| |
|||||||
| |
|||||||
 |
| Local Links Other Links
|
Paddling I first learned to canoe whilst working at an outdoor centre in the English Lake District in 1988. The children thought it was great fun that their mountain instructor was just as helpless as them in a kayak. The best 'training' trip we did was from Grasmere all the way back to camp. There was quite a gap then until I moved to Cambridge and had a flat at Mitcham's Corner. I bought a kayak on the basis that it is one outdoor activity you can do in this flat area of the country. I was on the third floor and regularly hauled the kayak up or down to the river just across the road, much to the surprise of motorists on the roundabout. From Chesterton I would paddle to Waterbeach, Ely or as far as Denver (where the Great Ouse becomes tidal and heads for The Wash) with an overnight bivvi or two. My father bought himself a kayak too and we paddled near his home on the Walton backwaters and I did sea trip over to Dovercourt. We both joined the Cambridge Canoe Club and also completed an open boat course together at Mepal. In 1999, I organised a tour for a small group of friends (including Derek and Jean) along the Caledonian Canal in Scotland. It must rate as one of the most scenic long distance inland tours in the UK. That was the start of this website. 
My father has joined the Canoe Camping Club and I joined him for a long weekend paddling at Brancaster, Wells-Next-The-Sea and Blakeney in Norfolk. I have also paddled the Little Ouse between Thetford and Brandon Creek where it joins the Great Ouse. Annually, the River Stour Trust organise a 'length of the river' tour from Sudbury to Manningtree with one overnight stop. The three of us completed this in 2002 with Bill, May and Rex from our club and a great bunch of people. The most exotic location was on Lake Malawi in a hired double sea kayak. Great snorkelling too. I would like to do more sea kayaking sometime, especially in Scotland. |
|