Kent Meet August - Medway

[elveys]

With all the excellent work that has been carried out by the EA on the River Medway over the last year, what better excuse can there be for a Kent Meeting.

At the moment the last 2 weekends in August look favourable so I'm suggesting these as 2 possible dates for a get together:

Aug: 22/23
Aug 29/30 (Bank holiday weekend)

We can form a plan once we have an idea of who will be going but possibly Tonbridge to Yalding on Saturday and Yalding to Allington to Sunday would be a good split.

There's loads of info about the river, camping, etc on the Allington Lock website here

Easiest thing would be to add names and dates you can do and we'll see what the interest is. I understand Kent Canoes are looking to repeat their Meeting and are looking at these weekends as possible dates so I'll check with them and update if anything has been decided.

[busje303]

Aug 29/30 (Bank holiday weekend)

No holiday for us in Holland , but we have a free weekend.

So count us in if it is the weekend of aug 29/30. The other one we have to work....

Busje303 & Sissi.

[Touche]

Hiya John

I have an apache (paddled on a lake by me just once) that i would love to try out in front of a knowledgable audience instead of the kk that you have seen me in recently.
At the moment either weekend looks good so please stick my name down.
Possibly with the kids.

Adrian

[Matto]

Just back from the lakes on 28th, so heading away for the weekend mgiht be a bit much. Possibly join you Sunday though.

[wayne]

I will be paddling the Nahanni.

[mikemorini]

I will be paddling the Nahanni.

there's always someone who has to go one better.

Either weekend for me, but probably only one day.

Mike

[DanDan]

I'll be keeping an eye on this will depend on if we end up on family holiday somewhere that week.

[Mal Grey]

I'd quite like to join this for one day, so will keep an eye on the thread. Can't confirm at this stage, as both weekends have provisional plans on one or other day, but I should be able to do a day trip.

[Digger]

Hi Elveys,

The weekend of 22/23 would be very tempting to me.
Sunday afternoon I would have to leave early-ish for the chunnel though.

[Combat Frank]

Sounds good to me. At the moment either date suits me.

[slamdunk]

I will be paddling the Nahanni.

And you'd rather be there than the Medway? Not even a tiny bit envious

I'll keep an eye on the thread and see which date comes out - I can't make the later one though.

[elveys]

The Bank Holiday weekend looks like the better option as most people will have the Monday off.

For those who could make the 29/30, the original suggestion was 2 days to cover the Tonbridge to Allington stretches. Another suggestion was a 1 day meet on the 29th starting at Tonbridge and finishing at either Yalding, Wateringbury or Teston. People could then make their own decision about camping and paddling on the Sunday.

Perhaps those interested can say what they'd prefer and we can decide.

[ed bassett]

Sorry John,

I will be on the Bloodvein in Manitoba

[mikemorini]

Hi John
I'm happy to go along with the majority, but will only do one day. I notice one or two people seem to think that being in Canada is some sort of excuse for not turning up.

Mike

[yellowpark]

i'll have a look at coming along to one of the days. I'm not far from the mighty Medway. Planning to have a paddle on there this evening from behind Maidstone Canoe Club. August is free at the moment so flexible dates wise.

[busje303]

Hi, Sissi and I will join you that weekend.

Ferry is booked and we are looking forward to meet you.

Greetings, René.

[Digger]

The 29th I'll be heading to the Tarn again. Without a canoe this time but with my brand new Bell tent.

Have fun!

Erik.

[busje303]

Hi Erik,

Without a canoe

have fun!

René.

[Touche]

Hi John

I would prefer to have a two day trip and camp along the way.
Hopefully with both lads but I might have to drag along their KKs
to ensure they remain as well behaved as always .

Regards

Adrian

[kazbunny]

I have now 'made' myself free for that weekend!

A 2 day trip with some camping also sounds good to me...

I'll most likely come up on the Friday and camp 2 nights... wherever...

[andre]

Hope to meet you guys on at least one of the days.I take it that either a BCU sticker or a daily permit from Allington lock will be necessary?

[elveys]

Hope to meet you guys on at least one of the days.I take it that either a BCU sticker or a daily permit from Allington lock will be necessary?

Hi Andre,

Yes you will need one or the other. We were out this weekend and the EA guys were checking licenses at Yalding.

John

[elveys]

Looks like a 2 day affair then

How does the following sound?

Saturday 29th - Tonbridge to Yalding
Meet 10am at Tonbridge Slip Way. Aim to shuttle and be on the water for 11am.

Sunday 30th - Yalding to Allington Lock
Meet 10am at Yalding Canoe Platform. Aim to shuttle and be on the water for 11am.

The above takes in the full 31 km Medway Canoe Trail. All the information you'll need is on the new Medway Canoe Trail website here.

One additional bit of information, there is a temporary shower and toilet facility at Yalding which should still be there that weekend. This may be of interest to anyone thinking of camping at Yalding. To use the facility you need to purchase a key from the EA so I'll try and grab one over the next week or 2 so we have one available for the weekend.

Any other suggestions about timings, stretches etc welcome.

[joel]

I can't confirm yet, but would like to come along, depends of family commitments closer to the time. If I do it I will be camping.

Saturday 29th - Tonbridge to Yalding
Meet 10am at Tonbridge Slip Way. Aim to shuttle and be on the water for 11am.

Sunday 30th - Yalding to Allington Lock
Meet 10am at Tonbridge Slip Way. Aim to shuttle and be on the water for 11am.

Err.... plans for Sunday?

