Canoe camping.

mellman01

Well at last the sun is out so I have managed to get my Canadian canoe out of storage so I can prep it for the summer, had to make two handles as one of them had totally rotted out, I used a broom handle to knock a new pair up, it's still one of the hobbies I can manage to do just about, can't wait for the summer to get here I will go canoe camping down the Thames if I get the weather for it.
Nothing better than sitting out under the stars with a fire going and a can of cider to help me sleep!.

ninakang

Que?

Canoe camping, Mel? Tell us more! I refuse point-blank to do any form of camping, but this sounds interesting - do you sleep on the canoe?

Am a total novice, so sorry for asking stupid questions!

Nina X

valval

mellman01 wrote:

Well at last the sun is out so I have managed to get my Canadian canoe out of storage so I can prep it for the summer, had to make two handles as one of them had totally rotted out, I used a broom handle to knock a new pair up, it's still one of the hobbies I can manage to do just about, can't wait for the summer to get here I will go canoe camping down the Thames if I get the weather for it.
Nothing better than sitting out under the stars with a fire going and a can of cider to help me sleep!.

well i for one would end up doing eskimo roll lol been a while since been in a canoe not sure would get out these days enjoy it went from reading well just other side to near oxford the other year was great saw loads of wild life

mellman01

Hi Nina and Val, I always lauch from Donigton bridge at Oxford, there's a canoe club there so access is good, I take a tent food sleeping bag etc, I also take a saw and something to start a fire, I have a couple of spots that I like to use to camp on the way down, I only stay out for 1 night, start around 10am camp around 6, then strike out around 8-9am the next morning.
I then head for Wallingford and the wife picks us up from there, I also take fishing gear as I can get to places anglers can't, I have caught quite a few good size Chub on surface lures, sometimes I can get within a few yards of them before casting.
last year I took a cray fish trap and left it out all night,we had them for breakfast the next morning.
Yhe best thing about it is you get to see loads of wildlife, and your low in the water so it's like your in another world when there's no noe else about, the downside to it is pleasure boats, them come in groups all trying to get to the next lock and some have a certain level of distain towards us paddlers, funny thing though, even if Ihad the money for a gin palace I would still canoe, driving a boat is so boring, it's like driving a car in first gear down an aquatic road.

abfab1963

OK....a man truly at one with nature, Im sure that is just fab for you!

I am at one...with a comfortable hotel room, a fabulous restaurant and a large gin and tonic!!

Abfab
x

ninakang

Sounds great but I don't like to stray too far from my hair straighteners :-)

Nx

barbara12

Hi Mell it sounds wonderful, we used to go camping up on the moors, and add that to canoeing, I dont think I would get on with a canoe, but I can see where you are coming from.
barbara

mellman01

abfab1963 wrote:

OK....a man truly at one with nature, Im sure that is just fab for you!

I am at one...with a comfortable hotel room, a fabulous restaurant and a large gin and tonic!!

Abfab
x

HI Abfab and Barbara, don't get me wrong I like the good life but I just love the open space, the river has a natural slow pace about it, it's only us humans that charge about all the time, although I end up tired and sun burnt I feel totally refreshed inside,odd to explane really, if I had the money I would love to have a big house boat and live up near Oxford, as I love travaling through the city by boat when I do go camping. One thing I would change though is the plastic and general rubbish people throw in the Thames, after it floods each year the trees are full of the stuff,a daming enditment to how lazy and messy we are.

valval

been to wallingford lovely place have great time would not get up if slept on floor

joanlawson

When the weather is fine you know it's the time
For messin' about on the river
If you take my advice there's nothing so nice
As messin' about on the river



It sounds good fun, so I hope you enjoy it.

joyful164

Hi Mellman

I use to go canoe camping back in the mid 60's with my ex.
before we got married. We made the canoe between us. We had many a good time and then, when my son was 8, just before his first adventure camp away with the school, he was practicing on the river. He got to where one current met another fast one and rolled to canoe on purpose. When the canoe righted itself, he wasn't there. As you can guess, I panicked abit and so did his dad who went to dive in. But loe and behold, in came my son with a big smile on his face. He was a very good swimmer thank goodness.
If the river had been flooded, we wouldn't have gone near it, but it was fairly low. I do envy you, but then, I have Norway to look forward to now. So that will be my adventure this year.

We are not going in a normal car, our Citroen's Special Car, which looks like a Morgan is only a two seater and perhaps only as big as a canoe on wheels and quite close to the ground too.

Joy