Canoe with a View : : Canadian Open Canoe forum

(18-05-09 07:13 AM)Sabina Wrote: [ -> ]Hi Wattle

Where are you paddling round Scunthorpe?

Local river is usually very windy - Ancholme - wind funnels down it. Keadby canal the same. Mind you when Brandy wharf is up river I do intend to paddle up there on a nice sunny morning to get dinner and cider sometime.

Chesterfield canal is sheltered and brillant fun, yet only 20-25 minutes drive from us. Can practice in and out on solid canal side or banks further down without Open being blown all over.

I was only on the Chesterfield canal week Sunday - only 2 barges actually moving.

I am away on Friday in Scotland for a week but could meet up after that if you fancy it? What are you like for an evening paddle?

Sabina

Grief! You've taken me back a bit here, must be over 30 years ago, as a teenager I camped at Brandy Wharf. There was a pub there called the Anchor Inn, The Landlord was well into traditional Cyder, If I recall the pub sign said "HAnchorin fer a Cyder!" He boasted over 30 ciders, I'd worked on a cider farm in Somerset as a kid and we sat and tried them all one afternoon in little shot glasses. I was both plastered and under age! The landlord said I was his guest if I came back for the cider festival he was organising. It will remain a fond memory as long as I live. (I wonder if the old visitors book is still about)? Mike

Well the cider pub is still there and very popular with lots to stay on the campsite down the road - pity the river is still and straight next to it!!!!!

Will have a look if there a guest book still next time I am there - don't get there very often cause if you are the driver you can only have 1 pint!!!!!

Sabina

I was incredibly wobbly when I first started.

If you have a centre thwart and lines either end that are the length of the canoe you could run each line down to the centre thwart and around it to a post on the towpath - securing each with a mooring hitch. This helps hold up the towpath side. If you then use the paddle across the gunwhales this helps stabilise the boat while you get in.

When you are ready to go the mooring hitch is easy enough to undo by pulling on the working end.

i am a big paddler too 280. if you are truely tippy , you can cheat by taking a collapsable water jug about 5 gallons/ filling it and place that in the bow of your canoe. when i pop into my canoe, i like to grab both gunnels. place my right foot slightly right of the keel line, staying low and shove off with my left foot. then i go directly to a kneeling position with my feet slightly underneath my seat.