The Canoe-Camper AUTUMN 2018
issue no 313
KIDS DRAWING COMPETITION AT HEREFORD
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T HE C A N O E C A M P I N G CLU B PRESIDENT: Jo Ledger
VICE PRESIDENTS: Dek Davie, Fred Hutt
SECTION COMMITTEE EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE MEMBERS CHAIRMAN, NATIONAL COUNCIL ADVISORY OFFICER Tim Wheeler, 3 Birch Close, Sprotborough, Doncaster, DN5 7RE Tel: 01302 645427 Email: chairman@canoecampingclub.co.uk VICE CHAIRMAN Graham Devenish, 13A Brunswick Place Hove, BN3 1ND Tel: 01273 821155 Email: vice@canoecampingclub.co.uk GENERAL SECRETARY/MEMBERSHIP SECRETARY (SITES OFFICER/WEBMASTER)/CHERTSEY CANOE SHEDS Fran Faulkner, 23 Somerville Road, Eton, Windsor, Berkshire, SL4 6PB Tel: 01753 850122 Email: Secretary@canoecampingclub.co.uk HONORARY TREASURER Brian Hamer, 16 Teal Avenue, Poynton, Stockport, Cheshire,SK12 1JT Tel: 01625 879504 Email: Treasurer@canoecampingclub.co.uk 5TH EXEC MEMBER, ASSISTANT HERTS EA COORDINATOR Martin Gammage, 3 Garden House, Leahoe Gardens, Hertford, SG13 8BX Tel: 07964 995484 Email: exec@canoecampingclub.co.uk
COMMITTEE MEMBERS WATERWAYS OFFICER Kevin East, 7 Silesian Gardens, Chertsey, Surrey, KT16 8SG Tel : 01932 562111 Email: waterways @canoecampingclub.co.uk
THAMES & SOUTH EAST COORDINATOR Robin Hickman, 32 Shepherds Way, Roffey, Horsham, W Sussex, RH12 4LS Tel: 01403 267244 Email: Thames@canoecampingclub.co.uk
EASTER MEET COORDINATOR, DEPUTY NCAO Lester Stuart, 10 Redhills,Eccleshall, Stafford, ST21 6JW Tel: 01785 850826 Email: eastercoordinator@canoecampingclub.co.uk
WEST COUNTRY COORDINATOR Ian Dagger, Pitts End, Wick Road, Bishop Sutton, Bristol, BS39 5XQ Tel: 01275 333211 Email: Westcountry@canoecampingclub.co.uk
MAGAZINE EDITOR Josie Faulkner, 23 Somerville Road, Eton, Windsor, Berksire, SL4 6PB Tel: 07939244318 Email: magazine@canoecampingclub.co.uk
NATIONAL FAMILIES MEET ORGANISER Andrew Roddham, 10 Gracious Street, Whittlesey Peterborough, Cambridgeshire, PE7 1AP Tel: 07771 646591 Email: holidaymeet@canoecampingclub.co.uk
DEE & NW COORDINATOR Anneke Rowlinson, 1 Marshbrook Road, Urmston, Manchester, M41 7DU Tel: 0161 698 5410 Email: deenw2@canoecampingclub.co.uk
CAMPING & CARAVANNING CLUB NATIONAL ADVISER Anne Dearling
HERTS & EAST ANGLIA COORDINATOR Pete Bradshaw, 53 Hillingdon Avenue, Sevenoaks, TN13 3RB Email: HertsEA@canoecampingclub.co.uk
ARCHIVIST Janet Hales, 9 Strode Street, Egham, Surrey, TW20 9PT Tel: 01784 432 517 CANOE-CAMPING CLUB LIBRARY CURRENTLY WITH THAMES & SOUTH EAST
SCOTLAND AND NORTH OF ENGLAND COORDINATOR Jon Hutt, Wyndford Lock, Castlecary, Bonnybridge, North Lanarkshire, FK4 2HW Tel: 01324 849629 Email: northandscotland@canoecampingclub.co.uk
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IN THIS ISSUE 1. KIDS DRAWING COMPETITION AT HEREFORD 2. CONTACTS 4.CHAIRMAN’S THWART & EDITORS LETTER 5. NEWS 6. HOW TO GET WET IN A DRY SUMMER COLIN SOUTHWARD 7. WHAT’S ON? LAST RUNS OF 2018 9. FROM THE ARCHIVES: CHICHESTER HARBOUR THEN AND NOW JANET HALES
12. WHO DARED PADDLE THE WILD SIDE? SUSAN TEMPLETON 13. A COMPLETE DESCENT OF THE WERRA COLIN SOUTHWARD 20. EXPLORE THE GREAT OUTDOORS WITH CAMPING CLUB YOUTH FRAN FAULKNER 21. CLASSIFIEDS 22. KIDS DRAWING COMPETITION AT HEREFORD
Please send all contributions for the Winter 2019 Issue no. 314 to the editor by 28th December 2018. magazine@canoecampingclub.co.uk Email or hard copy acceptable. Please do not edit or convert photos other than by cropping and keep them separate from the text.
