Sunday’s Severn Saga
After several weeks and four thread pages of pre-trip discussion and debate (a record?) we finally arrived at the rendezvous in Ironbridge at 9.30am. The 28 or so initial attendees seemed to be arriving a little late as there were only five of us – Dave B (the organiser), Mike (2527252725272527), Apache George, my brother and me. We decided to go ahead with the shuttle to save time and expected to see at least the brave camping souls on our return –but there were no more takers! Surprising really as, despite the forecasts, it was dry and calm.
[/URL][/IMG]
There was a bit of a search to find coins for the car park –Mike claimed to be searching for 50p but I’m not sure he found anything in there……
[/URL][/IMG]
We set off close to the beautiful power station cooling towers, now even cooler as the site had apparently closed last week.
[/URL][/IMG]
A lovely run down through Ironbridge and under the eponymous bridge.
[/URL][/IMG]
Below the village there was a large sign indicating that construction works on the river banks were ongoing…..
[/URL][/IMG]
…… and on down to Jackfield which had a few nice bouncy waves.
[/URL][/IMG]
[/URL][/IMG]
More pretty bridges and a myriad of pubs.
[/URL][/IMG]
Another potential venue for a Halloween meet?
[/URL][/IMG]
The river had a good steady flow (quite boiley), so progress was good and paddling was optional!
[/URL][/IMG]
If any of you were inspired by the recent Grand Designs programme on building a home inside a sandstone cave, here is another opportunity.
[/URL][/IMG]
We stopped in a nice grassy field for sandwiches and stollen, an experience only marred by a couple of skids down the muddy bank. There was some reflection on absent friends – in particular we missed one of Mark’s freshly made chip butties, and this blog would have benefitted greatly from Mal’s photography!
We were well sheltered by the river gorge and occasional gusts of wind were not a problem and did not impede our progress – which was probably quicker than we would have liked as we very quickly arrived into Bridgnorth.
[/URL][/IMG]
[/URL][/IMG]
Because of the flow, if we exclude the lunch stop, our paddling time for the 10 miles was only about two hours. A very pleasant trip and we did not suffer unduly from wind – at least no more than usual! Many thanks to Dave B for organising it.
[/URL][/IMG]
After several weeks and four thread pages of pre-trip discussion and debate (a record?) we finally arrived at the rendezvous in Ironbridge at 9.30am. The 28 or so initial attendees seemed to be arriving a little late as there were only five of us – Dave B (the organiser), Mike (2527252725272527), Apache George, my brother and me. We decided to go ahead with the shuttle to save time and expected to see at least the brave camping souls on our return –but there were no more takers! Surprising really as, despite the forecasts, it was dry and calm.
[/URL][/IMG]
There was a bit of a search to find coins for the car park –Mike claimed to be searching for 50p but I’m not sure he found anything in there……
[/URL][/IMG]
We set off close to the beautiful power station cooling towers, now even cooler as the site had apparently closed last week.
[/URL][/IMG]
A lovely run down through Ironbridge and under the eponymous bridge.
[/URL][/IMG]
Below the village there was a large sign indicating that construction works on the river banks were ongoing…..
[/URL][/IMG]
…… and on down to Jackfield which had a few nice bouncy waves.
[/URL][/IMG]
[/URL][/IMG]
More pretty bridges and a myriad of pubs.
[/URL][/IMG]
Another potential venue for a Halloween meet?
[/URL][/IMG]
The river had a good steady flow (quite boiley), so progress was good and paddling was optional!
[/URL][/IMG]
If any of you were inspired by the recent Grand Designs programme on building a home inside a sandstone cave, here is another opportunity.
[/URL][/IMG]
We stopped in a nice grassy field for sandwiches and stollen, an experience only marred by a couple of skids down the muddy bank. There was some reflection on absent friends – in particular we missed one of Mark’s freshly made chip butties, and this blog would have benefitted greatly from Mal’s photography!
We were well sheltered by the river gorge and occasional gusts of wind were not a problem and did not impede our progress – which was probably quicker than we would have liked as we very quickly arrived into Bridgnorth.
[/URL][/IMG]
[/URL][/IMG]
Because of the flow, if we exclude the lunch stop, our paddling time for the 10 miles was only about two hours. A very pleasant trip and we did not suffer unduly from wind – at least no more than usual! Many thanks to Dave B for organising it.
[/URL][/IMG]