The Canoe-Camper Spring 2018 #312 by Canoe Camper Magazine

The Canoe-Camper Spring 2018

issue no 312

CANOE CAMPING ON THE MONMOUTHSHIRE & BRECON CANAL SHAUN MAHONEY

T H E 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, NATIONAL COUNCIL REPRESENTATIVE 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 EASTER MEET COORDINATOR Lester Stuart, 10 Redhills,Eccleshall, Stafford, ST21 6JW Tel: 01785 850826 Email: eastercoordinator@canoecampingclub.co.uk MAGAZINE EDITOR Josie Faulkner, 23 Somerville Road, Eton, Windsor, Berksire, SL4 6PB Tel: 07939244318 Email: magazine@canoecampingclub.co.uk DEE & NORTH WEST COORDINATOR Brian Hamer, 16 Teal Avenue, Poynton, Stockport, Cheshire, SK12 1JT Tel: 01625 879504 Email: DeeNW@canoecampingclub.co.uk ASSISTANT DEE & NW COORDINATOR Anneke Rowlinson, 1 Marshbrook Road, Urmston, Manchester, M41 7DU Tel: 0161 698 5410 Email: deenw2@canoecampingclub.co.uk HERTS & EAST ANGLIA COORDINATOR Pete Bradshaw, 53 Hillingdon Avenue, Sevenoaks, TN13 3RB Email: HertsEA@canoecampingclub.co.uk MIDLANDS COORDINATOR Simon Beeston 11 Elston Hall Lane, Bushbury, Wolverhampton, WV10 9HE Tel: 01902 653430 Email: Midlands@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 THAMES & SOUTH EAST COORDINATOR Robin Hickman, 32 Shepherds Way, Roffey, Horsham, W Sussex, RH12 4LS Tel: 01403 267244 Email: Thames@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 ASSISTANT HOLIDAY MEET COORDINATOR Andrew Roddham, 10 Gracious Street, Whittlesey Peterborough, Cambridgeshire, PE7 1AP Tel: 07771 646591 Email: holidaymeet2@canoecampingclub.co.uk CAMPING & CARAVANNING CLUB NATIONAL ADVISER Anne Dearling ARCHIVIST Janet Hales, 9 Strode Street, Egham, Surrey, TW20 9PT Tel: 01784 432 517 CANOE-CAMPING CLUB LIBRARY CURRENTLY WITH THAMES & SOUTH EAST

IN THIS ISSUE 1. CANOE CAMPING ON MONMONMOUTHSHIRE & BRECON CANAL SHAUN MAHONEY

17. NATIONAL FAMILIES MEET AT HEREFORD 2018 BOOKING FORM

2. CONTACTS

21. RUNNING A DAY TRIP COLIN SOUTHWARD

4.CHAIRMANâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;S THWART & EDITORS LETTER

23. RUNS LIST 2018

5. EASTER MEET 2018 ROUND UP

25. GROUNDHOG DAY SUSAN TEMPLETON

15. PADDLING ON NEW YEARS DAY COLIN SOUTHWARD

27. EAT LOCAL COMPETITION 28. AGM 2018 NOTICE

16. NATIONAL FAMILIES MEET AT HEREFORD 2018

29. CLASSIFIEDS

Please send all contributions for the Summer 2018 issue no. 313 to the editor by 20th June 2018. 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 - Easter Meet 2018 by Shaun Mahoney 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

THWART

C H A I R M A N ‘ S

Hi,

For most of us Easter marks the start of the camping season and it was great that the Easter meet was fully booked this year. Hopefully this is indicative of having put behind us last years difficulties with renewed activity by members booking to attend meets. For new members, especially those with young children the Summer half term holiday meet at Hereford is particularly suitable, as we have volunteer qualified coaches at the meet to offer training to help you to get the maximum enjoyment from canoeing. At the time of writing this there were still places available, but don’t wait as capacity is limited. Except where indicated otherwise, meets are suitable for all abilities and all types of canoe/kayak. However, if you have any specific questions the organiser and/or regional coordinator will be happy to advise. All meets are organised by volunteers and it makes their life easier and more enjoyable if meets are well attended with members reserving space well in advance. If we are to continue as a club we need you, the members, to support the events, so please check your diary and book to attend as many as you can. Sadly, despite large numbers indicating support for the club continuing, for many regions there has been a lack of follow up offers to help with running events, resulting in rather thin programmes in some areas. I therefore repeat my appeal for more members to volunteer to help with running events. Please also try to attend the Section AGM at Hereford on Saturday 26 May as we cannot have a repeat of last year where we failed to attain a quorum and we risk default whereupon the club would cease. Some hardy members have continued paddling & camping throughout winter, but for most, including myself, Easter weekend will be our first outing. I look forward to meeting many of you at a club meet during the year. Happy Paddling, Tim Wheeler

LETTER

S ‘ R O T I D E

Hello!

As I’m writing this it is the middle of April and I’m sunburnt. My mother (Fran) who is now a lady of leisure, has been out on the water pretty much every single day this week. In these pages you will find a huge round up of the Easter Meet on the Monmouthshire and Brecon Canal, kindly organised by the Davies family and Lester Stuart. You all look like you had a fab time despite the snow! I must apologise once again for the lateness of this issue. My new job has been absolutely hectic and time seems to have run away. I promise to get the summer issue out on time, and I still won’t be able to get on the water because of music festivals. But I’m hoping to sneak down to Hereford for the day and see all your lovely faces for the AGM. All the best, Josie Faulkner 4

EASTER MEET

2018 Weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ve had numerous submissions from this years Easter Meet on the Monmouthshire and Brecon Canal. Kindly put together by Helen Davies and Lester Stuart, each tale is a joyful read and it seems that the same campers were out in the middle of the night fixing their tents under 3 inches of snow! Happy reading! Words Terry Carr, Janet Hales, Pete Wood, Colin Southward & Shaun Mahoney Photos Shaun Mahony, Antony Davies, Bob Faulkner, Geoff Forrester & Fran Faulkner

QUIET MORNINGS

THE SURVIVAL OF THE FITTEST MADDEST or APRIL FOOLS’ CRUISE

Terry Carr

Janet Hales

It was that quiet time, the dawn light was just making the snow capped hills visible as I began my preparations for the days paddling. The birds were singing accompanied by the bass drone of the snores of my fellow campers. The ice on the tent crackled as I packed up, hot coffee warmed my hands, the suns rays spread slowly warming the field. As I pushed my canoe towards the canal, people were stirring getting themselves ready for the day. I launched then paddled off onto the still waters of the canal, I had the water to my self for the next two hours, no boaters, no dog walkers on the towpath. Only the dip dip dip of the paddle into the water for company.

Thursday evening – arriving at Talybont, it was good to pitch our tents in the dry, as it had clearly been very wet in recent days. And there was a lovely warm loo block. Friday – a good paddle to Brecon and back, portaging Brynich lock. Dry except for a shower in the afternoon. No wind, HOORAY! But rain set in and it poured all evening, into the early part of the night. We enjoyed a fantastic social, in the spacious village hall, with an excellent meal and entertaining quizzes and brantub raffle – thank you Lester!! Not forgetting the presentation of the Holding Paddle to Colin for his article on their (Southwards’) enterprising Danube trip. Saturday - Rain cleared in the early hours and the temperature dropped so there

was a touch of frost in the morning, which was bright and sunny for an hour or so then clouded over with more rain for the car ferry down to Panteg House. By the time we returned by comfortable small coach to Talybont, the rain stopped and my tent was dry to take down. A good paddle, portaging the locks: trolleys were essential. Although we had permission to use the locks, the Canal and River Trust volunteers did not seem to know this and did not want us to share with hire boats, nor did the hire boaters want to share (even going downhill when there is no turbulence in the locks) but this was probably their first lock for some of the hire boaters, who most likely had no previous canal experience, so it was understandable. If we had been a large group filling the lock just with our canoes, we would certainly have held out for our right to use the lock. Lunch by the Llangynidr Locks Welcome Centre at the lock, C&RT loos available here. It still seemed a long way to bridge 112 for the next campsite. I reckoned it was about an hour’s paddle to pass ten bridges, on average. But there was no wind… HOORAY! At Llangattock we had the choice of camping in the field by the canal, with quite a trek down to the campsite facilities (lovely warm loo block again), or taking kit down to

the campsite – the farmer kindly came up with a trailer to move kit. I camped in the field again as on previous Easter meets, recognising the big oak tree by the canal bridge which makes a lovely picture. We were sharing with a Land Rover enthusiasts’ meet. The first time I attended an Easter Meet on this canal, we stopped at the same bridge, but camped in the field on the other side of the canal - in those days our organisers carried loo tents and dug holes. Sunday 1 April – after another cold night with a touch of frost in the morning, we woke to bright sunshine before it clouded over again. This was another day’s very pleasant paddle. As the Usk valley opened out on our left, we had good views across to the Sugar Loaf and other tops with a sprinkling of snow, especially at this time of year when the trees are leafless. The canal is good for scenery all the way as it is a contour canal clinging to the side of the foothills of the Brecon Beacons, which also means it is very winding, no long straight boring bits. Wild flowers included primroses, golden saxifrage, wood anemones, kingcups and wild daffodils, a bit more special than the usual coltsfoot and celandine which you can see everywhere at this time of year. And no wind HOORAY!

At Bridge 74 near Goytre the April Fools camped in a paddock near the bridge, a bit rough and hummocky, but it was possible to find the right hollows and humps to fit one’s bones. The hired portaloos had been effectively levelled by rustic means – thanks Lester! Once again the rain set in and it poured, so it was early to bed. About midnight there was still the sound of heavy rain on the flysheet, about half an hour later this had stopped, but extricating one ear from sleeping bag, liner and headscarf, I detected a different, lighter sound – this was sleet falling on the flysheet. A bit later – silence; but peeping out I could see something falling – snow. I woke again to some commotion – both Colin and Sue’s and Fran and Bob’s tents had suffered partial collapse with the weight of snow! The snow then turned back to rain, but it must have been freezing rain, as it had not washed away all the lying snow by the time we left the site. A really wet pack-up this time. Monday 2nd April - back on the canal the rain eased off in due course, but it was very chilly. We went on counting the bridges. At lunchtime, nearing Pontypool, we found an ace café in a mock-up of a tiny canal boat in the corner of a park, which served excellent all-day breakfast, toasted doorstep sandwiches etc. And no wind, HOORAY! The survivors paddled on, through the short Cwmbran Tunnel, to the end of the navigable canal at the top of the derelict flight of locks, then turned back to finish at bridge 47, and twelve of us (including the Davies family, able to relax at last) camped the night at Panteg House; the Panteg Employees Club had provided not only car parking for the weekend, but also camping space, use of their bar, an evening meal and breakfast for those of us able to stay a further night. About 50 had turned up at the start, and attended the Friday social – by the end of the trip on Monday about 15 paddled to the very end; a few others had completed the trip on Sunday evening by paddling the Sunday and Monday sections in one day, and escaping home before the snow interlude. Others had suffered misfortunes of illness, injury or kit failure and had opted out earlier on. But however many or few days they took part, our intrepid members, as always, took everything in good spirit and — as always — with lots of laughter. And no wind, HOORAY! A huge thank you to the Davies family — Helen, Anthony, Sara and Thomas — for organising everything so well, ferrying back and forth along the route and generally looking after us all. 9

