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Jonny Walker
225 Posts |
 Posted - 09/06/2009 : 21:50:45
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Hi everyone,
4 of us had a great trip the other day on the River Waveney, and others have said they'd like another opportunity to go canoeing, so here goes...
This trip will be down the River Waveney from Outney Meadow caravan park, where the canoes are hired from.
http://www.outneymeadow.co.uk/canoe-hire.htm
The canoes are good quality, mostly Old Town brand, and are stable, about 17' long and ideal for 2 paddlers.
Cost is £30 per canoe per day, so 15 quid each.
Hire time is from 9.30am until 6.00pm, but we met at 10 and finished at 4.
This trip will take us past beautiful meadows where we can watch cows grazing, and we'll see plenty of swans and geese and their offspring, lots of damsel flies, the odd kingfisher and, if we're lucky, an otter, as they are around on this part of the river....and lots and lots of fish of all sizes, as the river is nice and clear.
Even for novice paddlers it's great fun, and not going straight can add to the enjoyment sometimes  It's not hard to make progress downriver.
Safety equipment is provided so no need to worry about not being able to swim, etc.
We will also paddle past part of Bungay and underneath bridges and will negotiate 3 sluices at Bungay Staithe, Wainford Mill and Ellingham Mill, which are all attractive places in their own right.
At the sluices the Environment Agency has provided wooden platforms specifically for canoeists to enable us to get out and in again easily.
Between getting out and getting in again paddlers will have to lift their canoe out of the water, carry it a few yards, and put it back into the water again.
Upstream of sluices there are pontoon chains which prevent accidental canoeing over the sluice  which wouldn't be recommended. When you get in downstream of the sluice you just have to make sure you stay away from the short waterfall coming off the sluice, and it will help if you point your canoe in the right direction before you get in.
I have done this route both ways several times and the river is very safe as long as people are sensible. It's a slow moving river and there aren't any rapids.
About 3 hours after leaving Outney Meadow we'll arrive at the lovely Locks Inn at Geldeston for lunch.
http://www.geldestonlocks.co.uk/
Please at least buy a small drink if you want to enjoy their beer garden. There are signs saying no outside food or drink, so please to avoid embarrassment to Jonny respect this  The grub is great and you can get a great baguette for a few quid. Or there are plenty of places to enjoy a picnic by the river on the doorstep. So there is a choice, and they're both good.
After last Saturday I highly recommend the Summer Dream elderflower beer 
More details to follow...
Would be helpful if people only post interest if they are fairly likely to turn up, as we had lots of people dropping out last time...which is fine, but it's nice to know numbers when I book canoes. Because of the school holidays we may have to reserve boats a bit earlier than last time.
So come on peeps, come paddling and have a great day out 
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blondebombshell
355 Posts |
Posted - 10/06/2009 : 08:10:38
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I would quite like to have a go at this as it sounds a real laugh...obviously my canoeing skills are non existant yes count me in thanks v much for organising it....
Eimear McDonnell |
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louise146
137 Posts |
Posted - 10/06/2009 : 16:21:56
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Hi will have another go at this, was really good fun last week, will be good to see you too Eimear.It's been along time.
Jane |
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Jonny Walker
225 Posts |
Posted - 10/06/2009 : 17:01:16
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A good start
Don't worry Eimear, incompetence is half the fun in a canoe  |
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Ian.H
51 Posts |
Posted - 10/06/2009 : 19:07:02
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Hi Jon count me in for this look forward to trying it in the other
direction, and another visit to that fine ale house. I agree the summer dream is to be recommended. Ian |
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Paula
348 Posts |
Posted - 10/06/2009 : 20:15:54
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I look forward to another trip too and might even be tempted into Summer Dreaming!
Paula
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Jonny Walker
225 Posts |
Posted - 11/06/2009 : 11:52:57
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| oh...can people also say whether they'd like to have a pub meal (menu on the website above) or packed lunch please...thanks |
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blondebombshell
355 Posts |
Posted - 17/06/2009 : 19:23:09
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Jon,
I am only a maybe for this now as I have been invited to Edinburgh that weekend by some scottish friends and I am v tempted as I am more of a thespian, theatre type then a paddler....can you let me know when I have to decide by? Thanks ...sorry I am unreliable and disloyal and they are my good points
I hope to see Jane and her new bloke and Paula on another walk...if I dont make this
Thanks again...I'll make my mind up soonish...
Eimear McDonnell |
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Jonny Walker
225 Posts |
Posted - 19/06/2009 : 14:48:47
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Hi Eimear,
I'm not sure I can compete with a weekend in Edinburgh but I guess mid July should be when we should know who's coming, so anytime up until then will do |
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Timski
15 Posts |
Posted - 21/06/2009 : 10:28:19
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Hi Jon
Sounds like fun - hope the swans are friendly!
see you on the 8th
Tim |
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louise146
137 Posts |
Posted - 16/07/2009 : 07:31:12
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Hi Jon, i will be having the pub lunch this time, would not want to put Ian to all that trouble again all though it was very nice. All so would like to take this opportunity to point out that Ian and myself are not an item just good friends. So there is no new man sorry to say Eimear.
Jane |
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liam_dsouza
572 Posts |
Posted - 16/07/2009 : 13:37:40
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| See Andrew, I told you that Jane and Ian weren't going out with each other... |
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julian.white
861 Posts |
Posted - 16/07/2009 : 13:38:16
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| Too much gossiping in this group, glad I'm not one for gossip :) |
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Jonny Walker
225 Posts |
Posted - 20/07/2009 : 15:14:46
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| Just bumping this to see if anyone else wants to come along for a nice day out on the beautiful River Waveney, as I'll be looking to book the canoes at least a week before the trip. |
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Truckboy44
142 Posts |
Posted - 20/07/2009 : 21:09:26
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| I might give this a go,next time round,what date are we looking at jon? |
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Truckboy44
142 Posts |
Posted - 20/07/2009 : 21:10:52
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| Ah ok i wasn"t paying attention! It"s the 8th of august |
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Ian.H
51 Posts |
Posted - 20/07/2009 : 22:49:26
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| Hi Jon, As I am now redundant on the picnic front I too will go for the pub lunch.Ian |
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Jonny Walker
225 Posts |
Posted - 21/07/2009 : 15:11:37
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...and just when everyone has heard so much about your luxury picnics, Ian
...hope you can come along, Clive. |
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julian.white
861 Posts |
Posted - 21/07/2009 : 20:33:07
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If I may, I'll be at this (if I can either get a lift from Norwich, or maybe a lift from Lowestoft if I get the train there) :)
Pub lunch sounds good.
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Jonny Walker
225 Posts |
Posted - 21/07/2009 : 22:58:26
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| You can certainly get a lift from Lowestoft from me if you can't get one from Norwich. |
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Hels
8 Posts |
Posted - 25/07/2009 : 00:41:22
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| Hi, is it too late to join this trip? I will definately be able to make it. Although I've not been in a canoe for years! |
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Jonny Walker
225 Posts |
Posted - 25/07/2009 : 02:33:57
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| Sure, you're very welcome, Hels. Anyone can join in until I reserve the canoes midweek, but even after that people might still be able to join in. |
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Hels
8 Posts |
Posted - 25/07/2009 : 13:09:53
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| