
With the river flowing so quickly we managed to paddle the 8 miles in about 2 hours. The head winds ensured we all had a good work out and as always the company made it a great trip. It's not often you have the Wye to yourself, maybe the rain had its benefits! Big thanks to Richard whose van became an impromptu changing room.
As for romance - well I guess sharing a bowl of chips in a warm pub after a rewarding paddle with friends and loved ones is kind of special!
Nine O clock one Sunday morning in mid April and the sun was already burning bright, we knew we were in for a scorcher. Esther, Wayne, Richard and Michael from NACC along with two members, Laura and Mike from Bath canoe club joined up for a thoroughly enjoyable paddle from Budleigh Salterton to Sidmouth and back.
We set off down a creek from the car park to the river Otter on the ebbing tide and out to sea over a shingle bank where there was still just enough water to paddle. The sea was as flat and still as it could be as we paddled under the cliffs to towards Sidmouth. The cliffs, whilst not massively high, are dramatic red sandstone which joins up with the Jurassic coast of Dorset.
When I originally planned this trip it was mild, however on the day it was minus 8 when we met down by the lockkeepers inn in Keynsham. As a result of a week of very cold weather it was no surprise to see that the Avon was frozen. A change of plan was needed, upstream was solid with no viable access to the river. When you pushed the paddle down to the ice it just didn't move. Downstream of the lock it was slightly thinner and we were able to find a spot to get in.
The two canoes, two sea kayaks and three kayaks set off downstream. it was an art to try and negotiate the icefloes, but in places the ice went the whole width of the river. If you have ever paddled through ice it is quite a disturbing sound that it makes as the boat breaks through.
It was a pleasant trip down enjoying the sunshine, albeit the water and air was very cold. it was not long before our clothing, boats and paddle shafts were all covered with ice. On arrival at Hanham lock there was a canal boat trying to break through to get to the lock. He moved forward in little spurts as pieces of ice a couple of inch's thick gave way. Eventually he gave up. So for us it was out with the brandy chocolates and coffee before the return trip.
Once back and changed it was into the Lockkeepers for a merry drink. Thanks to all the other 6 that came and joined me.
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