We’ve just returned from our open boat weekend on the dart. The trip was designed so that you carried all of your camping equipment, food, clothing etc with you in your boat. We were planning to start at Holne Bridge on the dart and paddle down to the very basic campsite however record low rainfall for the past 5 weeks has meant that there was no water. Instead we had to spend all of our time paddling on the tidal sections of the estuary as this did have water. We started at Dittisham. The weather on Saturday was a pig with very strong headwinds making paddling very difficult for most of us. After taking nearly 1 hour to travel the first mile with the tide on our side but into the wind many of us wanted to turn back and find an easier route. But Yoda persuaded us all to be patient and just take our time and we would get through it. As usual he was right.
We arrived after about 2.5 hours and set up camp right on the banks of the dart at Sharpham.
We built a nice fire, tucked into our rations, had some medicinal beverages and enjoyed the well illuminated night views from the full moon.
Sunday we got up early, breakfast, broke camp and were on the water by 8:30. What a contrast with the weather with practically no wind. The estuary was like a millpond. We headed off from Sharpham and went exploring. First on the agenda was the Bow Creek up to Bow where we had to turn back when the water eventaully became too shallow. From here we headed back down the creek to the main estuary and headed into Stoke Gabriel where we decided it was time for a cup of coffee just as the local cafe was opening.
From here it was just a short trek back to Dittisham, load up the boats and head back home.
Many thanks to Adam and Brian for organising the whole event which was great fun. Your efforts are appreciated and we look forward to the next expedition.
Here are just a few of my pictures with some more to follow from Ed later. Anyone else who would like to write some comments on the trip then please send them to me.
Updated with the additional following version of war and peace set from Clive on his iPhone. Hopefully I’ve fixed the spellings but you never know. Photos now follow this.
River Dart Trip So I am on a plane and bored so I thought I would type a report of the recent trip, feel free to comment and add as required.
Report, So as most of the best club trips start there was a plan and as usual the plan was changed due to circumstances beyond our control, in this case it was the rain – the was a serious lack of it and there had not been any for a very long time. So we had to roll with it and change the original plan, but then there is always Plan B, Plan C, Plan D,…. Well you get the idea. As we headed south on the M5 a bit later than originally planned, according to Plan A, we headed for the Dartbridge Inn at Buckfastleigh just off the A38. There we all met up and collect a stray paddler in the form of Alain Cook whom we had not seen for a while but always a welcome sight. From here we then headed to Dittisham where we were to get on the estuary part of the River Dart.
We arrived in the car park, unloaded and with our paddling partners got the boats ready. After a comprehensive briefing from Adam and Brian we set off on our mini adventure. We knew the tide was on our side and it was a good incoming tide but the wind was against us.
According to Brian it was due to be a gale force 4 to 5, about 35mph.
We set off and as we rounded the first bend we felt its full force.
Given the different abilities and strengths within the group it soon split us up so after 30 minutes or so we headed for the bank to regroup. After setting off we headed to the first of two inlet crossings. The first was not too bad and after the crossing we regrouped to head up the next stretch of before the second crossing.
This was more challenging. As we crossed you could feel the wind gusting and at times while we were paddling hard we were at times stationery. Needless to say we made it (of course we did) and regrouped again for the final leg to the camp site. As Graham would say ‘Yoda pointed out the obvious in terms of paddling and that we were in no rush to get to the camp site, it would talk as long as it would take’ So we then headed off for the final leg to the camp site.
As we rounded the final bend and landed it became obvious to me (Clive) that I had massively been let down by my fellow paddlers (I will refrain from calling them friends at this point), I was disappointed, and how. There were no trees, what was I to do. Nowhere to hang my hammock. My latest purchase I was so pleased with it but there were no trees. What was I to do (just as well I had a back up a plan B, there was no plan C or D) I was so looking forward to putting them all to shame and showing off my fantastic (I am bound to say that) hammock, proving there is always another option, another way.
