Bradford on Avon Trip 25th April 2010

[Kevin Coombes]

I noticed, are you trying to rub it in? 

[NigelSharpe]

I hope to come along - I have still not moved house.

I have just put a starting offer on a house at Okehampton, but am awaiting a response from the vendor.

[Kevin Coombes]

If you move there you definately have to do the east okement with me  ... I dont get why all of devons pool drops are grade 5+, i've found a trib to the east lyn and its just as hard  . I guess i'll have to save up to do the etive after all!

[NigelSharpe]

I guess i'll have to save up to do the etive after all!

I am still planning to go up to Fort William (past Etive) during the first week of May. I am not planning to take my Karnali with me though. I am planning to take my sea kayak for a few solo paddles.

I have just noticed that the Ringwood Club are planning a River Avon trip on the same day as the Salisbury Club - coincidence

...and then I see that somebody called Gordon A is arranging a Ringwood trip to Tryweryn on the same weekend that Salisbury are going - bigger coincidence

[Mark]

I'd booked the Touring 3 Star up as a kind of stepping stone to the White Water.  Unfortunately they have rearranged the assessment twice now - should have completed it last October!!

[Kevin Coombes]

Ahh, ... I dont think it would be a stepping stone. All 3 stars should have similar difficulty, just different environments.

Nigel I've only just seen the ringwood K&A Trip, its news to me! Plus they are paddling back up stream.... Who on earth would contemplate that!

The tryweryn is arranged with us though

[NigelSharpe]

Nigel I've only just seen the ringwood K&A Trip, its news to me! Plus they are paddling back up stream.... Who on earth would contemplate that!

What are our plans? I would favour the ukriversguidebook recommended trip from Bradford to Bathampton. See http://www.ukriversguidebook.co.uk/swengland/avonsomersetbradford.htm
This would involve meeting in the railway station carpark. This pay and display so we should travel in as few vehicles as possible.
The Ringwood Club are proposing to use a car park which is very small (if it is the one that I am thinking about), so I would  not recommend starting from there. There is another pay and display carpark in the town centre west of the bridge, but that will fill with tourists.

I don't know what the pub car park is like at Bathampton, but it would seem unfair to fill it with cars without getting permission.

How many are coming? From this thread; me, Kev, Mark C plus Tom, Richard (late), Gordon said he was interested yesterday, so 6 so far. Can anybody else be recruited by email or on Tuesday night? It was aimed at beginners.

[NigelSharpe]

Fixed the chain oiler on my motorbike, so I needed to give it a run to try it out.

So I went to have a look at the get in and get out as per the ukriversguidbook.

Bradford - The get in from the railway station car park is easy under the railway bridge right next to the carpark at the very end. The car park charges are £3.60 all day. It also acts as the main car park for the town so was full when I got there at 1am but there should be plenty of space early on.

Bathampton - the get out is easy into the pub gardens at the Bathampton Mill. The pub is very popular for Sunday lunches and today there was absolutely no parking at 2pm. The riverside gardens were full to overflowing with diners. I suspect that we would not be popular with the owners if we filled the carpark without asking them.

However, directly opposite the entrance to the pub is a muddy verge/layby next to a farm gate. There would be enough parking for a couple of cars there and if we are early then it is unlikely that anyone will be parked there.

[Mark]

Ah, but the River Touring 3* dosen't include sculling for support or rolling!

[Mark C]

I am pretty certain Nick was planning on going to this one I will text him and get him to post a definitive answer. If it makes life easier Kevin, I will make sure I have the van again. If this makes the shuttle easier?!?

[Nick]

I'd like to go on this trip, but admit to being a bit nervous!!!

[NigelSharpe]

I'd like to go on this trip, but admit to being a bit nervous!!!

Go for it! Nervous is good. Scared is good - terrified is bad!

It is a good beginner's paddle - basically flat water with a few weirs. There is no shame in walking around something that you don't want to paddle - Gordon and I do it regularly! All of the weir's can be portaged. If you decide to paddle them, there will be plenty of people to fish you out if you fall in.

[NigelSharpe]

I am pretty certain Nick was planning on going to this one I will text him and get him to post a definitive answer. If it makes life easier Kevin, I will make sure I have the van again. If this makes the shuttle easier?!?

I will bring my Land Rover - it will just about take 6 boats on the rack and technically has seats for 10, but comfortably 6 with kit etc.

[Kevin Coombes]

I will sort out final arrangements tuesday (sorry nigel) i hope most of you will be there. I have seen the Bradford - Bathampton and i know simon has paddled it and it may be a little on the long distance side. I may look at a get out before bathampton.

[NigelSharpe]

OK - but there are not too many places to get out with road access. Or we could get in further downstream from Bradford, and still pick up the majority of weirs.

If I can help with the portage, then let me know.