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The First Signs of Autumn on the Canal

The First Signs of Autumn on the Canal

27K3,045
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27K3,045

    Oct 20, 2014#1

    A late Sunday afternoon paddle from Winchfield Hurst.


    The wind was pretty strong yesterday, so sheltered waters were needed. In my part of the world, that means the Basingstoke Canal. Again :).






    I simply repeated my favourite bit - Barley Mow wharf to Colt Hill Wharf, Odiham. Whilst the wind reached me at times, for most of the time the trees blocked it nicely, and there were long sections of still water to enjoy. My usual pace was adopted, one where drifting and gazing played as strong a part as stroking and ruddering.












    The Hall of Trees lacks the ancient overhanging beams of its former, pre-tree-felling, glory, but it remains a peaceful and pleasant place to sit for a few minutes and contemplate the sounds of the woodland.









    A brief battle with a capricious wind, which came from the front, the side and behind all in the space of about 300 yards, and I passed beneath the next bridge, the gateway to more sheltered woodlands. Here the water was perfectly still, and here all the leaves had gathered.















    Just a few walkers and cyclists came past me, many of them expressing jealousy of how peaceful my paddle looked.






    The Basingstoke Niagara was softly gurgling.






    A mile or so later, as the distance sound of traffic grew closer, I approached Odiham in the sunlight.






    At Colt Hill Wharf I had a rest and a bite to eat, next to the newly built Basingstoke and Deane Canoe Club building.






    It was time to return, almost as slowly as I'd come.






    A rare sight. A family actually using one of the pretty ancient old hire canoes from Galleon Marine. They were having a great time and paddling pretty well.






    The leaves and bracken are now turning, and whilst the full colour is not yet there in the trees, most of the bracken has turned to copper and brown.









    Where the wind had teased me on my outward paddle, a mirror now awaited me.









    The soft light of early evening bathed the brickwork in its warm glow.









    The horse at the Old Thatch is still hungry.






    A white dragon also grazed nearby.









    Just a few quiet yards remained and I was back at Barley Mow bridge, after a most serene paddle.









    I made a final diversion on the way home, to catch the dying sun over Ash ranges.


    SMopencanoePaddler,blogger,camper,pyromaniac:

    Blog: Wilderness is a State of Mind

    Paddle Points - where to paddle

    104
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    104

      Oct 20, 2014#2

      Excellent ! Thanks for posting.

      102
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      102

        Oct 20, 2014#3

        Totally beautiful and inspiring. I will do that one day.
        You are right. I am old but your music really does suck and please pull your jeans up.

        739
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        739

          Oct 20, 2014#4

          Very serene, very peaceful - Autumntastic!

          Most excellent camera wrangling (again!) it's difficult to pick a favourite pic.
          There's a Bluebird in my heart

          3,67247
          Member
          3,67247

            Oct 20, 2014#5

            Lots of good shots.. but these two still stand out:





            Inspiring stuff :)
            Posting as Singleblade - Declaring interests re. Silverbirch Canoes, British Canoeing, and lots else!

            91

              Oct 21, 2014#6

              More stunning photos Mal...there's a few in there that should make it into the SotP Photo Comp...Autumn has been unusually spectacular this year, 'though I fear the winds we have woken to today will put the kaleidoscope of colours to bed...bare & wintry trees tomorrow...embellished albeit with a multicoloured carpet.

              Jude
              As the waters live & breathe upon which we are borne,
              So too do the woods from which our paddles find form.


              www.downcreekpaddles.com

              27K3,045
              Contributing Member
              27K3,045

                Oct 21, 2014#7

                Thanks folks
                GregandGinaS wrote:Lots of good shots.. but these two still stand out:

                Inspiring stuff :)
                Yeah, the bridge is probably my favourite of that bunch.


                DownCreekPaddles wrote:More stunning photos Mal...there's a few in there that should make it into the SotP Photo Comp...Autumn has been unusually spectacular this year, 'though I fear the winds we have woken to today will put the kaleidoscope of colours to bed...bare & wintry trees tomorrow...embellished albeit with a multicoloured carpet.

                Jude
                Thanks Jude. I don't tend to enter photos without a canoe/tent/paddle etc in them, as I tend to think that the comp should be about the spirit of canoeing as much as them being nice piccies.Its a best Song of the Paddle photo comp, not the best photo comp. Annoyingly this means I end up excluding many of my favourite photos!

                Autumn colours are only just happening here. Heading north at the weekend, but suspect the wind will have removed most of the foliage now!
                SMopencanoePaddler,blogger,camper,pyromaniac:

                Blog: Wilderness is a State of Mind

                Paddle Points - where to paddle

                5,45611
                Member
                5,45611

                  Oct 21, 2014#8

                  Another cracking blog: lyrically and pictorially impressive! ;)
                  Juvanile delinkwit, vaguely faffing around with a pair of pliers. Du skal ikke tro at du er bedre end mig!

                  778202
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                  778202

                    Oct 21, 2014#9

                    Brightened my lunchbreak as the storm rages against the office window.

                    Thanks

                    Nick

                    1,1651
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                    1,1651

                      Oct 21, 2014#10

                      Excellent. As soon as Hurricane Gonalez passes through I'm hoping for an Autumn Canal paddle.

                        Oct 21, 2014#11

                        Mal Grey wrote:Thanks folks
                        Thanks Jude. I don't tend to enter photos without a canoe/tent/paddle etc in them, as I tend to think that the comp should be about the spirit of canoeing as much as them being nice piccies.Its a best Song of the Paddle photo comp, not the best photo comp. Annoyingly this means I end up excluding many of my favourite photos!
                        I agree Mal. Looking at the entries so far I see some potential winners but probably wouldn't get my vote as they don't include a canoe.

                        529
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                        529

                          Oct 21, 2014#12

                          Luverly!!! I might have to take a trip up there with the kids next week,,, weather permitting. I've got a few days leave to use up before I loose them. Damn fine pictures as usual Mal.
                          Who's been sleeping in my porridge???:mad:

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                          9

                            Oct 21, 2014#13

                            Excellent as all ways Mal

                            6,0511,094
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                            6,0511,094

                              Oct 21, 2014#14

                              Marvelous photos Mal, you really caught the essence of the season.
                              Big Al.

                              Only when the last tree has died
                              and the last river been poisoned
                              and the last fish been caught
                              will we realise we cannot eat money.
                              ~Cree Indian Proverb

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                              2,929

                                Oct 22, 2014#15

                                I vote on this entire blogg as Best Picture of 2014!!!
                                Tony BR
                                www.companhiadecanoagem.com.br
                                www.canoacanadense.com.br/english.htm
                                Past 20 years teaching Biology!
                                Next 20 building Canoes!!!

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                                207

                                  Oct 25, 2014#16

                                  Superb photos and just my sort of paddle!! :nice_hat: