River Waveney Canoe Camp Weekend 2010
Published: June 2010
Day 1 Sat 12 June Needham to Homersfield
The group all met at the club house at 9:30 to collect various equipment needed for the weekend. Most opted for open canoes I chose a kayak. The weather was cloudy and the wind wasn't very strong. Then after every body was sorted the group was split into two. The first group went to Needham and unloaded all the kit they needed for the day. The second group headed to Homersfield Black Swan campsite. Then the second group took the first group back and unloaded their equipment. Once everybody had every thing ready, the second group then took the rest of the cars to Homersfield Black Swan campsite so there would be only one car left at the start. Whilst the second group were taking their cars back to the Homersfield Black Swan campsite, the first group started to get onto the river. Once the group was complete the leaders took some pictures and then we had a briefing. Once the briefing was over our Trip leader, Graham got on the water and we were able to set off at 11:30.
Along the first leg the river was narrow and shallow and Graham was practising poling his boat, most people had to get out and pull the boats along until the river got deeper. This seemed to slow us down a lot but as we paddled it became deeper and wider half way along we stopped to let everyone catch up and have some sweets as we were feeling peckish. As we neared Mendham the wind picked up and it was hard work in places to keep the boats straight.
At Mendham Weir some brave people went over the weir and one of the open canoes had a go and got stuck halfway some pushing power was needed. The rest of the group exited at the portage points and stopped for lunch. Before we left we had a meeting and were shown on the map how much further we had to go. The group then got to the right side of the weir and paddled down the river again. We then came to Homersfield sluice and got out using the portaged point but in the field were some cows and they were interested in Gavins dog and came over to investigate. The river had reeds which made it difficult to stay as a group. So we launched off one at a time. When it was appropriate we stopped and let the group catch up. One of the cows had started to eat one of the opens canoes rope. One member of the group had to shoo away the cows. During the last leg the river was over grown and there was no clear way through, so we had to pull on the reeds to help us get through. After a little while we reached the camp site Homersfield Black Swan we got off the water at 4:30
We pulled our boats out of the river close to where we were camping most people took their water gear off before putting there tents up. Gavin took Graham to Needham to collect his car. The group helped Graham put up his tent. After all the tents were up and all the equipment was in the tents, we then boiled some water for tea which we had as a group altogether. After a little while we headed for the Black Swan at 7:30 for a refreshing drink whilst we chose what meals we wanted. Some people chose the "Mucky duck" Special and some had Mixed Grill or some jumped for the Kangaroo Steak. Whilst we were having our meal the England game was on we knew it wasn't very good because there were only a few grunts coming from the TV area. We spent the rest of the evening socializing a couple had a game of pool.
Day 2 Sun 13 June Homersfield to Bungay
Everybody woke up around 7:00 o clock the weather was cloudy and windy so we decided to put the kettle on. After we had tea the group started cooking breakfast every one helping each other. Some food was accidently dropped on the floor so Alan decided to give it to Gavin's dog. Alan did not put it down in time and his finger was nipped. After some first aid, and when every one had finished eating we packed all our camping equipment away and sorted out what we needed for the day. A few members joined us for the day and met us at the campsite. Most of us took our cars to the club house at Bungay and 2 cars took us back to the campsite. We got ready and put the boats on the water we left at 10:30. The weather was windy and not very warm. We paddled down the river this was narrow and in places it was shallow with tight bends. We went past Flixton trees lined both sides of the river making it quite dark, further down steam we went past the old otter trust.
At Earsham sluice we stopped and exited via the portage point and had lunch for 30 mins. Before we left we had a meeting and were shown our position on the map and we could see how much further we had to go. The group then got to the right side of the weir and paddled down the river again. As we approached Bungay the river was shallow again some of us got stuck. How ever the river was flowing quiet fast so we were able use the current to help us. We saw Bungay castle and as we started the loop around Bungay common the sun came out and it warmed up. As we paddled there was other canoeists on the water some of our group had a chat with them. We went passed Rider Haggard House so we knew we were getting close to the end. We picked up the pace on this leg and soon we were at Bungay sluice we got out at the portage point. Once most of the equipment was put away we had another photograph taken.
This was my longest trip to date and I would recommend it was really enjoyable thanks to all coaches and everyone who came on this trip.