The Canoe-Camper Front Cover - Fireworks on the Thames by Josie Faulkner Visit the Canoe Camping Club website at : www.canoecampingclub.co.uk The Canoe Camping Club is a section of the Camping and Caravanning Club (company limited by guarantee) Greenfields House, Westwood Way, Coventry, CV4 8JH T: 0845 130 7631 or 024 7647 5448 *** Printed by: The Printhouse, Hove, BN3 2FB
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C H A I R M A N ‘ S
For most October see the end of their camping season. However, the club continues to run meets through the Autumn and winter, most of which may be attended as day paddles, or the hardy or more luxuriously equipped may continue to camp.
Now is the time to be compiling next years programme. Organising of Easter Meet and Hereford National meets are in hand. What we need now is a full programme of weekend meets, which requires members to volunteer - please don’t wait to be asked. If new to running meets an easy start is to offer to repeat a previous venue, or to request to ‘piggy back’ camping at a local DA meet adjacent, who generally welcome us. Tim Wheeler Chairman
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Once again the year has absolutely flown by! The summer was a very hot and busy one, and unfortunately with a lack of articles, notices and photographs, we were unable to produce an issue at that time. Please accept my apologies, but as ever, we can’t have a Canoe-Camper without your submissions! If you do have anything you would like to include, send them to magazine@ canoecampingclub.co.uk by 28th December.
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THW A R T
At the recent National Council meeting our nominations for Certificates of Honour were approved. Congratulations to Fran Faulkner & Robin Hickman, whose much deserved certificates will be formally presented at The Windsor Fireworks Meet on 3rd November. At our Section Council meeting in April we will consider next years nominations.
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I hope you all have a fanastic autumn season on the water and in the fields, and look forward to seeing many faces and hearing all of the stories in the new year.
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All the best, Josie Faulkner
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NEWS
For the latest news from the Canoe Camping Club head to our website! www.canoecampingclub.co.uk
Canoe-camping Cook of the Year winner 2018 Congratulations to Peter Keeves, who won our Campsite Cook of the Year heat with his Keeves Wallop, at our heat of the competition during our Family Holiday Meet in Hereford Pictured, Peter being presented with his great prize - a CADAC Grillo Chef barbecue. In August 2018, Peter’s recipe was judged by the Eat Local team at HQ, and he was invited to take part in the exciting cook-off final at the Camping and Caravanning Club’s National Feast of Lanterns on Saturday 25th August 2018.
The Canoe-Camper Needs You!
As you know, you receive an issue of The Canoe-Camper quarterly, with the aim to keep you up to date with events in the club. At present, we only receive two or three submissions per quarter, and we really need contributions from members to keep it going. If you have any news, advice, images or tales from your recent canoeing/camping trips, send them to us!
Top Mileage Medal Go Canoeing Week Well, all that collation of trip records was worth it! The Canoe-camping Club won the coveted “Top Club Mileage” medal. Presented to me on behalf of the club, this recognises the staggering 2067 miles paddled by club members during the week beginning 26th May. In addition to the medal, the club has rececived 3 Palm kayak paddles and three Pal buoyancy aids. 5
How To Get Wet In A Dry Summer Colin Southward
Friday afternoon, red hot temperatures, let’s go for a paddle, St. Neots to Godmanchester on the Ouse, a nice easy 10 miles. Off we set; blue skies and just after starting we hear a shout. Some friends of ours have just bought a little cabin cruiser. So a pleasant 20 minutes or so chatting to them. Carry on to the next lock, only half a mile, but we go through with a cruiser as this is quite a big lock it is quite a relief. Then a long stretch to Offord Cluny and the small lock there. As we have to portage this lock, a stranger appears and starts asking about each lock on the river and where it is best to canoe. He had just bought an inflatable kayak and needed some advice, so another 20 minutes with general chit chat. Another quarter of a mile and there is a nice marina with a good cafe, so we opted to stop here and have a sandwich and a drink. After 30 minutes the food had not appeared so I went to counter and sure enough, they had forgot to put the order through but after 20 minutes a very good sandwich appeared on our table. On to the last stretch. After two kilometres there is a small side stream which we take to avoid the next lock and usually there is quite a bit of current. A bit over grown at this time of year, but a nice change from the main river and a little bit more interesting. However, a thunderstorm had started and we could see it approaching, but less than half a kilometre away we could see the large railway arches of the Great North Eastern railway line where we could shelter. We did not make it; the torrential downpour that hit us was rather severe. Fortunately, being experienced canoeists, we did not take our waterproofs. We got wet, very wet. Every little stop or delay we had had conspired against us and we arrived in Godmanchester just over an hour when we should have done and we could have been dry. 6
WHAT’S ON? LAST RUNS OF 2018 LANCASTER CANAL Lancaster / Dee & North West
Sun 21st October 2018
A day paddle on the Lancaster Canal from Aldcliffe Road on the South side of Lancaster. Paddle about 4 miles through fields and some woods in autumn colours down to the cafe at Galgate for a lunch stop, either bring your own or treat yourself at the cafe. And then back the 4 miles to your car.