MUDDY DOGS Pete Wood We were a little surprised when listening to the Talybont campsite answer phone, the lady said: ‘If you have a camper van you will have to cancel, the site is too wet!” Later she said they could tow our caravan to its pitch with a 4W drive. Well, we had packed and this was our first trip of the year, what’s stopping us? Your imagination conjures up all sorts of boggy wasteland. Talybont-On-Usk is situated in a red sand stone area, which is dredged up by the canal boats. It does go everywhere, on the dogs, up the awning and into the caravan. Good job we brought loads of towels to clean the dogs.

THINGS THAT GO BUMP Colin Southward

Access to the canal is up a steep incline and you have to concentrate, and stop your feet slipping, a bit like Spider man. The paddle to Brecon showed the distant snow capped hills, only visible through the bare hedges. Nice paddle, although my feet got cold. Too many socks, CB didn’t wear any and this was a much better approach. Going through the Ashford tunnel was very exciting, and variations of “Tally Me Bananas” resonated in the tunnel especially if you got the low notes.

On the Sunday night, Sue, Jack and I walked a mile and half in the rain to Goytre to celebrate our wedding anniversary. We walked back in even more rain and then settled in for the night. No problems. At about 2 in the morning I felt the tent pressing down on my head then a huge thump as if a sheep or something had run into our tent. So I leapt outside, wearing just my T shirt. Lo and behold, 3 inches of snow had weighed the tent down and caused part of it to collapse. I thought nothing of being nearly naked, sorting the tent out and not really affected by the cold and mud on my feet when through the darkness Fran appeared to give me a hand (she had been sorting out a similar problem with her tent). So there was she fully clothed and me apologising for being semi naked. Stranger things have not happened at sea or at least on a canoe camp.

THE JOURNEY WEST TO SOUTH WALES Shaun Mahoney This was my third attendance at a Canoe Camping Club Easter Meet, having attended the 2014 River Thames around Oxford and the 2015 River Idle & Chesterfield canal; both of these were in my pyranha fusion touring kayak. This time I thought it to be good idea to take my newish Dagger Reflection 15 open canoe to celebrate its 20th year; purchased last August from an OCA paddler based close to Derby who had originally purchased it new back in 1998! This Easter Meet also allowed me to make some use of my VW camper for 3 nights, with two nights under canvas, so some luxury for the planned 5 nights. A canoeing colleague, John Gilmour, at Milton Keynes Canoe Club mentioned last December the words “Monmouthshire & Brecon Canal” and how lovely it was; a few words from me indicating there was a club planning to paddle the whole length, convinced him of not losing a good opportunity! One of the nicest aspects of travelling towards South Wales from Northamptonshire is that one can motor through the delightful Cotswolds, via Croughton, Aynho, Deddington,

Chipping Norton, Stow-in-the Wold, Upper Swell & Toddington. Once one passes through Aynho, one immediately gets the feeling one is “on holiday”; and what’s even better, the road is completely free of traffic with the exception of farm tractors which today are much faster. Today’s SatNavs don’t take one through this delightful countryside! Having left home around 10am in the morning, I decided to first have a quick look at Brecon, mainly to study the vehicle parking option for the Friday. The planned itinerary indicated a there and back paddle of 14 miles, however being the 1st day I wanted a more gentle paddle. In agreement with my colleague we would paddle down from Brecon, an additional advantage was the camera would be facing the right way when the majority of paddlers would be coming up the canal. After finding a suitable free parking spot at Brecon, very close to the canal for the following day, I decided to walk in front of the Brecon Theatre back to the vehicle when I heard a bit of shouting coming from where I had just walked. I wasn’t 100% sure what the gentleman was shouting, but it seemed like Shaun, but then who did I know in Brecon, nobody. The gentleman was wearing a scuffy reddish jacket and was spotting a good beard, so I thought, he must be a Welshman wearing his national colours, and perhaps may have had a drink or two? But then I noticed a slight

