Batty on the Wey
0
25
Originally, I'd planned to head for the Thames yesterday, but nobody love me, so it would have been a solo trip. Meanwhile, Stewart had arranged another trip on the Wey, and I reckoned a sneaky wild camp afterwards would be a fine alternative to the wooded slopes of the Thames. And I'd have some company.
First though, and confusingly for all fond of a simple narrative, an early finish from work on Friday led to a fabulous few hours in early evening, by the Hoe Stream and the Priory at sunset.
I should probably have camped out Friday night, for conditions were stunning, but had other plans. So, we move to the main event; another paddle on the Triggs Loop, this time with Stewart, Maj, Fay, Yvonne and Paul. Having blogged this once, twice or too often before, I'll leave it mostly to the photos.
Once again, conditions were utterly perfect, most of us wishing we'd worn thin short sleeved tops instead of long sleeved thermals...
This was very sociable paddling, at a very sociable pace.
Triggs Lock meant a bit of effort was about to be required...
And here, after a quick play in the overflow stream and halfway through the efforts of our portage, something flittered above our heads. It was about 11.30 in the morning, on a warm, sunny day. For some reason, a bat had decided "bugger this nightime hunting thing" and was flying around above the water just below the lock. It must be even more confused today, what with the clocks going forward last night too ;)
I am not sure, but suspect it to be a Daubenton's bat, as they're quite large and live by water. One of my more unusual wildlife sightings recently!
Excitement over, we completed our short portage and put in above the lock.
This is a lovely rural part of the navigation, where trees offer shade to the cattle as they drink.
The Crew of the Custard Coloured Canoe found a Custard Coloured (butter)Cup of the Marsh variety.
We continued onwards beneath the trees, then across more open terrain as we headed towards the weir portage at Broadoak Bridge.
That portage was quickly carried out, and we played for a while in the flow below.
There were a few opportunities for a little playing as we descended the first half mile or so of the backwater, until the flow lessened after the house at Three Fords.
A slow, gentle drift down towards the Big Dead Tree brought us to lunchtime in the meadow surrounding it.
Heading downstream after a relaxed break was still lovely, the summer-like conditions a joy to paddle in.
After being distracted by the New Inn for a while, Maj having gone on ahead, the group eventually arrived back at the Tannery. Here, Paul, Yvonne and Fay offloaded all their gear and carried boats to the cars. Stewart and I, though, did almost the opposite, fetching camping gear and bags of wood and carrying them down, with the boats, to the Broadmead Cut just below the navigation itself to save a later portage of Papercourt Lock. After saying our goodbyes, we headed off as the light faded towards evening.
We made our way to a grassy camp spot, different to my usual one, and set up at dusk. A little later Maj arrived, having been home to fetch his previously unused camping kit, for this was his first night camping! A spicyish Chinese and a choice of beer, wine or rum helped the evening round the firebox pass contentedly.
This morning, I woke up to the view of the river 2m from my tent, for I'd deliberately left both sides open (mesh remaining closed, no biters please).
And so another excellent 24 hours finished, as we rose fairly early so as to be gone before many people came out on to the meadows. Today is a little greyer, and the wind was cooling, but the paddle back to the Tannery was still a satisfying way to start the day, knowing we'd already enjoyed our weekend's little adventure, and still had the rest of the day ahead of us to relax.
First though, and confusingly for all fond of a simple narrative, an early finish from work on Friday led to a fabulous few hours in early evening, by the Hoe Stream and the Priory at sunset.
I should probably have camped out Friday night, for conditions were stunning, but had other plans. So, we move to the main event; another paddle on the Triggs Loop, this time with Stewart, Maj, Fay, Yvonne and Paul. Having blogged this once, twice or too often before, I'll leave it mostly to the photos.
Once again, conditions were utterly perfect, most of us wishing we'd worn thin short sleeved tops instead of long sleeved thermals...
This was very sociable paddling, at a very sociable pace.
Triggs Lock meant a bit of effort was about to be required...
And here, after a quick play in the overflow stream and halfway through the efforts of our portage, something flittered above our heads. It was about 11.30 in the morning, on a warm, sunny day. For some reason, a bat had decided "bugger this nightime hunting thing" and was flying around above the water just below the lock. It must be even more confused today, what with the clocks going forward last night too ;)
I am not sure, but suspect it to be a Daubenton's bat, as they're quite large and live by water. One of my more unusual wildlife sightings recently!
Excitement over, we completed our short portage and put in above the lock.
This is a lovely rural part of the navigation, where trees offer shade to the cattle as they drink.
The Crew of the Custard Coloured Canoe found a Custard Coloured (butter)Cup of the Marsh variety.
We continued onwards beneath the trees, then across more open terrain as we headed towards the weir portage at Broadoak Bridge.
That portage was quickly carried out, and we played for a while in the flow below.
There were a few opportunities for a little playing as we descended the first half mile or so of the backwater, until the flow lessened after the house at Three Fords.
A slow, gentle drift down towards the Big Dead Tree brought us to lunchtime in the meadow surrounding it.
Heading downstream after a relaxed break was still lovely, the summer-like conditions a joy to paddle in.
After being distracted by the New Inn for a while, Maj having gone on ahead, the group eventually arrived back at the Tannery. Here, Paul, Yvonne and Fay offloaded all their gear and carried boats to the cars. Stewart and I, though, did almost the opposite, fetching camping gear and bags of wood and carrying them down, with the boats, to the Broadmead Cut just below the navigation itself to save a later portage of Papercourt Lock. After saying our goodbyes, we headed off as the light faded towards evening.
We made our way to a grassy camp spot, different to my usual one, and set up at dusk. A little later Maj arrived, having been home to fetch his previously unused camping kit, for this was his first night camping! A spicyish Chinese and a choice of beer, wine or rum helped the evening round the firebox pass contentedly.
This morning, I woke up to the view of the river 2m from my tent, for I'd deliberately left both sides open (mesh remaining closed, no biters please).
And so another excellent 24 hours finished, as we rose fairly early so as to be gone before many people came out on to the meadows. Today is a little greyer, and the wind was cooling, but the paddle back to the Tannery was still a satisfying way to start the day, knowing we'd already enjoyed our weekend's little adventure, and still had the rest of the day ahead of us to relax.