BOURNE END Thames & SE
Sun 21st October 2018 A day paddle from Bourne End to Hurley and back. Thames licence or British Canoeing card required. A total of about 10 miles, taking us through Marlow with 2 locks in each direction. The usual river traffic to watch out for. Bring a picnic.
RIVER THAMES FIREWORKS Windsor / Thames & SE
BASINGSTOKE CANAL Church Cookham / Thames & SE
River Thames Fireworks weekend. Day paddles on the Saturday and Sunday could include the Slough Arm of the Grand Union Canal, The Jubilee River, or an out-and-back on the Thames. Saturday evening is the Royal Windsor Racecourse fireworks – we will paddle up river and enjoy the spectacle from our riverine seats. Some indoor accommodation is available in Windsor Sea Cadet Unit – camp bed/roll mat and sleeping bag required, with ample overnight parking from campervans. A campsite a couple of miles away at Queens Acre is available for caravans.
A day paddle from Church Crookham. A very sheltered canal. We usually go up to Odiham castle for our picnic lunch stop, checking out the Greywell bat tunnel entrance which is the limit of this navigation. The canal water is very clear up here. Total 10 miles, out and back. Licence or British Canoeing card required.
Fri 2nd -Sun 4th Nov 2018
Sun 18th November 2018
RIVER OUSE St. Neots / Herts & East Anglia Group
Mon 3rd December 2018
Info TBC
RIVER DOUGLAS Rufford / Dee & North West
Sun 25th November 2018 A day paddle on the river Douglas and Leeds Liverpool Canal Rufford Branch, no car shuttle. Get on the river Douglas by Rufford Railway Station (L40 1TB) and paddle down some 6 miles with the outgoing tide through Lancashire farmland to Tarleton where we stop for a lunch break between the river and the Leeds Liverpool Canal. After lunch we get on the canal near the lock which connects the canal to the river and paddle the 5 miles down back to our cars.
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RIVER WEY Guildford / Thames & SE
Sun 9th December 2018 A day paddle out-and-back from Wey Kayak Club in Guildford. We have a choice. A paddle of about 7 miles total through Guildford and back, returning on a section or the old river course. In the other direction is a pleasant 8 mile total trip. We can agree which on the day. Both required a portage or two. Bring lunch. Licence or British Canoeing card required.
BRIDGEWATER CANAL Little Bollington / Dee & North West
Sun 16th December 2018
Christmas paddle on the Bridgewater Canal from Ye Old No.3 pub at Little Bollington (WA14 4TA) to Lymm and back, 6 miles in total. This is our day paddle with a Christmas theme: decorations on boats and paddlers welcome and don’t forget your mince pies or other treats for our lunch break at the park in Lymm. The canal was built in the 18th century to transport coal from the Duke of Bridgewater’s mines in Worsley to the industrial area of Manchester and was the start of the canal network used for industrial transport. We paddle past a canal side hoist which is a relic from this history and Lymm is a pretty village with some old cottages. THE CANOE-CAMPING CLUB - The club for canoeists who camp and campers who canoe We are an active Section of The Camping and Caravanning Club, Greenfields House, Westwood Way, Coventry, CV4 8JH FOR MEMBERSHIP ENQUIRIES PLEASE CONTACT THE SECRETARY Fran Faulkner - secretary@canoecampingclub.co.uk The Canoe-Camping Club organises local day trips and weekend meets throughout the year, as well as longer holiday meets. You’ll find outline details of the events for the year here. Some events such as the Easter Meet and the annual Families’ Holiday Meet are attended by members from all over the country. Members are welcomed on all meets. (Some of the more advanced trips may be restricted to experienced paddlers). Camping and Caravanning Club membership cards must be shown at all meets. Canoe-camping Club members should keep the Secretary informed whether they are current members of British Canoeing, Canoe Wales, The Scottish Canoe Association or the Canoe Association of Northern Ireland. The Canoe-Camping Club is a national club for touring canoeists (and kayakers) and for those who like to combine canoeing/kayaking and camping. The Club caters for everyone, with a variety of meets round the country. Some are ideal for beginners whilst others challenge the more experienced paddler. Members are always glad to offer help and friendly advice to newcomers. All ages are welcome, and in particular the Club likes to encourage families Unless otherwise stated, inland trips are planned on relatively easy water. Conditions on coastal trips are less predictable. Distances depend on conditions and participants: organisers will advise, and also reserve the right to decide whether individuals may participate. It is often possible to organise shorter and easier trips for the less experienced.