resemblance of his face to that I normally see on my computer screen saver of a paddler in a yellow cag wading in 2 feet of water, paddle in hand, and his open canoe upside down. The gentleman was of course Terry! The photo of smiling Terry was taken on The River Severn – September 2016. I was one of the early arrivals at the Talybont campsite, only to be given a firm recommendation to keep off the camping greens as recent rains had made them a little soft! The alternative parking on harder ground seemed a sensible alternative having nearly become a cropper when CCC camped at Lake Bala last autumn! Friday Paddle – Brecon to Talybont – 7 Miles John & I left the campsite at 9:30am, taking the camper and two boats up to Brecon for the sedate paddle back to the campsite. The vehicle parking area spotted the previous day was free, thus saving any trolley usage. We were on the canal by 10:30, meeting Kevin who wanted to join us. We had a good paddle down towards the campsite at Talybont, the first paddlers coming up the canal were Liz & Bob, who were approaching the single lock on this section of the canal. When we got to a slightly higher lift bridge, which we could squeeze under, Kevin’s luck nearly ran out as he was under the bridge, both John & I thought he had capsized! The Friday paddle was a good opportunity to get a number of photos of our fellow paddlers. https://www.flickr.com/photos/123873784@ N02/collections Friday Social Evening Meal Local Village Hall What can one say, the food was excellent, which included 3 courses. The soup was mouth-watering, lovely and spicy, with a second helping available. The main course consisted of lasagne, with very well cooked and prepared vegetables, the desert included choice of a lovely meringue with strawberries, and cheeses with biscuits. The Chairman, Tim Wheeler, gave a short speech, thanking those who had come, and showed his delight that this Easter meet had been fully booked. One of the niceties of an evening is talking to others, and importantly new attendees and members of the Canoe Camping Club, therefore I was fortunate to be with Matt and his son Zac, together with Robin and my fellow colleague John. We all had a few good laughs during the evening! After the meal, Lester & Chris

provided some light entertainment with some puzzles to solve, including pictorial diagrams which had clues to words within the canoeing and boating environment! In addition, the table groups had to name the rivers running through or were associated with towns, this proved more difficult! Saturday Car Shuttle – To Griffithstown, Pontypool We were advised to leave the campsite between 8:15am to 8:30am in order to catch the mini-bus which was scheduled to return at 9:30am. The journey down took longer than expected, taking 50 minutes for the 27 miles. It was sad that after two nights of heavy rain, that a number of fellow paddlers decided to abort further paddling; even more sadder when a lady after driving all the way to Pontypool, her partner called her indicating the tent was not fit to use, therefore ending their paddling weekend. Saturday Paddle – Talybont to Park Farm, Llangattock – 9 miles – 5 Locks & Tunnel After arriving back in the mini-bus to the campsite, our kayaks & open canoes were subject to further adjustments. Everybody was very helpful in the portaging to the canal a few yards from the campsite. One memory I should perhaps forget, is accidently leaving my trolley wheels on the canal side, fortunately I clicked whist talking to Maggie and her two dogs that the trolley was not on board (luckily just a couple hundred yards from the start). At 11:20am we were on the canal paddling to our campsite 9 miles away. When we got to the Ashford Tunnel, we were pleasantly surprised to see marshals with walky-talkies in attendance, thank you Antony & Tim. As with any four day paddling, I assessed that I needed a proper set of wheels, these were purchased in January, however by the fourth lock they had decided not to carry the open canoe any longer, the trolley is currently subject to a warranty claim! Another unfortunate incident, was seeing a fellow paddler, water up to his waist, trying to find his mobile phone. Saturday Night Campsite – Park Farm, Llangattock When we arrived at Park Farm, we were provided with the choice of staying in the field close to the canal, but far away from any toilets, or using a farm trailer to move our equipment to the proper campsite area at Park Farm. After hearing reports that the weather 12

might be deteriorating for Sunday night and Monday, John & I decided to stay close to the canal, as would enable a quicker start in the morning. With the exception of a few the majority stayed on the field, which was very suitable and having good scenic views, with the added bonus of little farm-yard smells. I had again brought along my very small one man tent, but I had in addition a Vango Shelter, which Martin & John helped to erect. This proved useful against the wind although in hindsight a bigger lightweight tent would have been better. Sunday Paddle (No 1) – Park Farm to Goytre – 12 Miles – No Locks After rising at around 6:15am, we soon welcomed the warmth of the morning sun, which helped to thaw out John’s feet! We quickly started preparing breakfast and packing our things so we could get an early start, John indicated the previous evening that 8:00am start could be nice, however we did

start paddling at 9:00am. For the morning, John paddled ahead, as I was the slower paddler, which gave us time to study, photograph & chat whenever we wished. From 9:00am to 12:45pm I was constantly paddling at a speed, 25 minutes to the mile, stopping only to have a quick drink of water! We were fully aware that there was an option of completing the Monday paddle (7 miles), later that day, provided we arrived at Goytre early enough. We arrived at Goytre in excellent time, at 2:25pm. After discussing our options with Antony, we decided to continue to Sebastopol that afternoon, a 3pm start, 25 minutes for each mile, indicated a completion time of around 6pm. Sunday Paddle (No 2) – Goytre to Sebastopol – 7 Miles – No Locks The final seven miles was difficult and challenging, with blisters on my hands starting to appear, fortunately changing from mittens to normal gloves helped greatly. The scenery continued to be great, however we

any photographic evidence that there was 3 to 4 inches of snow, as claimed by one or two campers! Despite the rain & snow during the night, we had three rain free paddling days. Thanks go to Helen & Antony, and others for organising & supporting the weekend.

were wary that the clouds were starting to get darker towards the latter part of the paddle. On the final section we started chatting with one of the locals who was walking on the towpath, and was happy to stay with us; he suggested that we should exit at a bridge (Kemys Street) before the Panteg Employees Club, although a steeper hill, it was a much shorter walk, with just enough room on the road-side to park our vehicles. We welcomed the local advice as the heavens opened up. The gentleman was treated to a small drive in a lovely VW camper, which he enjoyed, although I doubt his mates would believe him later in the local pub! We returned back to Panteg Employees club, thus enabling John to have a change of clothing for his return journey home. I had planned to stay over-night in the camper in a little bit more comfort than those who were staying at Goytre, where I heard later that campers were up in the middle of the night in the midst of snow tying down their guide ropes etc! However, as yet, I cannot find

