http://www.songofthepaddle.co.uk/forum/ The web site and forum for all canoe users who hear the Song of the Paddle. The siren call that draws us to the waterways in our open canoes to explore, travel, camp and enjoy. en Thu, 17 May 2012 08:08:35 GMT vBulletin 60 http://www.songofthepaddle.co.uk/forum/images/misc/rss.png http://www.songofthepaddle.co.uk/forum/ http://www.songofthepaddle.co.uk/forum/showthread.php?35662-Mad-river-14tt-or-Venture-prospector-15&goto=newpost Thu, 17 May 2012 07:13:25 GMT I have been looking for a new canoe , and narrowed it down to these 2 . Which one would you buy mad river 14tt or venture propector 15 ? I have been looking for a new canoe , and narrowed it down to these 2 .
Which one would you buy mad river 14tt or venture propector 15 ? ]]> Gear gingerkayaker http://www.songofthepaddle.co.uk/forum/showthread.php?35662-Mad-river-14tt-or-Venture-prospector-15 http://www.songofthepaddle.co.uk/forum/showthread.php?35661-Questions-about-sailing-parenting-life-in-general-and-a-little-canoeing&goto=newpost Thu, 17 May 2012 06:44:32 GMT I love to be on the water in the canoe with my wife and kids. My wife loves it also, although she has some frustrations. My 11 year old daughter... I love to be on the water in the canoe with my wife and kids. My wife loves it also, although she has some frustrations. My 11 year old daughter would rather be out with her friends on their motorboat. She loves time with her family for sure, but she is not digging the canoe. She's rather be tubing behind a speeding boat, wind and waves whipping her face. The heat of summer is approaching, the rivers have dried up, the bugs are everywhere. The edge of the lake is mosquito infested. The middle of the lake is perfect, but no place for an open canoe with the speedboaters and party bargers zipping around.

My 20 month old son doesn't know what he wants, but he's damn determined to do everything. Including jumping into the water from the canoe, and throwing everything from the canoe overboard. This means my wife is trying to wrangle him, and I'm paddling the whole mess from the stern trying to keep everyone happy. My son is so different from my daughter. She was (still is) such a quiet, well behaved, polite little girl. My son is completely opposite, and according to my parents, exactly like I was as a kid. He is loud, rough, tough, hard-headed, stubborn, won't take anyone's help, won't listen to anything. He wants to do everything by himself, but doesn't know enough words to express exactly what he wants, so he gets frustrated. Oh he's a happy boy most of the time, as long as he is running wild, but he can't do that in the canoe. He is the most loved little boy in the world, but even papa will admit he can be a might trying.

I know absolutely nothing about sailing, never even been on any type of sailboat. I was out at the marina the other day, and just happened to walk by a slip full of sailboats. Wow, pretty impressive rigs! I started thinking about the glory and romance of the open water, the big sail, the wind in your face, the toddler safely napping in the cabin below. A plan started to come together. I should just buy one of these things. So I start looking around, visit a local sailboat shop (I don't know the lingo). It sounds like about a 19 - 21 ft cabin crusier would be just perfect for this family. That's a pretty big boat, with a near 30 foot tall mast. I don't know how to sail, could I even get it out on the water? There is a sailing club here I could join. I really never thought I would want to own anything that big. We are a simple family, we own a small cottage built in 1911. We bought it as a fixer upper, and we're still fixing it up, but hey, it's paid for. We drive if we have to, but try to bicycle everywhere. We try to keep our lives uncluttered. A sailboat sounds like it could be quite an encumbrance. The wind in your sails is free though. And what a symbol of freedom.

The more I talked to my wife about it, the more she likes the idea. I'm 40, she is 30, we have talked about what to do after our kids are gone. We don't want to stay where we are forever, we'd like to travel more. We hatched the crazy idea to live on a boat. Is that possible? At our age, can we learn enough about sailing that in 20 years we could buy a bigger boat and live aboard it on a coast somewhere?

Then I thought, maybe I should just buy a sailing rig for the canoe and see if we enjoy that. Just muddle through this rough period with the kids, soon the boy will be old enough to handle himself, and maybe the girl will enjoy canoe sailing?

