Christmas Paddle
Sunday 17th was a cold, crisp December morning. We dragged ourselves out from under the duvet and peered through the curtains. The sky was blue, so we thought “Drat – even the weather won’t provide us with a get-out. Better have breakfast and get going.”
I expect similar thoughts went through the minds of many others, but by a little after 10am the second crowd of the day rapidly assembled at Newbury Wharf, to join a vast flock of swans and assorted other birds. What a sight!
Over the next hour or so, boats were decorated with tinsel, cars were shuttled to The Rowbarge Inn at Woolhampton, coffee was taken, and other essential functions fulfilled. Finally, at about 11:15 we were ready for the off. 29 bodies in 9 open canoes and 12 kayaks took off, heading downstream and into the winter sun. What a picture – young, not so young, experts and novices wearing an assortment of Santa hats and other colourful outfits with one purpose in mind – the pub at the other end, with the promise of hot mince pies and mulled wine on the way, just to keep us going!
We didn’t get very far before arriving at our first portage. The first lock was being refurbished, so out we got. We soon settled into the routine of helping one another lug the boats past the lock, and got back onto the water for the next leg. This pattern was to be repeated 8 times during the day, although we did manage to operate one lock.
The highlight of the day was the refreshment stop at Widmead lock. To the delight of the adults present, Marion’s mince pies and mulled wine were hot and tasty. The younger members seemed to prefer the Pringles, sweets, chocolate log, and soft drinks.
On the way pleasantries were exchanged with walkers on the tow path, and other sightseers who had paused at bridges. We probably even managed to get into some peoples’ photographs, although the train spotters with their telephoto lenses seemed determined to keep their cameras aimed towards the railway line.
Even the anglers were civil in most cases, although we did meet up with Mr Angry just below one lock. He was adamant that we were not going to paddle down the river, and that we should stay on the canal where we belonged. Those who had already launched on the river decided to continue, but those who were still on the bank decided not to inflame the situation and went down the canal instead. After all, the signs only said the fishing was private – they did not say nobody else could use the water for other purposes! Suffice to say we met up a little further downstream with nobody any the worse for the experience.
We continued on our way, with Midgham Church standing out on the left side and the railway line never far away, finally arriving at Woolhampton lock as the sun was setting (about 15:30). We portaged across to the pub car park where cars were loaded up in the gathering gloom. Unfortunately the refurbishment of the pub was a little behind schedule, and they were not going to be open for business until Tuesday! Rather than sit around for 2 more days, those in desperate need moved to the next hostelry down the road, and others headed for home, weary but satisfied with a days exercise in almost perfect weather.
Thanks to Marion for her planning and preparation (and for her information on where to get the best deal on mulled wine!).
Clive and Pam Pearce
17th December 2006