The Journey Back Home – Break at Toddington (Gloucestershire Warwickshire Steam Railway) When travelling to or from South Wales or Cornwall, I very often stop at Toddington Station, on the Gloucestershire Warwickshire Steam Railway to utilise the Flag & Whistle café. On this occasion the café was fairly full being a Bank Holiday Monday, therefore I sat opposite a gentleman, who turned out to be a keen cyclist, out for his 50 mile ride! He was a quite talkative fellow, I mentioned that I had been canoeing on the Monmouthshire & Brecon Canal, at which point he said he knew somebody who was daft enough to be camping and canoeing in this weather over the Easter weekend at Talybont, I mentioned what a co-incidence! At this stage his memory of his friend’s name rather alluded him, but I thought he mentioned the word Tim, the only Tim I could remember at the time was Tim Twitchen, but no. not that Tim. I did however get the cyclist first name, Eric and that his home was within a radius of 25 miles of Toddington (east of Tewkesbury), that hadn’t driven a car for over 20 years and that for a number of years lived at Cwmbran, the bottom end of the Monmouthshire & Brecon canal. Can anybody who attended the Easter Meet, identify Eric? A small world!

Paddling On New Years Day Colin Southward

The Herts East Anglia group had their annual New Year’s Day paddle again with fifteen paddlers taking part. Colin Brewster seems to think this is about the 27th time the run has been done. I think I have done it about eighteen times and have run it for the last five or six years. After last year when it poured down nearly all day it was good to have some benign weather for the first time; cool, but very enjoyable. Along with the regulars, it was good to have Tim Twitchen coming back after a long absence. The run is an easy paddle from the Fen Causeway car park next to the river Cam. This is a free car park almost in the middle of Cambridge, but does not open until 10 a.m. to deter commuters. If you have never done this before it’s a short paddle to a small weir with a set of rollers to lower the canoes (or punts) down to the next level. This next stretch takes you along the back of the colleges with excellent views over King’s College and others, going under the Mathematical Bridge and the Bridge of Sighs to mention some sights. Leaving the college behind we arrived at Jesus Lock and a short portage takes us round and down to the main part of the river. The lock is normally padlocked, except on New Year ’s Day for some reason, but I forgot to take a padlock key. This part of the river is now quite wider and the first part is past all the various rowing clubs. Care has to be taken now as there are usually a few sculls out. Narrow boats and others are tied up to the banks. It was very noticeable this year that a lot of hulks and wrecks seem to have gone. Leaving Cambridge behind, the views are more open and we soon arrive at the pub, the Plough, at Fen Ditton where we have our lunch. Having arrived in the dry, the heavens now opened and there was a torrential downpour for the next hour or so. Fearing the worst we went out for the return journey, even more as I had left my waterproofs back in the 15

car, the sun came out and it was dry all the way back. Excitement came back at Jesus Lock when three paddlers, Ali, David and Alex decided to capsize due to complacency. Being good canoeists, they all had spare clothes: everybody helped to right the canoe and we carried on to the end. By now the larger punts are out full of Japanese or Chinese tourists, all shouting “Happy New Year!” and taking our pictures. Very friendly. We finished just as it was getting dark, Anne and Dennis Krell having the longest drive back to Ipswich. Thanks to all who took part.

NATIONAL FAMILIES HOLIDAY MEET at HEREFORD ROWING CLUB

Friday 25th May to Sunday 3rd June 2018 (Limited Capacity 1-3 June) 8

THE CANOE CAMPING CLUB INVITES YOU TO THE NATIONAL FAMILIES HOLIDAY MEET

HEREFORD ROWING CLUB 37 Greyfriars Avenue, Hereford HR4 0BE www.herefordrc.co.uk Friday 25th May to Sunday 3rd June 2018 (Limited Capacity 1-3 June) PROPOSED ACTIVITIES FOR 2018 Day Paddles, Long & Short Canoe Camp the Wye (if leader forthcoming) Training: Canoe, kayak, safety Bring & try various boat and equipment types Marquee for social use (barbeque and other activities) Campsite games, canoe sports, Bilge sale etc Further details will be announced in update newsletters Communal Barbeque Saturday 26th 6pm Club Campsite Cook of the Year Competition Sunday 27th

The types of activities vary depending on the weather, river conditions being suitable and the availability of volunteers. The Meet relies on those with skills contributing – please let the organisers know if you are able to assist in training / run leading / organising “après-canoe” etc. Those that have been before will be expected to assist with stewarding etc, if not otherwise contributing to running of the event. Offers of help by newcomers will be very welcome. Please note there are no Electric Hook ups on this site. Water, Dishwashing & CDP are available at the club house Toilets and showers are available at the club house and Sea Cadets building RETURN COMPLETED FORMS with payment to Tim Wheeler 3 Birch Close Sprotbrough Doncaster DN5 7JY • Book only ONE pitch per form. Duplicate the form for extra pitches. • Complete the form and questionnaire fully. • Please do not send cash • Site opens 2pm. Friday 25th May, closes noon Sunday 3rd June 2018 • Refunds can only be provided after the event and will be at the discretion of the organising committee. For Inquiries regarding the meet, or offers of help, contact Tim Wheeler e-mail: holidaymeet@canoecampingclub.co.uk or phone 01302 645427 18

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If <18

Please include all persons attending

If you have one

Coaching Qualifications/ Canoeing Standard

2018 Fees Family Unit- 2 adults & children < 18years Camping : £11.00 per night (max 7 nights) Admin Fee £ 10.00

Booking Deposit £30 Members Guests: Temporary Membership Fee: £3.50 each

Additional Adults £5/night, additional Child rate £2.50 Solo Lightweight Campers Camping £5.50; Admin Fee £ 5.00 Booking Deposit £15.