Any thoughts are welcome. ]]> Canoe Sailing and Sailing Canoes plainsman http://www.songofthepaddle.co.uk/forum/showthread.php?35661-Questions-about-sailing-parenting-life-in-general-and-a-little-canoeing http://www.songofthepaddle.co.uk/forum/showthread.php?35660-Sun-20-may-paddle-Ayrshire-renfrewshire&goto=newpost Wed, 16 May 2012 21:55:22 GMT Hi there
does anyone fancy a paddle on Sunday, I'm new to canoeing and looking for a day out ideas welcome for possible destinations I'm based in dalry

Cheers

Ian ]]> Meetings / Trips / Social Ianmcalindon http://www.songofthepaddle.co.uk/forum/showthread.php?35660-Sun-20-may-paddle-Ayrshire-renfrewshire http://www.songofthepaddle.co.uk/forum/showthread.php?35659-Newbie-from-Suffolk&goto=newpost Wed, 16 May 2012 20:09:26 GMT Hi guys, I'm Richard from Stowmarket. I'm brand new to this, and am looking forward to enjoying my new found freedom. Have toyed with the idea for some time. However, I have finally bitten the bullet and purchased my first craft this week. Would be great to hear from others, with any ideas for local clubs or meets.
:swimmer::nice_hat::canoe: ]]> Introductions Richy289467 http://www.songofthepaddle.co.uk/forum/showthread.php?35659-Newbie-from-Suffolk http://www.songofthepaddle.co.uk/forum/showthread.php?35658-Dorset-sea-paddling&goto=newpost Wed, 16 May 2012 18:05:26 GMT I went down to Dorset knowing the weather wasn't going to be too good, camped at Woodyhyde camp site and next morning set off for Poole harbour to the peninsula west of the entrance. The wind was fairly strong as I was getting the boat off the car, but when I dragged it through the sand dunes to the water, I realised that it was blowing a lot harder than I expected. I paddled for about 45 minutes with waves breaking over the front of my boat, and only got about a third of the way to Brownsea island. I tried to get a photo, but the moment I stopped paddling, I found myself going backwards quite quickly, so I gave up. I then headed to Swanage for a look, but again the wind was too strong so I gave up.
The next day I was up at 5am and on the water at Swanage at 6, as the weather is usually calmer that time of day, and I was not disappointed
[IMG][/IMG]

I went past the pier and round Durlston Head
[IMG][/IMG]

and on round the coast
[IMG][/IMG]

and on past Tilly Whim Caves
[IMG][/IMG]

[IMG][/IMG]

then carried on towards Kimmeridge. At this point I realised the paddling was a bit too easy, as I had a reasonably strong current to go with, so I turned round and after a bit of hard paddling, scuttled back to the safety of Swanage! a very enjoyable trip. ]]> Blogg Charlie KMQ http://www.songofthepaddle.co.uk/forum/showthread.php?35658-Dorset-sea-paddling http://www.songofthepaddle.co.uk/forum/showthread.php?35657-Bridgenorth-to-Hampton-Loade-Weds-23rd-May&goto=newpost Wed, 16 May 2012 17:19:27 GMT I've been invited by Mangy Mutt to paddle this section of the river Severn next Wednesday, meeting at 10am, doing a shuttle, then back to put in at Bridgenorth as soon as we can.
As well as joining her for a social paddle, I'm going for the tuition as well.
Would anyone in the area ( or not from the area like me ) care to join us ?? :) ]]> Meetings / Trips / Social OLD MAN http://www.songofthepaddle.co.uk/forum/showthread.php?35657-Bridgenorth-to-Hampton-Loade-Weds-23rd-May http://www.songofthepaddle.co.uk/forum/showthread.php?35656-What-Sea-Kayak-to-build&goto=newpost Wed, 16 May 2012 16:42:56 GMT I am going to build a Sea kayak (stitch and glue) but what one ? I want it to be stable,large enough to carry camping equipment ect, and be able to... I am going to build a Sea kayak (stitch and glue) but what one ? I want it to be stable,large enough to carry camping equipment ect, and be able to tackle rough water as well as turn easily, think River Thames at Southend on Sea. Any ideas ??:D ]]> Self build Canoes grey owl 1 http://www.songofthepaddle.co.uk/forum/showthread.php?35656-What-Sea-Kayak-to-build http://www.songofthepaddle.co.uk/forum/showthread.php?35655-Pyranha-ranger-16-in-Burnt-Orange-Merseyside&goto=newpost Wed, 16 May 2012 16:40:32 GMT Ex centre Boat with the usual marks of a well used boat. The ends are in good condition more the underside from launching/landing as has been mainly... Ex centre Boat with the usual marks of a well used boat. The ends are in good condition more the underside from launching/landing as has been mainly used on deep lakes for training and 'fun' sessions.

