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First proper paddle - This time we launched at Christchurch Quay, Dorset, then made our way under Tucton Roundabout upstream towards Iford Bridge.

Once you pass the moored boats at Chrsitchurch Quay, the river quietens down leaving a row of boats length ways on either side up river. Once you pass under Tuckton Bridge, there are just boats moored on left hand side. Once you get to this point you only encounter the over enthusiastic steering of Hire boats every now and then. On the left bend you will notice a high chimney on a building left over from years ago, I can’t remember what it is now, but i shall keep you updated. A couple of bends later you are passing under a railway bridge, round the next bend is a famous tank bridge crossing the river.

As it was only our first few paddles we decided it was a good time to stop for Afternoon Tea & Cake (how very British), well actually it was quite windy and overcast so was quite warming!

Then for the easy down river paddle to the Quay! Guess it took us about 2 1/2 hrs in total, great day out!

The first trip out was a relatively short 30 min tester to see how the kayak handled and how we handled it. Also the weather was a bit changeable and big black clouds where looming closer. This first trip was on the River Stour in Christchurch, launched near Iford Bridge. Just get on the Kayak, both of us in, and then a Lad & a girl shout over the bridge “Hi are you just going out?”, “yep” i reply, so anyway cut a long story short he’d kicked his American football into the River by accident. So the first paddle was to retrieve his lost ball, which we did with many thanks when I threw it back. We started by paddling against the flow, knowing that if we get tired we can just float back! As we pass the lad he shouts out again “do you want a beer?!?”, so me not turning down a free beer, take up on the kind offer of a cold can of Carling as a reward for retrieving his ball. The paddle went well, the kayak was more cleaver design than the Ocean Kayak, more comfortable and I don’t know if they have a drinks holder like the BIC Tobago, which has expectantly come into use already. We both enjoyed the paddle, and went home full of enthusiasm for the next trip. Please see map

Today is quite an exciting day, we just bought our first sit on top kayak. I Just sold our 20yr old ski boat and are going to try kayaking. Hopefully this will get a lot more use than the boat did, the boat was good fun, but you had to go out for the whole day to make the effort to get on the water worth while. We took delivery of it yesturday, it came only 2 days after ordering in. The weather forecast looks bad for today, but as i’m writing this at 7:30am and looking out the window, its a still day, bit white and cloudy, but as long as it doesn’t rain i don’t care! Now with the Kayak we can keep it at home in the garage or in the back garden, when we want to use it just put it on the roof rack and off you go! I’ll let you know how we get on…