DEE & NORTH WEST COORDINATOR Brian Hamer, 16 Teal Avenue, Poynton, Stockport, Cheshire, SK12 1JT Tel: 01625 879504 Email: DeeNW@canoecampingclub.co.uk
SCOTLAND AND NORTH OF ENGLAND COORDINATOR Jon Hutt, Wyndford Lock, Castlecary, Bonnybridge, North Lanarkshire, FK4 2HW Tel: 01324 849629 Email: northandscotland@canoecampingclub.co.uk
DEE & NW COORDINATOR Anneke Rowlinson, 1 Marshbrook Road, Urmston, Manchester, M41 7DU Tel: 0161 698 5410 Email: deenw2@canoecampingclub.co.uk
THAMES & SOUTH EAST COORDINATOR Robin Hickman, 32 Shepherds Way, Roffey, Horsham, W Sussex, RH12 4LS Tel: 01403 267244 Email: Thames@canoecampingclub.co.uk
HERTS & EAST ANGLIA COORDINATOR Pete Bradshaw, 53 Hillingdon Avenue, Sevenoaks, TN13 3RB Email: HertsEA@canoecampingclub.co.uk
WEST COUNTRY COORDINATOR Ian Dagger, Pitts End, Wick Road, Bishop Sutton, Bristol, BS39 5XQ Tel: 01275 333211 Email: Westcountry@canoecampingclub.co.uk 8
FROM THE ARCHIVES
Chichester Harbour Then and Now Janet Hales
Thames and South East Group have just enjoyed the annual meet at Cobnor, near Chidham. This is a unique venue: a lovely, unspoilt spot, group camping only, which we share with the Boating Group of the Camping and Caravanning Club, and with excellent launching facilities into the central point of Chichester Harbour. Our weekend at Cobnor this year (1617 June) was very windy. There is a dramatic difference between calm and windy conditions on these estuary waters, so organisers have to be prepared and anticipate the conditions. Fifty years ago, Chichester Harbour was a regular venue for training sessions for the Club’s crossing of the English Channel. This was an annual event during the late 1960s and early 1970s, until changes in leadership availability, the number of interested paddlers willing to commit to the training programme, French laws on small boats, availability of suitable escort vessels and many other reasons saw it drop out of the Club’s fixture list. In “Canoe-Camper” no. 118 (Summer 1968), we read the experiences of Les Powell from Hereford who had done no sea canoeing, but at the age of 62 was keen to try the Channel Crossing. He describes his first saltwater trip – in June 1967, in Chichester Harbour – in very windy conditions. 9
Les says: “Starting off from Itchenor was not bad, but towards the channel opening [i.e. the harbour entrance] it became rough. I think I was doing everything wrong until I realised that nearly everything had to be done the opposite way to river work [he was a whitewater paddler and used to the Wye]. From then on things got better. I kept close to Denis at East Head, and while I was making hard work of paddling and keeping upright, Denis would often turn his head round to see that everyone was happy. I could not even look sideways, or I should have been over.” This year on the Saturday, Thames and South East Group did our regular trip, from Cobnor, which is opposite Itchenor, via Bosham, to Dell Quay and back. Two of the group (experienced sea kayakers who know the Harbour well) decided on a trip towards the harbour entrance, paddling against wind and tide, in order to go round Pilsey Sands and take the
flood tide to Emsworth, and they had quite a rough ride, with very windy conditions in the exposed area opposite the harbour entrance. Back to 1967: Les continues: “Next day, as we went round Hayling Island and a fearful storm came up from behind, I had the most frightening time of my life. Twice I was thrown right over on my side, but putting all my strength into the paddle I managed to right myself without baling out. From somewhere to starboard I heard a voice, and when carried up on a wave I saw a canoeist, I don’t know whom, and above the roar of the wind and through the spray I heard him shout, ‘carry on!’ I wondered what that meant, but I was battling to stay upright and to keep head on for the bridge which I could not see, but hoped was not far away. At last I made it, and with the advice of another canoeist who came up behind me I managed to pass under the bridge without knocking it down. When I was
able to breathe again I asked where the others were and was told that one had capsized, but on to a sandbank in shallow water where, between waves, he was able to bale out.” [this paddle was probably from the Wittering beach, via the harbour entrance, up the Emsworth Channel and then turn left to Langstone Bridge; the shallow sandbank would be Pilsey Sands, opposite the harbour entrance – elsewhere it’s mud]. Les describes the return trip: “Our voyage back to East Wittering was pleasant in a heavy swell, except that I did not know the technique of landing in these conditions. I just hoped for the best. The best was pretty wet, because I “looped” [this was presumably in surf, on a beach landing. It’s not clear whether they went all the way round Hayling Island, via Langstone Harbour and then along the Hayling shore, or whether they retraced their route via the Emsworth Channel. It is indeed possible to circumnavigate Hayling Island, 10