Joel

[elveys]

Hi Joel,

Would be good to see you there. Thanks for spotting my error, it was late! I've edited it with the correct details.

[sprite]

I'd love to come along for the trip although I'm totally new to this canoeing lark. Still last summer I built a canoe and I'm so keen to use it in anger as it were.
As long as the rainy season has gone through.

sprite

[elveys]

Kent Canoes are now linking their Social in with this weekend so there is also some additional info on their site here.

I'd love to come along for the trip although I'm totally new to this canoeing lark. Still last summer I built a canoe and I'm so keen to use it in anger as it were.
As long as the rainy season has gone through.

sprite

Welcome Sprite, sounds like an opportunity to christen the boat although I'm not sure I'd be able to wait that long! Why not post an intro in the Introductions section and some pics of your build.

[tisme]

HI
We would love to join this trip for both days. Is there a camp site (Or rough camping) near the river that people are staying at or do we have to shuttle cars to yalding and drive to a camp site?

Looking forward to meetig you all.

Pete & Lis

[elveys]

Not sure what others are planning but there is camping available at Yalding, the options are on the Medway Canoe Trail site.

I'd suggest drop the boat and gear off at Tonbridge Saturday morning and shuttle to Yalding and camp there. I live close by and have friends staying with us so we won't camp but I'm happy to help with shuttling etc.

Might also be worth checking with Estelle at Kent Canoes in case she knows if anyone else is intending on camping at the Marlin site at Yalding which needs to be organised in advance.

HI
We would love to join this trip for both days. Is there a camp site (Or rough camping) near the river that people are staying at or do we have to shuttle cars to yalding and drive to a camp site?

Looking forward to meetig you all.

Pete & Lis

[tisme]

Not sure what others are planning but there is camping available at Yalding, the options are on the Medway Canoe Trail site.

I'd suggest drop the boat and gear off at Tonbridge Saturday morning and shuttle to Yalding and camp there. I live close by and have friends staying with us so we won't camp but I'm happy to help with shuttling etc.

Might also be worth checking with Estelle at Kent Canoes in case she knows if anyone else is intending on camping at the Marlin site at Yalding which needs to be organised in advance.

Just called Estelle and booked us into the Marlin site where a few others have already book in. Not sure what we will do about cars but will work it out nearer the time.

Ta
Pete

[mikemorini]

bump, bumpty, bump bump

[mark steel]

Hi, would it be ok for me to join you on this paddle and if so do you have a contact number for the campsite, as it is a bit too far for me to travel each day, and cuts down on valuable eating and drinking time.
Cheers Mark

[elveys]

Hi Mark,

Glad you can make it. Give Estelle a ring at Kent Canoes as I think she may be sorting out camping arrangements at the Marlin site at Yalding. See you Saturday.

John

[tisme]

Info from Kent canoes web site

OPEN CANOEING SOCIAL WEEKEND

29th / 30th AUGUST

ON THE RIVER MEDWAY IN KENT

For those of you who missed our last open canoeing social paddle this is your opportunity to join us on our next social paddling weekend. Those of you who attended the last one please feel free to join us again. It was great to see lots of open canoes on the river and hopefully this time there will be more.

This paddle is a social event and a way to meet other fellow open canoeists, exchange tips and advice as well as paddling along the River Medway. Novices, intermediates and advanced are all welcome. You can join us just for the day or both days. You will need your own boat and equipment.

On Saturday we will be paddling downstream from Tonbridge to Yalding Weir, using the new canoe access points and shoots along the river.

Sunday we will be paddling downstream from Yalding Weir to Allington Lock in Maidstone.

Don't forget to bring a packed lunch though, a warm drink and a spare change of clothes!

Start / Finish Times:

Saturday 29th August - 10:00 am from the slip way behind the swimming pool and castle in Tonbridge. Aim to finish by 5pm or earlier.

Sunday 30th August - 10:00am from Yalding Weir canoe access point on Hemstead Lane and aim to finish by 5pm or earlier.

PARKING & CAMPING

Parking information and camping information can be found at www.medwaycanoetrail.co.uk .

SHUTTLE RUNS

As this trip is downriver and not a return journey, those who leave their cars at the start points will need to arrange a shuttle with friends or other paddlers to pick up their cars at the end of each day. Alternatively there is a Rail Station close to each finish point or you could take a taxi back.

To get directions and further information. Contact Estelle on 01732 886688

HAPPY PADDLING!

[TimeSpentInReconnaissance]

Love to come along for the Day 1. A bit apprehensive about having to get up early enough, though. Fortunately the stern paddler will not be the one doing drunken karaoke the night before.

[Mal Grey]

I'm intending to join you all for the Saturday paddle, & hoping I can share a shuttle in some way. If not, it'll be the Bank Holiday Railway schedule!!!

Looking forward to it,

Mal

[tisme]

I need to shuttle as well and so will others. I'm sure we can work it out sat morning.

Roll on sat
Pete

[CamperPhil]

Hi all,

Some photos of this weekend's meet. If you'd like the hi-res versions of any of these, just drop me a private message.

Great weekend! Thanks for organising Estelle.

Phil

[CamperPhil]

Link to photos of this weekend's meet... sorry, since I hadn't posted twice, I couldn't submit the link

http://picasaweb.google.co.uk/phil.c...eat=directlink

Phil

[yellowpark]

Thanks to all for a great trip and it was really good to meet you all.


Here is my write-up from the Medway paddle trip:

http://www.yellowpark.net/cdalby/ind...dway-paddling/

And photos here:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/yellowp...7622177556474/