Deposit to be sent with Booking Form. Balance payable on arrival. Cheque payable to ‘Canoe-Camping Club’ (drawn on a UK Bank) . Members guests cannot bring their own units (tent, caravan or motorhome)

CANOE-CAMPING CLUB – HEREFORD 2018 BOOKING FORM Family Name:

C&CC Number:

 Please tick if new to the meet Address: Post Code:

Phone Number (optional):

E-mail (to receive meet information updates and queries) We Intend to: Arrive on:  C&C Club Unit

time: or:

Depart on:

 Solo Lightweight Camper Tick one box

C&CC Unit consists of up to 2 Adults + children (5 -18). <18 CCY Members are only accepted if accompanied by a responsible adult.

Unit Type - please tick  Caravan  Motorhome

 Trailer tent

 Tent

Note: 1. You must be registered with the C&CC to book a unit. 2. Non-members may only camp with a member and must use the same unit as the full member. They must register and pay as temporary members if >18 and will also be charged as an additional person. 3. Non-family <18yrs will usually be charged the additional child rate. 4. Small Pup tents must be pitched with the main unit and must not be used for cooking.

)

We are always reading about various trips that are run throughout the year by all the different organisers, but we very rarely think of the organisers themselves and complications therein. First each section has volunteers who

offer to run trips at different times and from different venues throughout the year. For some this can be merely (tongue in cheek) giving out details of runs they have done before with setting times and dates to suit either themselves or the club section. Organisers need to collect BCU numbers and Camping club numbers before the start of each run. An example of this is Pete Bradshaw organising the Herts East Anglia section on their October weekend each year. The campsite is booked; all members receive the email, contact 21

the run leader (Pete) and turn up on the day. Everyone knows the format. But what about running a one off trip? The organiser has to think of a venue with a start and finish point with access not only for canoes/kayaks, but parking for cars and vans. If this is an out and back trip, this can be straight forward, no car shuttle or finding out about two different access points. An example of this is the New Years Day paddle through Cambridge; start at Fen Causeway free car park, canoe to the pub and then return. No hassle or problems. On linear trips, starting and finishing points provide a different set of problems, revolving around the car shuttle, getting cars to the end, but returning to the start to begin the paddling. This is where it gets slightly more complicated. How many paddlers are there and how many cars do you take to the end. The next problem is how many cars need to come back to the start? Planning can be made more difficult if more people decide to join in at a late

Running A Day Trip Colin Southward

date, or even drop out. The journey now commences, but at the end, someone has to return some drivers back to the start to pick up the cars left at the starting point. These drivers then have to return back to the end to pick up their canoes/kayaks. Someone may have to wait until these drivers then return with their vehicles. Organisers will be looking at who can take double canoes or kayaks on their cars to save some journeys. We are looking at a drive from start to finish back to start and back to finish. This is four trips (not such a green sport when you think of it like that). All time consuming. There is no manual for all this and we rely on the individual organiser and the good will of each other to offer solutions, but ultimately it is down to the organiser. The good thing is nobody ever complains about the arrangements, we all know on the morning of the run it can take a while to be sorted out. It does pay to be patient with the organiser as they are responsible on the day for

all manner of things, even deciding when there should be a lunch or brew stop and how long before starting again. Then at the end of the day, run lists have to posted off to Fran and then one can think of doing it again next year. P.S. thanks to Philip and Elizabeth Haydon who in a recent H & EA trip from Harlow were too ill to paddle, but turned up to help with the car shuttle. A real team spirit for all of us. 22

29 APR RIVER THAMES CHERTSEY / THAMES & SOUTHEAST

RUNS LIST 2018 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.

5 MAY - 7 MAY RIVER SEVERN MONTFORD BRIDGE / DEE & NORTH WEST 19 MAY - 20 MAY RIVER YARE HERTS & EAST ANGLIA 20 MAY UPPER RIVER MOLE THAMES & SOUTHEAST 25 MAY - 3 JUN RIVER WYE HEREFORD / NATIONAL FAMILIES MEET 3 JUN THAMES TIDEWAY BARNES / THAMES & SOUTHEAST 9 JUN - 10 JUN RIVERS ALDE & DEBEN HERTS & EAST ANGLIA 10 JUN RIVER WEAVER & SHROPSHIRE UNION CANAL NORTHWICH / DEE & NORTH WEST 15 JUN - 17 JUN CHICHESTER HARBOUR COBNOR / THAMES & SOUTHEAST 29 JUN - 1 JUL RIVER THAMES SHILLINGFORD / THAMES & SOUTHEAST 30 JUN - 1 JUL NORFOLK CREEKS HERTS & EAST ANGLIA 6 JUL - 8 JUL RIVER THAMES OXFORD / MIDLANDS 14 JUL - 15 JUL POOLE HARBOUR THAMES & SOUTHEAST 14 JUL - 15 JUL RIVER TRENT / CANAL SWARKESTONE / MIDLANDS 28 JUL - 29 JUL RIVERS CUCKMERE & OUSE / THAMES & SOUTHEAST