FROM THE ARCHIVES working the tides, and it can be done clockwise or anti-clockwise]. The Cobnor – Bosham – Dell Quay – Cobnor trip is planned to work the tides, with the flood tide running fast past Itchenor up to Dell Quay, and after lunch the ebb tide running fast back again, giving us assistance in both directions. This is usually a relaxing trip, with time to go up to Fishbourne (the top of the easternmost arm of the harbour) to explore the reed beds before returning to Dell Quay for lunch (and often a sunbathe) and then a fast run back to Cobnor. This year, however, with a very fresh south westerly breeze, we knew to expect both wind and tide with us to Dell Quay, but on the way back, the wind in our faces and the water much rougher, as the wind also kicks up waves and white horses (wind over tide). Given these conditions, the trip was planned with several opt-out points. First we headed up to Bosham with wind and tide, but some shelter from the Cobnor shore. After a rest at Bosham we returned down channel, finding out just how hard it would be against both wind and tide. We stayed over the shallows rather than using the deep channel where the tide runs fastest, and at each starboard hand navigation marker we paused to allow the eight kayaks (one double) to regroup, and see if anyone wanted to opt out of the Dell Quay trip by returning to Cobnor. All continued, so we rounded the point opposite Cobnor and turned up channel, now with both tide and wind behind us. This made for awkward and tiring paddling conditions for some kayaks, especially those with no skeg or rudder, as the wind was on our starboard quarter and trying to turn the kayak to the right all the time. There is a shingle spit at the next bend in the channel and we knew we could tuck in behind that to take a breather and land on the tiny beach to stretch our legs (private land above HWM). Continuing, we kept close inshore for a bit of shelter and eventually landed at Dell Quay for a rather late lunch. Hoping the wind might moderate, we went for a short walk. The opt-out option here would have been to phone those at the campsite who had decided not to paddle today, and beg a lift, but all chose to continue. The wind 11
was at least as strong when we set off again, and was now against us, making for a very tiring paddle back down the harbour. Although the tide was with us, the steep waves meant we hardly felt the benefit. Keeping close inshore we took advantage of every little point which could give some shelter, for a brief rest, again making sure that the paddlers suffering various shoulder etc problems, also had a rest when they caught up. At last the channel turned west past Itchenor, and the conditions were very much easier as the wind was blowing across the channel and no longer kicking up the waves. The final ferry glide across to Cobnor was straightforward. We had a very sociable evening despite the continuing wind which was quite chilly. The next day was just as windy – nobody paddled, two cycled, and several of us chose a coastal walk from the campsite to our other favourite landfall – Prinsted, where the Sea Scouts run an excellent tea/ coffee/cake facility. Les Powell concluded his account by paying tribute to the leadership and organisation of Denis Fastnedge, thanking him for making it possible for him to complete the September 1967 Channel Crossing, achieved by a party of nine, including Kevin East. Denis’s summary of the 1967 training programme (Canoe-Camper 116) includes this account of the same weekend: “The hard core of nine candidates started their individual training with a view to working up to the first collective training weekend on the 24th/25th June. All nine, in three single and three double canoes, turned up and we set about a shakedown paddle in Chichester Harbour…. A healthy ‘popple’ on the water across the bar at Chichester Harbour entrance found out one or two weaknesses and was an invaluable pointer towards modifications needed to some spray covers, seat and back rest positions, rudders and so on.” Although Les found it quite hairy, I am sure that Denis was fully in control of the weekend’s paddling – he laid emphasis on safety at all times. So does this Club still, and I hope that’s one reason why we all enjoy paddling together.
