This summer our members have attended – and thoroughly enjoyed – events hosted by the Vale of York Group, on the River Derwent and on the Yorkshire Ouse. The first was a Birthday celebration meet for Percy Linsky, one of the Vale of York’s stalwarts for many years.
For our own activities I must mention a Day Trip on the River Dee and a Canoe-Camping weekend on the River Wye. Numbers attending our meets have increased, it being very nice to see more open Canadians on the water.
With a cool wind and with black clouds threatening, we were very lucky to have pleasant spells while on the Dee. Adam and Lewis, both paddling Ottersports Tourers, were able to lead the way most of the time; Melanie is now more in control of her boat; while the other young member of the party was sharing a two-seater with me. I had expected Phillippa to be virtually a passenger, having heard her complaints of tiredness on a number of short trips. What a lovely surprise for me to find that I was the passenger! I had little to do other than steer – and all the way being entertained by her chatter. We live and learn!
This part of the Dee, from Farndon to Chester, is very pleasant, even if lacking excitement. It is quite a long paddle and I think we all appreciated the lunch break, and were tired at the end.
Even better weather favoured our weekend on the Wye. as was shown by my burnt back and arms! At the last minute I had to search for an alternative campsite far the start, and found one which must be original: it offers electric hookups but no toilets! It has lovely views, is landscaped with well-cut lawns and – above all – has friendly owners who assure me that a toilet block is their next project. We will go again!
Phillippa featured on this trip as well, where in paddling a double with Samantha she managed to hole the boat quite effectively – finishing the first day’s paddle water-logged. An evening’s patching with sticky tape cured the boat, but lessons in correct fastening of waterproof bags are needed! Samantha declared my spare sleeping bag to be warmer and more comfortable than hers – even when in a dry condition. Dan paddled his new plastic tourer and proclaimed it a great improvement on his old Folder.
We were particularly pleased to be joined for part of the trip by Alan and Di from the South East Group. The Wye is an ideal introduction to river paddling.
Dek Davie