22Jul 2023 by Michael Quinn No Comments

Llangollen Canal

Event, News, Recreational, Trip, Trip Reports
Paddlers Dave H. Trip Leader Conrad C, Assistant. Hannah S, Report Writer, Rach H Jai A, Assistant 2. On Sat 22nd July 5 Nomads went to Wales. A trip that has been long in the planning. We finally made it to Wales ( to embark on a 3 night camping and kayaking adventure along the Llangollen canal from Llangollen to Whixall, approximately 31 miles in total. 11 miles of which are a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It has been a dream to kayak over the famous Pontcysyllte Aqueduct (known as The Stream in the Sky); the highest navigable aqueduct in the world at 38m above the river Dee, and the longest aqueduct in the UK at 307m long. We also visited Horseshoe Falls, crossed the Chirk Aqueduct and paddled through…
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09Jul 2023 by Dave Hillier No Comments

River Cam through Cambridge

Event, News, Recreational, Reports, Trip, Trip Reports
9 July 2023 We met in the Water Street car park. A very nice, quiet spot east of the town centre. The weather looked a bit threatening and the weather forecast was mixed but Dave assured us the it never rains on his trips and on this occasion he was right. It was a beautiful day throughout. Given that this was my first trip I have to assume that this is always the case since 100% of my experience proves it. After Phil got his dogs settled onto the front of his kayak and following Conrad's slightly unorthodox entrance to the river we headed off upstream through the suburbs of Cambridge and it was peaceful and calm beginning to our 5.4 mile journey towards lunch before turning around and heading…
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23Jun 2023 by Dave Hillier No Comments

Thames Trip, Castle Eaton to Lechlade

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On a wonderfully warm and sunny day, we started out from The Red Lion in Castle Eaton. Get-in was from the pub garden, not forgetting to pay a £5 launch fee for each boat. The river was running with a gentle current and well below the flood level we experienced in the winter where the fields on the other side of the bank had become shallow lakes. This section of the Thames was entertainingly twisty with thick reed growth lining the river and relatively steep banks river right. Paddling with concentration was required to avoid getting tangled in the tree branches overhanging the water. A high-water paddle would make the first third of this section tricky but, as it was, the winding nature of the river made for an interesting…
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05May 2023 by Dave Hillier 1 Comment

River Thames, Section 13, Chertsey to Teddington

Event, Recreational, Reports, Trip, Trip Reports, Uncategorized
The final paddle of the non-tidal section of the Thames started just outside Chertsey Lock (KT16 8LF) and ended just before Teddington Lock (TW10 7YE) on a lovely sunny day. Our get-in was a convenient slide-in between the lock and Chertsey Bridge on the left bank of the river. There’s enough space alongside the road to unload and kit up before shuttling vehicles to the get-out. Shepperton Lock was the first of three to negotiate and was the only one we passed through without a portage.  The lock keeper had seen us coming and filled the lock ahead of our arrival, so we were soon in and out. During the first half of the trip there were showers of “condensation”, some very heavy. This obviously wasn’t rain according to Dave…
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23Apr 2023 by Dave Hillier No Comments

River Thames Kayak Camping Trip

Event, News, Recreational, Reports, Trip, Trip Reports, Uncategorized
22-23rd April 2023 Paddlers Dave H, (Organiser, Leader, Weather Expert and Report writer). Graham  S, (Leader and Bat Expert). Conrad C. (Historian and Harmonica Expert). Jai A. (Comedian, Bug out/in and anti moan Expert). Hannah S. (Nutrition, Breakfast, Snacks, Brunch, Snacks, Lunch, Dinner, More Snacks, Evening meal, Supper and more Snacks Expert). On 22nd April 2023 five Nomads with fully loaded kayaks set out on journey down the River Thames that involved an overnight camp. About 10 miles in total as the crow flies split into 2 x 5 mile sections. We wanted to pay respects at Sandford Lasher and explore Sutton Pools along the way. We initially met up at the McDonalds for a chat, breakfast and coffee. After the usual safety briefing, warm up and discussions we were ready to…
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09Apr 2023 by Dave Hillier No Comments

River Cherwell

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“The Fellowship of the Spring” or Nomad Kayak Club’s River Cherwell 2023 Trip Report. On a fine Easter Sunday morning an intrepid band of a dozen adventurers assembled on the bank of the Thames near the Riverside centre in Oxford (OX4 4BJ). As had long been foretold the sun would shine, no rain would fall and temperatures would reach a balmy high of 15 degrees, making for very pleasant paddle conditions. After our merry band had assembled the necessary craft, equipment and provisions, our leader Dave H the Dauntless briefed us for the journey ahead. River levels were high however the anticipated dangers were only a few passages of fast-moving water and the possibly variable ability of passing amateur punt pilots. Paddling upstream on the Thames we passed “The Kidneys”…
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02Apr 2023 by Dave Hillier No Comments
Bury Lake Clean Up

Bury Lake Clean Up

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This one needed a plan A, B and C. (A) was the Grand Union Canal and the River Colne loop, (B) was the Grand Union and backwaters, and (C) was the Club (Bury) Lake. Plan A, due to the weather and rain last week all the water levels had risen massively, making the River Colne a grade 3 water. Due to having to keep both hands on the paddle in grade 3, litter picking was out of the question, so plan A was dismissed. Plan B, the Canal and possibly some backwaters. This became a no no on the morning of the clean up, due to high water levels and a fast flowing current of flood water across the Canal at the Junction near Tesco. Also It seemed some pollution…
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31Mar 2023 by Dave Hillier No Comments

River Thames: Section 12 – Windsor to Chertsey

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Distance: 13 miles downstream Date: Friday 31st March 2023 Start: Windsor Leisure Centre Slipway, Stovell Road, Windsor SL4 5BZEnd: The Kingfisher Pub, Chertsey Bridge Rd, Chertsey KT16 8LF Paddlers:Dave Hillier (organiser)Chris HarperSue LeonConrad Chambers (trip report) Non-paddlers:Pierre Leon (researcher)Graham (shuttle driver) Dave, as usual, issued a completed risk assessment in advance of the scheduled date for the paddle.Pierre, also as usual, provided an excellent map, along with a detailed breakdown of the route.This one included multiple optional get-out points in case it was decided to split the 13 mile trip into smaller sections.Despite Dave’s empty promises of good weather, we met up on a blustery and rain-soaked morning at the Windsor slipway. As we got changed under the conveniently dry arch of the A332 bridge over the river, Pierre told…
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12Mar 2023 by Dave Hillier No Comments

Basingstoke Canal Mixed Craft Trip

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(Dave, Nigel, Sue, Pierre, Jai, Nathan, Phillip, Hannah, Conrad, Andy.)(Ana + 6 Paddle boarding with Ana) On Sunday March 12th 2023, 10 Nomads from Rickmansworth and 7 Paddle boarders from Stand up paddle boarding with Ana from Tonbridge met at the Mytchett centre for a 10 mile paddle along the Basingstoke canal, 5 miles up and return. Once prepped, dressed and ready to get on the water we gathered for the usual safety brief (given by Dave) and who carefully passed the warm up on to Nigel. There was also a group of ramblers gathering at the nearby campsite who gave a bit of an audience for 17 paddlers acting out their normal morning routine with some running up and downstairs, brushing teeth and doing all sorts of things in…
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