WHO DARED PADDLE THE WILD SIDE? Or 100 PADDLERS GO WILD WORDS & PHOTOS BY SUSAN TEMPLETON
The SBS series of nine nationally ranked wild water racing (WWR) events across various rivers in Hampshire and Dorset finished in early June 2018 with its last race of the WWR season at the River Hamble Country Park. The main aims of the series are: •To provide local paddlers with the opportunity to learn racing skills and compete locally with national rankings in a competitive but fun and friendly atmosphere. •Habitualise basic risk assessment and safety behaviour so in the event of tackling more dangerous water or faced with an emergency paddlers can react safely, swiftly and confidently. Whilst the South cannot boast the wildest rivers in Britain, each of the race venues gives the racers differing challenges, from the narrow twisty overgrown upper parts of the River Hamble and at Winchester on the River Itchen to the wider and sometimes extremely rough lower reaches of the River Hamble, where wind and tide can give up to two foot plus waves at all angles. Included in this year for the first time was, by kind permission of Lord Montagu, a race on the River Beaulieu stating from historic Bucklers Hard up to the Palace and back, this race attracted over 40 paddlers and resulted in a donation to a charity of Lord Montagu’s choice of £100, for which he sent a personal thank you letter. Wild Water Racing as a whole is currently a small discipline, compared to say Slalom and Marathon canoe racing, despite that the
statistics for the series were encouraging: •Age range: 9 to 79 showing the appeal for all ages and abilities. •Over 100 different paddlers from 14 different clubs participated with a third of paddlers doing one or more races. •11 different Officers from varying organisations, including the Harbour Masters on the River Hamble and Beaulieu River, supported the series by free use of their facilities. •6 local Canoe Clubs including the Hamble Sea Scouts either organised or were co-organisers in running the events. •Many paddlers starting their competitive career with the series have gone on to race events such as the Stour Descent a 15 mile race with weirs, local marathons and slaloms. Plus the organiser Susan Templeton’s favourite quote from ten year old Oliver Law of Winchester and District Canoe Club. At a prerace safety briefing, in response to the question “Why should paddlers never race past another paddler who may be in difficulty?” expecting a reply such as “So they won’t drown”. Oliver’s hand shot up and replied “Because it is the Law”. Factually correct, it is a canoe law not to leave anyone in distress, if you can safely help, so Susan said “I hope Oliver is at the same races as me as I know he will have my back for fear of arrest!!!” 12
A Complete Descent Of The Werra Colin Southward 13
This summer we thought we would paddle the Werra in Thuringia from its start point in Themar. We already had the DKV guide from several years ago and Sue found a guide to distances and weirs on the internet. Using Google translate. We now had a rough idea of where the portages were an a guide to which side of the river to get out on to by-pass he numerous small mills. In addition everywhere we came across a weir, there were signs showing us where to get out and point us in the right direction 14
Themar This is the start to the Werra, but this year the water was very low, at least a foot down on where it should be. Looking very carefully at the get in, we decided not to paddle and spent a couple of hours driving down the river. There were two canoe hire places, but they were shut due to the lack of water. In the end we decided, having come this far, we would paddle the river anyway, but without the luggage to start with until the water reached a suitable depth. The next five hours, 6 portages and 22km proved a bit of a challenge. At times we had to pull the canoe through shallow water, to go under fallen trees, or bash through the thinner branches. At one point a tree was just that bit too large, but we managed to stand on the tree trunk and haul the canoe over the top of it before carrying on. We finished the day getting out at the wrong point and had to wheel the canoe down a main road for 100 metres to Meiningen canoe club We went to the club house expecting to ring up the local secretary to see about camping, but there was a group of people in the club house and a member came out to talk to us, he even took Sue to the nearest railway station to go back for the car. On top of that he gave us the key to the clubhouse with use of the facilities and we stayed here for two nights, though it was long walk into the town until Sue retrieved the car. Meiningen We decided to run the canoe empty 15
again on the following day and aim for Breitungen. This turned out to be similar to the day before, not much water, some exciting little runs, closed canoe hire places and lots of obstructions. We came to one weir and inspected the portage, just in time for the local farmer to fell a tree across our path. We then had to lift the canoe onto and over the weir, but fortunately there was not water going over it and it became very straight forward. One had to be very resourceful. Along the way there was a prodigious amount of bird life, particularly wagtails and kingfishers. I do not think we had seen so many before. Today we did about 30 km but only two weirs, but approaching the weirs meant there was a lack of current and some very still water to paddle through. The weather was very hot, about 35 c. The water was getting deeper now and we decided to start the canoe camping the day after. Sue still had to work hard to find a railway station back to the car. While waiting for Sue lots of local
“The next paddle took us to Tiefenort, a relatively short paddle, but very hot and only two weirs.�
people came up and chatted about the river. Not speaking any German, unlike Sue, I still managed to communicate and even the local alcoholics came up and talked to me.
