Avon Trip 21st October 2017
This was planned as a Barford to Stratford trip. Due to the 40mph wind that was forecast for the Saturday, we had to have a rethink.
So on the very still and calm (never trust the weather forecast) Saturday morning, we all met at St Nicholas Park in the centre of Warwick for a ‘there and back’ type trip.
We had 13 members in 12 kayaks and one Canoe. Firstly we set off downstream to the top of the weir, from here you get a great view of Warwick castle, which is pretty impressive and a great photo opportunity.
Then we headed upstream past the rowing club, Warwick boats and the park, then past the confluence of the river Leam, until we got to Rock mill Weir. A Quick/discrete portage (well we tried to be quick) was needed here, this includes a 3ft seal launch back in to the river, which went better than expected and was good fun.
We then carried on upstream past the back of Guy’s Cliffe house, this is a very old ruin of a building, which must have been a very impressive place before the fire which wrecked it.
We found a Rope swing on the way where in normal Dale style, he showed us how to do it.
Eventually we got to Guy’s Cliffe weir which is behind the Saxon Mill pub. Here we had a quick Scooby snack and a leg stretch while Neil showed us how to shoot it in style.
Heading back we all shot Rock mill, which was way easier and quicker to shoot that portage up. On the way back downstream to the get in point, we headed up the Leam half a mile or so to Princes drive weir. This is the start point for the Annual RLSCC organised Doggy paddle and a nice little weir to shoot at the right water levels, which most people did at least once and Rob showed us how to do it backward.
This was a great Alternative to the planned trip, we did a total of 8 miles with 3 weirs with no car shuttle. A nice little paddle was had by all, followed by a debrief (beer) at the Saxon mill on the way home.
Dave Clarke