We all arrived at the Boathouse Farm camp site on Friday afternoon and evening. Luckily the rain held off so we were all able to get our tents set up relatively easily. Biggles and Julian went part way up the river on a recce mission and reported back that everything looked fine for Saturday’s trip apart from a few overgrown sections we’d have to navigate through.
In the evening there were silly games around the camp fire involving having to pick ever smaller bits of cardboard up off the floor with your teeth. No idea who thought of that one but it was fairly typical CVCC fare!!
On Saturday we had the main event – a kayak and SUP trip to Isfield Weir and back. We set off at about 10 am to wind our way 2 and a half miles along the upper reaches of the Ouse. This is such a small and gentle part of the river that you automatically find yourself going real slow. This made for a very relaxing and tranquil paddle – and we weren’t in any rush in any case.
The route took us past a mixture of open farmland and lots of shaded sections, paddling under a beautiful canopy of trees with gnarled roots all along the bank. There were lots of damsel flies and some cows and some people thought they also spotted a kingfisher. As expected there were some overgrown bits which were slightly tricky but nothing major – although Biggles did have to get his saw out at one point to clear a path through some fallen branches.
There were also a few fallen trees that required a bit of limbo dancing and other contortions to get under. We all got past those okay on the way upstream but they were the cause of one capsize and another near miss (yours truly) on the way back!!
We stopped for a picnic at Isfield Weir, where Duncan also bravely took his boat over the weir itself. You certainly wouldn’t ever see me trying that!! We left our boats on a small mud beach and found a lovely spot nearby where there was a disused lock that was closed in 1860 according to the adjacent information board. A perfect place for a spot of lunch.
By the time we got back to the camp site it was nearly 3 pm as we had gone at a really leisurely pace. Quite a few people stayed on the river and went for a quick paddle downstream to the Anchor Inn while the rest of us went for a cup of tea and rest.
In the evening we went for a very pleasant stroll up to Isfield village and had a meal at the Laughing Fish – which was great. Back at the campsite there were more silly games around the campfire, which was definitely needed as it got distinctly chilly. On the agenda this time was a game of ‘Crimes Against Humanity’ which, I have to say, some people enjoyed a little too much if you ask me!! It was quite a long game and took me way past my bedtime but it was all good fun.
On Sunday morning some intrepid souls went for another paddle at crack of dawn. I missed that though as they were already back by the time I woke up. After breakfast we all started packing up – which is always my least favourite part of a trip – but we had plenty of time so it wasn’t too bad. My lift arrived just as I’d packed the last bag so that was perfect timing.
All in all it was another fabulous trip with beautiful paddling, expertly led by Biggles and Simon with help from Duncan, and wonderful company. You really couldn’t ask for much more – except maybe a bit more sunshine!!
You can watch a short video of the paddle to Isfield Weir here. There is also an extended video, which you can watch here.