29 JUL RIVER DEE ECCLESTON FERRY DEE & NORTH WEST 4 AUG - 5 AUG CONISTON WATER CONISTON HALL /DEE & NORTH WEST 11 AUG - 12 AUG RIVERS HAMBLE & BEAULIEU / THAMES & SOUTHEAST 25 AUG - 27 AUG RIVER AVON ECKINGTON / MIDLANDS 26 AUG RIVER WEY OLD WOKING / THAMES & SOUTHEAST 8 SEP - 9 SEP RIVER THAMES CHERTSEY / THAMES & SOUTHEAST 9 SEP RIVER OSEA HERTS & EAST ANGLIA 15 SEP - 16 SEP RIVER GREAT OUSE & RIVER CAM HERTS & EAST ANGLIA

3 NOV - 4 NOV RIVER THAMES WINDSOR / THAMES & SOUTHEAST 18 NOV BASINGSTOKE CANAL CHURCH CROOKHAM / THAMES & SOUTHEAST 25 NOV RIVER DOUGLAS RUFFORD / DEE & NORTH WEST 3 DEC RIVER OUSE ST NEOTS / HERTS & EAST ANGLIA 9 DEC RIVER WEY GUILDFORD / THAMES & SOUTHEAST 16 DEC BRIDGEWATER CANAL LITTLE BOLLINGTON / DEE & NORTH WEST DEE & NORTH WEST COORDINATOR Brian Hamer, 16 Teal Avenue, Poynton, Stockport, Cheshire, SK12 1JT Tel: 01625 879504 Email: DeeNW@canoecampingclub.co.uk

21 SEP - 23 SEP RIVER STOUR HERTS & EAST ANGLIA

ASSISTANT DEE & NW COORDINATOR Anneke Rowlinson, 1 Marshbrook Road, Urmston, Manchester, M41 7DU Tel: 0161 698 5410 Email: deenw2@canoecampingclub.co.uk

22 SEP - 23 SEP RIVER SEVERN MONTFORD BRIDGE/DEE & NORTH WEST

HERTS & EAST ANGLIA COORDINATOR Pete Bradshaw, 53 Hillingdon Avenue, Sevenoaks, TN13 3RB Email: HertsEA@canoecampingclub.co.uk

23 SEP RIVER THAMES READING / THAMES & SOUTHEAST 29 SEP - 30 SEP RIVER MEDWAY THAMES & SOUTHEAST 6 OCT - 7 OCT NORFOLK BROADS HERTS & EAST ANGLIA 7 OCT RIVER WEY THAMES & SOUTHEAST 21 OCT LANCASTER CANAL LANCASTER / DEE & NORTH WEST 21 OCT RIVER THAMES BOURNE END / THAMES & SOUTHEAST

MIDLANDS COORDINATOR Simon Beeston 11 Elston Hall Lane, Bushbury, Wolverhampton, WV10 9HE Tel: 01902 653430 Email: Midlands@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 THAMES & SOUTH EAST COORDINATOR Robin Hickman, 32 Shepherds Way, Roffey, Horsham, W Sussex, RH12 4LS Tel: 01403 267244 Email: Thames@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

GROUNDHOG PADDLE SOUTHERN BOAT SERIES (SBS) FAIRTHORNE MANOR WILD WATER RACE WORDS & PHOTOS BY SUSAN TEMPLETON A total of 22 paddlers convened at YMCA Fairthorne Manor for the second Wild Water Race (WWR) of the season at this venue. Despite doom and gloom weather reports, the temperature was milder than expected which was a bonus. The Hamble Sea Scouts, as with all River Hamble races, arrived and left by boat in true SBS traditions. Of some concern was the constant rat a tat tat of gunfire in the near distance, but SBS paddlers were undeterred and set off for the start at Botley Mill, despite the potential friendly/unfriendly barrage, although some of the wiser paddlers did leave off the ďŹ&#x201A;uorescent garments to go dark!!! The main run, after the mile paddle up, was a single run down the twisty and in parts branch overhanging course at full speed for individual honours. 15 year old Michael Preston of the Hamble Sea Scouts in a time of eight minutes exactly, beat off his scout leader John Dyke to take first place, with 79 year old Richard Davis from Itchen Valley Canoe Club coming in third. Alistair Brown in his new Wild Water racing boat came in a credible fourth. In the Ladies, 60 year old Susan Templeton of Itchen Valley Canoe Club came in first followed by 12 year olds Lexi Brown and Izzy Thomas of 25

the Hamble Sea Scouts. The Canadian double class was tightly fought with Hamble Sea Scouts Phil Brown and 11 year old Ethan Smith just holding off Chris Fawcett and Martin Bell and then Sue and Zoe Bell, the latter two teams both from Winchester and District Canoe Club. The open event was won with the fastest time of the day seven minutes and eight seconds, by 15 year old Hamble Sea Scout Tom Holland in his marathon racing kayak. The groundhog paddle was when the organiser then sent the field back up to the start, another mile, to do a fun team race of three paddlers per team. The aim was to enforce team work, SBS paddlers should leave no team member behind and to push each other potentially harder than when paddling singly. The teams were chosen at random by the organiser, with the winner being the team whose slowest member improved the most. As a result all the teams went up a gear, with three teams improving a paddlers first run time which was impressive. Most paddlers had therefore done four miles paddling and there were some tired paddlers queuing up for the hot soup/chocolate and cake provided by Sarah Thomas.