So we all set to putting up the tents and in my case Plan B, tarp over Canoe. Which I have to say worked out really well, just look at the pictures on line. So with shelter sorted our attention turned to food, why would it not after a had afternoon paddling against the wind. We cooked our food and rations, and in some cases rather larger tins of chilli and started to settle in to the night. It is at this point I should mention that on the way down our car (Graham, Clive and Brian) took a slight detour and went to the campsite office to collect the toilet key – which no one knew about, could be interesting. Anyway, having made an arrangement that they would unlock and leave the key somewhere obvious. As it turns out we this arrangement was changed as John H, who was not paddling, had decided to come and camp with us went back to the office and collected the key. So we were pleased when it was realised that the toilets were open. There was a fire pit not far from the river’s edge and it seemed a shame not to light a fire and some went off to gather wood, and indeed they came back with wood and it was a bit of a surprise when Paul C appeared with a pallet (this story will continue). By this time the wind had calmed down and it was turning out to be a very clear night and it was also a full moon. So after tea some of use took a walk up the hill to enjoy the view down to the river and across the estuary, and what a view it was. We stood up there for a good while in silence just admiring the view. The stars were just starting to appear and those who knew what they were pointed them out. Once we got back to the campsite we settled into our tipple, which everyone had bought with them, well nearly everyone, and someone knew where it was…. At home on the counter next to the toaster, Doh Alain!!, still we rallied round and he did not go short.
Around the campfire the usual broke out, storytelling, my what whoppers (all good fun) previous trips and experience, anecdotes and such things, all good fun and entertainment. A party boat went passed and a different kind of moon appeared (we know who you are 
as well as a lot of cheering went back and forth on its way up the river, and of course when it came back later. The fire was starting to die down and it became necessary to fuel it and the pallet became the centre of attention (This is where the story continues). Fitz in his worldly wisdom made it very clearly how to break it (throw it on the ground on its corner on that wall, it will break up) but he showed no enthusiasm to do so. Step forward the volunteer. They pick up the pallet, in full view of everyone. In the moon light the appeared as a silhouette, casting a shadow in the moon light. They approached the wall which was about 3ft up from the river’s edge, lifted the pallet as high as they could and then let it drop on the wall…….… But they missed and the pallet ended up 3ft down, out of sight on the river on the bank.
Laugh Laugh Laugh, we all fell about. There was this shadow wielding this pallet around and it vanished 3ft down on the banks of the river Dart. Turns out John Heath was the volunteer, it was so funny.
Needless to say we eventually broke it up, and the massive log that was found and the fire burnt for ages. It was still warm the next morning, parts of the log were still there but the pallet was gone, well and truly. After we all recovered and we finished off our stories and our tipple and people gradually headed for shut eye. The previous night we had discussed another change to the plan. Rather than paddle with the tide down to Dartmouth, then wait for tide change and then paddle back to the car. It was decided by the group to take a longer paddle downstream, explore Bow Creek, then a stopover on Stoke Gabriel for a cup of tea and then back to the cars. What a change of weather Sunday was a very still day, almost no wind and the sun was doing its best to make for a great day, which it eventually did. So we headed off just gone 08.30n (yes that’s right, we needed to catch the turning tide) and head down to Oxbow Creek. Paddling up the creek lots of different wildlife was spotted, all sorts of bird doing their thing, it was very tranquil and peaceful – a great morning. We paddled all the way up Oxbow creek as far as the first weir. There was even a bit of time to play on a rope swing in the pub garden, wasn’t there Graham and Fitz!! Next stop Stoke Gabriel for a brew. As we entered to small cove the tidal weir came into view. We all got out and headed for the café – Closed, what to do, make a brew of head off. Well after a short discussion the Café owner appeared, not sure if he saw us and opened earlier but what a surprise. The café owner was at the campsite the night before searching for his lost keys, which he found. So the sight of 11 people at his door appeared too much to resist. A round of tea, use of the facilities and then we were off again. As we entered the main Dart estuary Rita, who I was paddling with, noticed something in the water. It was a seal, what a great sight. Nice and peaceful just swimming around, it then went under and there was another just in the distance. What a great morning it was turning out to be. After regrouping we headed with the outgoing tide back to where we started the previous day. A nice paddle downstream, round the last bend and there we were back at the cars. A bit of unloading, sorting out kit, loading the cars and we were off, heading home, well via Tesco for a bite to eat and to drop off Alain. It was a great weekend, I think it is fair to say everyone had a great time, something else different that the club has done and let’s hope it is not the last time we do a trip like this. Many thank to Adam and Brian for their efforts in organising this trip. Those paddling (in the partners) were Fitz & Dan, Alain & Wendy, Graham & Paul C, Clive & Rita, Adam & Ed and Brian. I think it is fair to say that we will be doing another trip like this, not sure when or on which river but one thing is for sure it will be a lot of fun and worth doing keep a look out on the programme.
