Canoe with a View : : Canadian Open Canoe forum

Saturday 27th of June, finish work, throw the gear in the car and we're away. Sam, James and I are returning to Frodingham landing, a well maintained quay on the old Driffield navigation and a lovely place to camp. A late start to the 100 mile trip meant it was already early evening as we pitched our camp. With our Yukon burning and the kettle on, we watched as an eerie orange moon rose above the nearby North Frodingham church.

After a couple of quiet beers Sam and I joined a snoring James in the tent and enjoyed a good nights sleep. An early start saw us joined by my Mum and Dad for a cooked breakfast before struck camp and loaded the canoe for a paddle.
Within 70 yards of leaving the quay we were cut off from any sign of civilisation, enjoying the tranquility of a Sunday morning afloat. We paddled gently down stream in about 4 foot of beautifully clear water with no weed to speak of with James alternating between paddling and splashing Sam and I, a welcome distraction from the by now very hot sun.
[img]httphttp://farm5.static.flickr.com/4120/4772633756_349fb4b2c1.jpg://[/img]
As we got further away from the landing the banks gradually became more overgrown though the channel remained clear and deep right up to the point where the canal forks. Turning left would take us towards the Tidal lock at Empholme and the lower reaches of the River Hull, whilst turning right as we intended would take us towards the hill village of Brigham and eventually the head of the navigation, Driffield.

The navigation forks..
As we paddled up the long straight of Brigham beck we were amazed by the clarity of the water which teamed with fish of considerable size, though the weed was also more evident.

Brigham Beck.
We easily passed beneath the restored swing bridge at Brigham before heading up stream. There are reputedly otters here but we didn't see them this time.
Once past Brigham we spotted a pair of swans with a large brood of well grown cygnets, Dad was looking a bit diss-chuffed at our appearence and it took us a good 15 to 20 minutes of very gentle paddling whilst trying to look as un-threatening as possible to ease past him and his family.

Once we were well away he launched himself in our direction, barely airbourne with wings smacking the water loudly in a very impresive if somewhat belated display. (Scared Sam though!).
Once clear we headed further up the now much weedier canal

The reeds close in.

towards the lock at Snakeholme.
When the canal was built in the 18th century the navigation was tidal right up to Snakeholme lock which now boasts new gates having been restored by enthusiasts.

As we portage the lock it is clear that there was once a mini staircase lock here with the sockets for a 2nd lower set of gates intended to take care of the low tide still visible along with remains of the sluice gear that operated it.
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Lower gate sockets at old tidal lock.

Remains of old tidal lock sluice on bank oppersite James.
Once back on the water it is only a short half mile or so to the Trout Inn at Wansford where a pontoon landing is idealy placed for a quick stop for refreshments, .


Just yards upstream the canal is crossed by a low fixed bridge, (awaiting replacement) and the River Hull runs within yards of the canal though the banks are now heavily overgrown with a number of NO BOATING signs in evidence . (As good a reason for trying it out as any I think)!
As we arrived we were surprised to find we had company,

It got weirder as we talked as it turned out we'de grown up in the same village and my then next door neighbour and best friend was married to his sister and we knew each other from over 40 years ago!!!!!
After a quick meal and a nice cold pint we made our goodbyes and headed back the way we had come seeing 2 of the biggest Dragonflies I have ever seen. We then followed a real drama queen of a duck who pretended to have a broken wing in order to lead us a good half a mile or more away from her brood.

Once past her we had to run the gauntlet of Mr Swan and got a repeat performance of his "They've gone now Missus so I'll chase them noisily". performance except this time we had the camara ready.

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Having said that, he'd pretty good reason to be proud!

After all the excitement we headed back beneath Brigham Bridge

Restored swing bridge at Brigham.
Rounding a bend we saw a Brigham scow sailing gently up stream, one of only a couple left of the 20 or more that sailed here when I was a kid.

From here it was a gentle paddle back to where we left the car.



All in all a very nice day paddling the waters of my youth. Regards. Mike.


James then fell asleep and Sam and I

Wow the water was clear, a good family day out, great TT and ending with a cliff hanger sorta like Dr Who .......James then fell asleep and Sam and I......

Cheers
Tim

Great TT and thoroughly enjoyable to read.....Thanks

What a great TT Mike, and super photos, a thoroughly enjoyable read. From the pictures you certainly had the weather for it. Thanks for sharing your day with us. Spot on!


Nige.

Excellent TT mike with photo's to match, my kind of river

definately one for this future!

Andy.

(08-07-10 05:19 AM)Tim Wrote: [ -> ].......James then fell asleep and Sam and I......

Cheers
Tim

Whoops! Typo honest, though I would say that wouldn't I???

fantastic trip tale love the pics

regards iain

A Top, TOP read Mike....

When I saw all the photo's interspersed with text I knew I needed to find a quiet corner/moment in my life to really read through it and apprecieate the story.....

I'll read it again, a couple of times, if you don't mind.... Excellent.....

Cheers
Red.

Fantastic, this has inspired me to try this one out too