After all the paddlers had received their operational medals the SBS dispersed to meet again for their next mission in a week at Woodmill Activity Centre. Run by Itchen Valley and The Sharks Canoe Clubs http://www.thesharks.org.uk/ For details of National Wild Water races locally and across the country go to GB WWR website http://www.wildwater.org.uk . Many thanks to YMCA Fairthorne Manor for allowing such great racing to be held from their lovely grounds. For details of all the activities and services available from go to http://www. ymca-fg.org/

ALL ABOARD! Michael Preston Menâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Winner

Richard Kent Menâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s winner by few nautical miles

Tired Paddlers

After the success and fun of 2017’s Cook-Off at NFOL, the Club is launching Club Campsite Cook of the Year 2018 - in association with CADAC, the Club’s Eat Local sponsor - and want you to take part. All regions and sections have been invited to hold heats in order to find their best campsite cooks to enter into the Club-wide competition. To find our most enthusiastic, talented and keen campsite cooks, The Canoe-camping Club will be holding our own heat at our Hereford Families meet on Sunday 27th May The winner of our section event will win a Cadac Grill O Chef barbecue worth £140 In early August 2018, all region/section winners’ recipes will be judged by the Eat Local team at HQ, and eight winners invited to take part in the exciting cook-off final at the Cadac stand, NFOL at 4.30 on Saturday 25th August 2018. The overall winner will be presented with a Club Cook of the Year Trophy and a fantastic CADAC patio barbecue. The winning recipe will also be published in the Eat Local pages of the magazine. There are fantastic runner-up prizes too. So, how do you get involved? The essence of the competition is to demonstrate skill and creativity in producing a simple campsite meal beyond burgers and sausages. We are asking entrants to send us their recipe for one main course meal. This meal must be a camping-friendly recipe, one that is possible to prepare and cook at your pitch on a bbq grill or gas stove. (No ovens, microwaves or electric appliances allowed) The actual cooking time (not including prep) must be 30 minutes or under. The recipes will be judged on suitability for campsite cooking, creativity, and in particular the judges will be looking for a meal that embraces the spirit of our Eat Local campaign, whether it’s using a fresh local, seasonal ingredient, incorporates a regional cheese, beer or fruit or perhaps just taking inspiration from a regional dish or flavour. From easy but tasty one pan suppers, exciting salads, vegetarian feast a fabulous fish dish, great grilled meats to pasta with a twist... anything goes, we are looking to be inspired! Entrants are asked to submit details of their proposed meal via our online form at https://bit.ly/2HcbrPx closing date: 20th May 2018. 27

2018 Annual General Meeting

The 2018 Annual General Meeting of The Canoe-camping Club will be held on Saturday 26th May 2018 at Hereford Rowing Club, Griffiths Avenue, Hereford, HR4 0BE. MR 149/506396. We look forward to seeing you there. Nominations of folk willing to become committee members should be sent to Fran Faulkner, 23 Somerville Rd, Eton SL4 6PB, by 12th May 2018.

for sale

Vango Ark 200+ 4.7 Kg 3000mm waterproofing Overall length 385 cm Inner length 210 cm Outer length (porch) 165 cm width at front 160 cm + width at back 137 cm Height 115 cm, tapering down to 105 cm at the back. Comes with 2 complete sets of poles, as I found the poles easy to break! Used twice. Good weekend base-camp tent. Sale motivated by too many tents in my possession now I have purchased a caravan.ÂŁ25.00, plus postage costs if purchaser unable to collect. Many thanks & Best Wishes Pauline James 07804512526 17, Camelot Close, RH13 9XP. ENDLESS RIVER MAIL ORDER SPECIALISTS Tel. 01905 640003 Please contact us for your free colour brochure. All the accessories you need for canoes, kayaks and yourself P.O. Box 699, Worcester, WR2 6ZL E-mail dave@endlessriver.co.uk www.endlessriver.co.uk

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 2oth June 2018. We canâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;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/ 29

“

Dear Fran [and the Canoe Camping Club], It’s a while since we met, but my health has now failed to such an extent

...that I must give up kayaking, neither my lungs or heart work well enough.

“

I have three plastic kayaks – Easkey 13 Capella 166RM, and a 2 metre play boat which I bought from a Norwich Farm.

There is also DADS MONEY, a 2 man kayak with bow and stern cockers. This was built for me by Solway Dory out of marme ply. There are many life jackets (one with spare CO2 cartridge), buoyancy aids, waterproof storage, containers and bags. There are six double ended paddles — 2 are carbon fibre — the others are aluminium tube from Ottersports. Nigel Cross If you are interested in any of the above items, please contact Nigel c/o the Secretary.

CANOE CAMPING ON THE MONMOUTHSHIRE & BRECON CANAL

(ROBIN HICKMAN ENJOYING BREAKFAST UNDER A RARE BLUE SKY)

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Club Care Insurance Services is a trading name licensed to Vantage Insurance Services Limited (“VISL”) by The Camping and Caravanning Club. VISL is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA No 311541) and acts on behalf of Insurers who have authorised VISL to issue and administer your policy.