Breitungen Leaving the canoe club in Meiningen, we loaded the car with all our camping gear and returned to Breitungen and loaded everything into the canoe, leaving the car near the local railway station. Lots of local people came up and chatted to us as we loaded to set off and were impressed we had managed to come down the river, they also gave us lots of information about the local area and sights to see. Every little village town centre was a picture post card of old buildings and cobbled streets. Again the weather was very hot and we started to see some enormous white mountains. These were spoil heaps from the local potash mines which are in the area. We did
manage nearly 45 km and eight weirs, though one we managed to line the canoe down a slipway for canoes. Strange there was only the one on the entire trip. We were getting more help from the current and several small streams joined in. Bird life changed and as the river became wider, Kingfishers disappeared and herons were the main birdlife, with eagles above the fields. We even saw some storks in one field. Sometimes after rounding a weir, there would be 100mtrs or so of very shallow water until the mill race joined back in to give us a helping hand. Tiefenort The next paddle took us to Tiefenort, a relatively short paddle, but very hot and only two weirs. The river was settling down now and not much to see, but very slow as we approached the next weir. The last portage was very long as after the weir there was not much water in the river, most of it going through the old mill. A lot of these are set up to be small hydro-electric stations. This was our longest portage, nearly 200 metres. However we came to an outdoor water pool and picnic area, admission by money only. Just outside the gate there were three RV vans and we were allowed to camp next to these. We even used the showers, but we had to pay for these. The cold shower in the gents was free, Sue had to pay for hers and had less than a minute of luke warm water. One of the RV owners gave us some water as the pool shut dead on seven and we were not allowed to get in for water. The village centre was only a kilometre away, so we went in search of a cold drink. The people here were very friendly and could not believe we had paddled down the river. In the morning there were steps down to the river, but it was shallow until we reached the water from the mill. Every day a new challenge.
Heringen
We were very tired when we arrived at Heringen, a funny little portage out of the river, across a small footbridge and into an area of small allotments. A woman in one of these kindly gave us some water, as there was none available and showed us a space where we could camp. We went to the pub and see the village but on our return a gentleman turned up and said it was his piece of land. We apologised 16
The river was now getting much wider and deeper, but still not much current.
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and offered to move, but he said no and showed us into his little sanctum where he fed the local ducks. He even let us help ourselves to his apples and plums. Leaving Heringen very early, we continued down the river, now getting wider all the time with a little more current. The before river continues to head north and then turns east to Horschel before turning north again. Not much to see now unless we stopped at some of the small towns or villages for a hot drink or bite to eat. Lots more spoil heaps with
“Paddling here had become very sticky. It was obvious the water sports centre we were going to stay at had not been used for some time, so we went to a bar in the village and then paddled another three km� occasionally some pollutants leaking into the river leaving a thin film of scum on the water. This upsets the local fisher men and certainly did not smell right at times. Horschel We camped at the local canoe club here. After ringing the phone number a member of the canoe club came and opened up the facilities for us. There is a bar in the village, but no shops. We have stayed here before when we last started our canoe from here to go further down the river. The river Hersel joins in here and by now there was a steady current on the river, but we still had to paddle to keep moving. The weirs were now larger and slightly longer to portage round. The first one at Spichra took us about 25 minutes and another one in Creuzburg. We thought our destination would be a water sports centre at Mihla. We were told the weir here was not working and as we approached the town we say that the river was about two or three metres down on its usual
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level. In fact the weir was totally out of order and we almost had to climb up a very muddy river bank to reach the road. Paddling here had become very sticky. It was obvious the water sports centre we were going to stay at had not been used for some time, so we went to a bar in the village and then paddled another three km to a small “Nature Campsite� in Ebenhausen. A lovely campsite, with toilets, a wash basin and water, but nothing else. Delightful. Very few people on it, and very quiet. As it got dark some static caravans started to light up as their solar powered little lights come on. This seems to be very common in Germany on static caravans.
Ebenhausen An easy get in here and off to Wanfried stopping in Treffurt first for a break. This is another town with a very pretty old town centre. The most amazing thing we saw was two nursery nurses pushing a basic trolley with some very young babies in and about six two year olds clutching the sides of the trolley walking along for a bit of exercise. Some of the children could hardly walk. Wanfried was a long portage to avoid the overflow channel, and it was very hot with a very rocky get in with fast moving water. We had still not seen any other canoes on the river but the river was moving us along albeit at a slow pace. Alongside the river runs a cycle path which follows the river to Bremen and this was certainly well used and the cyclists often shouted hello and gave us words of encouragement. This was a short run to the canoe club at Eschwege where we again rang up someone from the canoe club and they came and opened up some of the facilities here for us. We were the only people on the campsite so we walked into the town for a meal. We alternated between cooking on the campsite to having a meal out. Here we talked to two of the cyclists. They were appalled that in the UK we cycled along with the traffic. They were planning a route back to Hamburg without using a road.