Dimensions are 490cm(16'1") x 90cm(2'11") Weight 35kg (77lbs) apx.

2 x cane webbing seats, swim/painter lines bow and stern.

Viewing welcome in Southport Merseyside PR8

Looking for offers around £400

I have 2 identical of these for sale

http://i1142.photobucket.com/albums/...IMGP3498-1.jpg

http://i1142.photobucket.com/albums/...9/IMGP3495.jpg

http://i1142.photobucket.com/albums/...9/IMGP3497.jpg

http://i1142.photobucket.com/albums/...IMGP3496-1.jpg

Any questions or more photos required or to arrange to view please pm.


Thanks Mike ]]> Members Classifieds miket59 http://www.songofthepaddle.co.uk/forum/showthread.php?35655-Pyranha-ranger-16-in-Burnt-Orange-Merseyside http://www.songofthepaddle.co.uk/forum/showthread.php?35654-Roof-Bars-Toyota-Auris-5-door&goto=newpost Wed, 16 May 2012 15:38:39 GMT Roof bars for sale for Toyota Auris 5 door, 1 year old good condition cost £170 new, looking for offers around £35 and can deliver 30 miles from... Roof bars for sale for Toyota Auris 5 door, 1 year old good condition cost £170 new, looking for offers around £35 and can deliver 30 miles from Newcastle-upon-Tyne or 30 miles from Stone, Staffordshire. Got well mucked up on ebay - buyer wanted me to DHL them to Slovenia (or more likely - my bank account details!). ]]> Members Classifieds nigelphoto http://www.songofthepaddle.co.uk/forum/showthread.php?35654-Roof-Bars-Toyota-Auris-5-door http://www.songofthepaddle.co.uk/forum/showthread.php?35653-Ride-with-a-Twist&goto=newpost Wed, 16 May 2012 09:34:08 GMT Anyone fancy a go on this.



What's the worst theme park ride you've been on ? (or best depending on your view)
I'm a bit of a SMdchicken where these things are concerned.
I simply don't trust them. ]]> Off Topic Ratty http://www.songofthepaddle.co.uk/forum/showthread.php?35653-Ride-with-a-Twist http://www.songofthepaddle.co.uk/forum/showthread.php?35652-Dogpaddle-in-the-Churnet-Valley&goto=newpost Tue, 15 May 2012 22:22:41 GMT Follow the link for further adventures with doglet & Fiona .....

http://www.potteriespaddlers.co.uk/h...don_canal.html ]]> Blogg Potty Paddler http://www.songofthepaddle.co.uk/forum/showthread.php?35652-Dogpaddle-in-the-Churnet-Valley http://www.songofthepaddle.co.uk/forum/showthread.php?35651-Loch-Maree-12th-13th-and-14th-April-2012-(-Lotsa-pics-)-part-2&goto=newpost Tue, 15 May 2012 21:24:22 GMT The next morning there was a strong wind from the north west, so I decided to paddle around the southern side of the islands and try to get to see... The next morning there was a strong wind from the north west, so I decided to paddle around the southern side of the islands and try to get to see the “islands on an island” on [/FONT][/SIZE]Eilean Subhainn, before going to the group of islands to the north of Garbh Eilean to spend the night there.

On the way, one bay reminded me of bays that I’d seen in Mediterranean, with pine trees growing down to a sandy beach above crystal clear water.



The easiest way to the islands on an island was to enter what seemed to be a lochan on the south of Eilean Subhainn, but what was as it turned out a very sheltered bay with a narrow, shallow entrance.





I pulled the canoe up onto the shore at the northern end of this bay and started walking towards the islands on an island.





It was rough going, waist high heather over very uneven ground interspersed with bog, and as I got nearer, the bog was quite extensive and had killed some quite mature trees.



As on other islands that I visited, there was lots of deer sign around here, but I didn’t see any on this trip.



After I had taken a few pics of the islands on an island, I retraced my steps back to the canoe.





I continued along the southern side of the islands, exploring the bays and inlets, noting places to camp if I ever returned here.



As I passed my first night’s campsite



and entered the narrows between Garbh Eilean and Eilean Subhainn,



I was hit by the wind for the first time. It was a very stiff paddle through the narrows,



and I was pleased to get to the north eastern end of Garbh Eilean and find some shelter. Whilst I explored these islands to the north of Garbh Eilean[SIZE=2], wherever there was a crossing exposed to the wind there was what appeared to be a very fast flowing river between the islands.



