Wow, what an epic paddle. It seemed to have a bit of everything that a flatwater tour could ask for. River, canal, backwaters, tiny streams, urban, rural, herds of free ranging cows and horses on Port Meadow, picnickers on the banks, cyclists, walkers, over trees, under trees, even through trees!

Once again an AD paddle enjoyed blue skies. The start was at Wolvercote Car Park at the north end of Port Meadow, north of Oxford city. A lovely get-on next to a stone bridge and the first boat on had Tenzing in it. This was an attempt to stop him jumping in and out of everyone else’s boat as they were getting on. He still jumped in and out except it was the same boat very time meaning that more and more water was entering the boat via his coat. About five minutes after starting the trip we had to stop to bail out – 18 bails!

So, down the river to Tumbling Bay the site of the old outdoor swimming which is now full of reeds. A portage and then down Bulstake Stream, a backwater of the Thames. Narrow? No, not as much as Hinksey Stream which we took to reach our lunch stop at The Fishes in North Hinksey. Of course, it meant the saw had to come out again. Third consecutive trip!

Making our way back through the narrow up, over and through section we re-entered the Thames to paddle down to the mouth of Castle Mill Stream. This is the original route of the Thames going through the city centre and right up close to the Castle. Yet more branches but this time we realised that a pruning saw was going to be insufficient as a massive tree had come down across the stream. Team work portaging took us past this obstruction only to be faced with a ridiculously low bridge. Almost lying down in the boat to get through and then we saw the next obstruction. Lock gates and a climb up a two metre plus wall. A paddlers sling was set up as a stirrup and for some of us a bit of pushing and pulling from helpful hands and we were up.

The final leg took us through the City of Oxford joining the Oxford Canal and paddling back to Wolvercote via an ice cream van! Some more portages and narrow streams took us back to our start point. The circuit completed and at no point paddling against the current!

All agreed it was a fantastic trip. Donna summed it up as: Just wanted to say thank you for a super day out yesterday. The Hatchett clan really enjoyed the day and the fantastic company. On a personal note – this time last year I would never have thought that I would be willing or able to wade through backwaters, limbo under fallen trees, scramble up steep river banks, clamber across unmanned narrow boats, shimmy up canal walls with use of a sling, navigate the underside of a very low lying bridge arch, talk to complete strangers with a passion about paddling while sounding reasonably convincing that I know what I’m talking about, or enter a pub in wet gear with a very muddy backside……all in a day trip for an AD member ah. Epic!

See the pictures here

Adventure Dolphin’s paddling trip on Sunday 22^nd April from the tiny Oxfordshire village of Islip to Oxford saw our group of 14 negotiate three rivers, and see some of Oxford’s most famous sights.

We were a little unsure as to what the state of the river would be as there had been thunderstorms the previous night and the River Cherwell had been in flood the week before, but much to our surprise the River Ray, which was our starting point, was at a reasonable level.

After a muddy scramble down a bank we set off; just a kilometre on and we went over the weir which was pretty uneventful – in fact, we almost missed it as the water levels were the same on either side!  Further on and we reached the confluence of the Ray and Cherwell and entered a fast-flowing stream which made for an easy and extremely pleasant journey.

This was, however, short lived as we soon came across our first obstruction and the cry ‘Send in the tree fellers’ was raised.  Ian Flanders, Adrian and Sally Moon set about clearing a path through the branches. Adrian declared “the tree felling award goes to Ian who chose to tackle a bough of 20cm diameter with a pruning saw, a task made more difficult as the offending branch was underwater.”

The route took the group through the outskirts of North Oxford, paddling past Summertown, the home of Chief Inspector Morse, before stopping off at the ever-popular Victoria Arms –  so popular all need to be warned that it can be extremely busy on a fine warm day.

Back on the water we paddled past Oxford colleges, Parsons’ Pleasure and the weir next to the punt rollers. We seemed to attract lots of interest from walkers and picnickers as we passed by. Perhaps it was the sight of a large group of paddlers or maybe it was the dog fishing for sticks from a canoe.

The route continued past the medieval walls of Magdalen College and Magdalen Bridge, and then on through the Botanic Gardens with the magnificent backdrop of college towers, church spires and Christchurch Meadow. Much amusement was had as the group played what Adrian described as “dodge the punter” as we tried to avoid the many punts being erratically steered.

We had almost made it when we found our way blocked by a maintenance barrier that meant that we had to portage from the Cherwell to the Thames.  At this point one of our party decided that he really needed to find out what the water felt like. To put it another way one of our kayakers had an unexpected swim while climbing out by the high bank.

The final leg saw the need for us to avoid many college boats, whose rowers insist on going backwards, before we finally finished at the Riverside Centre at Donnington Bridge.  It was a great paddle – we were luckier than expected with the weather and we had lots of opportunities to test our manoeuvring skills whilst chatting with friends.

Report by Ed Edwards Trip Leader with contributions from group members who were:

Ian Flanders and Ian Blatchley (additional river leaders), Adrian Moon, Sally Moon, Jane Edwards, Corinna Bailie, Alison Stephens, Ray Cook, Lizzy Feuillade, Sue Elwood, John Elwood Elaine Greaves, Colin Greaves and Tenzing.

 

VOLUNTEERS NEEDED
30th March – 2nd April 2018

DW has been organised every Easter Weekend since 1948 by Volunteers.
We need a team of 300 people to help us safely run the race – every year!

Volunteering is a great way for previous competitors and support crew to give time back to DW. and help others realise their goals. It’s also an opportunity for future entrants to learn about the race, the course and the people that make DW unique.

Many volunteers come back year after year, passing on important skills and knowledge. Volunteering for DW can be hard work and great fun. But it can also be rewarding, addictive and you’ll join an amazing community.

Key volunteer roles needed during Easter Weekend include:

• Devizes (Start) Team
• Umpires
• Safety Teams
• Checkpoints & Comms
• Marshals
• Campsite crew
• First Aiders
• Westminster (Finish) Team.

  Many roles are flexible, so volunteer for a couple of hours or all weekend. To volunteer, get in contact including your availability, preferred location and role, by e-mail or DW Facebook page:
  Rachel Dennis – DW Volunteer Co-ordinator
  dwvolunteers@gmail.com

  We’d like to hear from groups available to work as a team anywhere on the route, as well as each tide at the Westminster Finish Village (Sunday 16th AM & PM, Monday 17th AM).

  Thank you – DW Race Organising Team

  P.S. Date for your diary: DW will be 19th – 22nd April 2019

  Devizes to Westminster International Canoe Race
  125 miles | 77 portages | 300 Volunteers
  www.dwrace.org.uk