Eschwege Starting off again, we paddled into the middle of the town. There is a weir and a lock which was out of use. A very short portage but now some of the portages were provided with a giant trolley onto which we could put the canoe with all the gear in it and then launch the canoe back into the river. Rounding most weirs we would lose the current for a hundred metres until the mill stream came back in and this one was no exception. Looking on Google earth one 19
can see that on either side of the river there had been large gravel pit extractions now with large lakes and associated water activities, though we seldom saw these, but it was good to be on our own. The next stop was Bad SoodenAllendorf. Here there was evidence of other river users with small boats and canoes in some back gardens. Another lock, out of use, but a large trolley to put the canoe and all our gear on go round the lock. The last time we did this part of the river water levels had been nearly a metre higher and less problems. Just after this we saw our first other canoeist in a sea kayak with the words Witzenhausen KV on it. This was our destination for the day and in fact we met the paddler on the campsite when we arrived. We now went round some rather large meanders until we arrived at Witzenhausen. We stayed at the canoe club here, but it was a long walk into the town, but worth it. We had use of the facilities and probably the best shower of the week so far. There was a sort of hippy market going on with various food stalls and music going on which added to our evening.
Witzenhausen The river was now getting much wider and deeper, but still not much current. Herons were in the ascendancy now and we had a pit stop at the Gasthaus Spiegelburg. There was a campsite here but our journey was now almost over as aimed for Hann Munden. Another portage, again with a large trolley but evidence there had been a small railway track to push a trolley along. Arriving at Hann Munden, this is where the Werra finishes and now is called the Weser as the river Fulda enters from the left. Making sure to take the bit of the river on the right, we carried round the weir, again with a trolley, another two hundred metres and a steep uphill portage to a commercial campsite. We had thought of canoeing up the river for a kilometre to the canoe club, but it would have been a long walk back into the town.
Hann Munden So Hann Minden and we had made a completed descent of the Werra. We think we had paddled 250 km and had rounded 30 weirs of varying size and challenges Some of the journey was quite hard, but certainly interesting and different to what we normally do. If you ever want to try this trip, we have all the maps and details we can pass on to you.
EXPLORE THE GREAT OUTDOORS WITH CAMPING CLUB YOUTH “Designed for 12-17 year olds, Camping Club Youth (also called CCY or Youth) is The Camping and Caravanning Club’s group for young people. Through CCY, young people learn to build their confidence and develop important skills for adult life. Become proficient in activities like planning trips and projects, taking responsibility, looking out for others, cooking and first aid. Enjoy experiences that will help them develop into well-rounded individuals.” . . . “Top 5 Reasons to Join •Have fun - compete in team games, challenges and outdoor activities •Freedom - your tent, your friends, your cooking •Friends - meet loads of new people, who like the same things as you •Adventure - camp abroad at our international events •Independence - pick up life skills that will help you on the way to adult life” . . . the Camping and Caravanning Club website Canoe-camping Club Youth (C-CCY) is our section’s take on CCY. Youth members are members of the club in their own right, and membership is free until they reach their 18th birthday. You might ask “What’s the advantage of that?” Youth members who camp with the section have the opportunity to learn some camp-craft skills and there is a test of their proficiency. If they pass that test, then free membership extends until the age of 21, with half price membership until their 30th birthday. Youngsters who have passed the test are also able to camp at Camping and Caravanning Club sites without parents present from the age of 14. The Test covers all essential camping skills as well as general skills, such as first aid and map reading. •Kit Packing •Stoves and Fires •Map Reading •First Aid •The Code for Campers •Cooking •Choice of pitch •Putting a tent up CCY also runs the Duke of Edinburgh award scheme, so if you are interested in doing that, this is one way of achieving it. In 2019, we’ll be offering Youth Test training and assessment at the Hereford Families’ meet. C-CCY is also great fun – and members have gained friends for life from their time in the Youth section. To join Camping Club Youth, visit https://www.campingandcaravanningclub.co.uk/membership/yourclub/local-groups/camping-club-youth/ and download an application form – make sure you tick the box for Canoe Camping Club. Existing CCY members – it would be useful to have your email address so that we can keep in contact more easily. Just drop an email to youth@canoecampingclub.co.uk with your name and membership number. 20
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Seen a thing? Been on a trip? Have you got any access information, safety tips, extra runs, something for sale, information about the club, photographs, or even any tidbits? Send them to magazine@canoecampingclub.co.uk by 28th december 2018. We can’t have a newsletter without your contributions! Did you know that Canoe-Camper is now online? The magazine is exclusively on issuu.com and is downloadable on android and apple products. You can now follow us on twitter to keep up to date with all things Canoe Camping Club! Just type in @canoecampermag and click follow! Join us now on Facebook for an exclusive digital colour copy. www.facebook.com/groups/162317170629300/ 21
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