Once you started to cross there was no stopping or I would just get blown back to where I started. Fortunately there were no long crossings, and the whitecaps out on the open loch didn’t make it into the narrow channels.

I stopped in several places amongst these islands to find a place to camp,





but the only good places were exposed to the north west wind. I decided to return to the sheltered Mediterranean bay that I’d passed earlier, and with the wind at my back through the channels I was soon back there.



It also gave me the option of easily taking the shortest crossing back to the southern shore if it was still windy in the morning. This would have given me the safest, but longest paddle back to the car in a high wind.

I soon unloaded the canoe and hung the hammock.



Again, there was plenty of firewood to be had, and I had the leisure to light the fire using the fatwood again.





was soon set up and relaxing beside the fire. The wood around here was so resinous, it dripped from the fire.



I had a lovely evening by the fire, but it felt a bit colder than previous nights.





It hadn’t been dark very long when it started to snow,



so I took that as a sign to get an early night so that I could get a good start in the ( hopefully ) morning calm.

The early night worked a treat, and I was up with the larks to see the snow covered mountains and calm loch.









The firewood did not want to be extinguished, even when dunked in the loch, and it gave off bubbles of smoke when immersed.



I had a quick bite to eat, packed up and was on the water before the wind decided to change its mind. As it was calm, I took a more direct route back to the car and arrived there after a pleasant paddle over calm water.



I was pleased that I’d got the early start though, as the wind had picked up considerably by the time that I’d loaded the car and set off. All that remained now was the seven hour drive back to Cumbria.

[FONT=Arial]Ps, apologies for the number of pics of Slioch, but it dominates the loch and in the conditions that I had, its mood always seemed to change.

Cheers, Michael. ]]> Blogg The Cumbrian. http://www.songofthepaddle.co.uk/forum/showthread.php?35651-Loch-Maree-12th-13th-and-14th-April-2012-(-Lotsa-pics-)-part-2 http://www.songofthepaddle.co.uk/forum/showthread.php?35650-Loch-Maree-12th-13th-and-14th-April-2012-(-Lotsa-pics-)-part-1&goto=newpost Tue, 15 May 2012 21:22:39 GMT I had a meeting in Penrith on 12th April, and the forecast had been steadily improving all week, so I decided to head north and take a trip to Loch... I had a meeting in Penrith on 12^th April, and the forecast had been steadily improving all week, so I decided to head north and take a trip to Loch Maree. I was packed the previous night, and I picked the canoe up on my way to the meeting, and the canoe on my car raised a few eyebrows when I arrived. The meeting seemed to drag on forever, but eventually it was over, so I filled the car up ( for the first of three fill-ups on this trip ) and set off.[/FONT]
The drive wasn’t as bad as I thought it would be, and I was able to pick a map up at Tiso’s in Perth, which is just off the A9. The A9 is a very scenic road, and I saw lots of wildlife. Unfortunately most of it was dead, This must be the roadkill capital of Britain. I saw dead deer, foxes, badgers and literally thousands of dead birds ( mostly pheasants, who obviously haven’t evolved fast enough to escape their four wheeled predators ).
I arrived quite late at The Loch Maree Hotel to ask if I could park there, but it was obviously being refurbished and there was no-one around to ask, so I parked at Slattadale car park and got on the water as fast as I could in the gathering dusk.





I had contacted Scottish Natural Heritage beforehand, and the only island that they wanted me to avoid landing on was Eilean Ruairidh Mor. With the strong wind however, I had to paddle towards this island to gain its shelter before turning back towards the other islands and finding the first night’s campsite. In the shelter of the islands it was very calm,







and I made good progress, but even so, it was just before dark that I found a beach with suitable trees for my hammock. I collected some driftwood for my fire first though, as the weather looked good, and I find it easier to put my hammock and tarp up by headtorch than collect firewood. Once I was sorted out I relaxed around the fire for a while and had some food and a few drinks before heading for the hammock. It took me quite a while to get to sleep though, as I still had lots of caffeine flowing through me from all the energy drinks I had consumed on the drive up.

I had a lie in the next morning, and only got out of the hammock when forced to by my bladder. After breakfast of oarcakes, squeezy jam and raisins washed down with coffee,







and packing up, I had a little look around my part of the island, collecting some fatwood on the way.



Almost all of the wood that I found was resinous to some degree, lots of it very much so. This made for very hot but smoky fires. When I got home, I thought that I’d got a good tan, but on closer inspection I discovered that I’d been varnished by the resinous smoke.
When I eventually got going, I paddled through the narrows between Garbh Eilean and Eilean Subhainn, and then went east, exploring the islets and bays as I went along.













I could see some heavy showers passing further up and down the loch, but I was only caught in one, so I took shelter in the trees of a pleasant sandy bay.





Once the shower passed,



I continued towards the burial island of Isle Maree, and stopped for a look around there.



It’s very different in character from the other islands, with it’s broad leaved trees and without the waist – high heather which is prevalent elsewhere. I had a wander around here for a while,





and left my own twopenneth in the money tree





before I left to have a look at a likely looking bay on Eilean Eachainn where I hoped to spend the night. I crossed over, and it turned out to be an excellent campsite, with a fairly sheltered spot for my hammock, and lots of driftwood on the beach. After this little reconnaissance I went off to explore around the rest of the islands at this end of the group. It was around here that I caught my only glimpse of the Black Throated Divers, and a couple of not very good photographs.





I was first alerted to their presence by a weird gurgling noise, but this and a few little chirrups stopped as I approached. I sat still in the water watching them for about five minutes before I paddled away from them, not wanting to get too close and disturb them. On the way back to my campsite I meandered around the rest of the small islands in the area, landing occasionally to check out potential campsites, but none was better than the one that I had already found.



Although I’ve only ever seen photo’s of the Canadian Shield country, I think that these islands are the closest that I’ve seen in the UK to what they have over in Canada.

I had a very comfortable camp that night, having more time to prepare than the previous one.





My hammock was strung in the shelter of the trees,



and another tarp was spread over my canoe and poles near the fire in case of a shower.



I had more time to prepare the fire, so I lit it using only some fatwood scrapings and shavings, and my firesteel.
As the evening was drawing on, I saw a couple of lads in what appeared to be inflatable canoes pass by to the south of Eilean Subhainn, but I never saw them again. I had a leisurely dinner watching the showers chase each other away to the west, [/SIZE]as I was sat warming my feet by the fire with a drink in my hand.


[SIZE=2]










before they cleared with the dusk and Venus appeared



As the fire was built on shingle, it took some putting out in the morning. Several pan fulls of water later, the steam finally stopped.

]]> Blogg The Cumbrian. http://www.songofthepaddle.co.uk/forum/showthread.php?35650-Loch-Maree-12th-13th-and-14th-April-2012-(-Lotsa-pics-)-part-1 http://www.songofthepaddle.co.uk/forum/showthread.php?35649-Download-picture-practice&goto=newpost Tue, 15 May 2012 20:55:27 GMT Some one I met on the Doggy Paddle !Image: http://i1165.photobucket.com/albums/q597/canoeguru1/P5130081.jpg Some one I met on the Doggy Paddle ! ]]> General Dave Perry http://www.songofthepaddle.co.uk/forum/showthread.php?35649-Download-picture-practice http://www.songofthepaddle.co.uk/forum/showthread.php?35648-Greetings-from-across-the-pond!&goto=newpost Tue, 15 May 2012 20:43:23 GMT Wanted to take a moment to introduce myself as I have a few minutes at work to spare and can think of nothing better than to talk about paddling and... Wanted to take a moment to introduce myself as I have a few minutes at work to spare and can think of nothing better than to talk about paddling and get paid for it! SMwhistle

So as to not make anyone read an entire biography (not that ya would), let me give you the short version. My name is Joshua, but everyone calls me Shua SMbanghead, can't get them to stop. Grew up in Pennsylvania where my Dad instilled in me the joy of canoeing at an early age. Move to Texas at age 15 and have been here ever since. I have been canoeing all my life and can't imagine living without it. Have paddled a few boats in my short time here on our blue planet, but have had my NC16 SP3 for the past 2 yrs and as other have said on this site, would marry her if my wife would allow it! In my spare time, which is few and far between with three little ones, I also help fellow paddlers in my area outfit their boats. Just love to see a plain jane canoe morph into a customized creation that suites it's owner :D. Strange thing is I found this site through a search for a project I was working on and loved the wealth of information housed here.

That's about it. Thanks to those who run/maintain this site and for those of you that contribute to it. Can't wait to dip my paddle in and see where it goes!

Cheers,

Shua ]]> Introductions Shua http://www.songofthepaddle.co.uk/forum/showthread.php?35648-Greetings-from-across-the-pond!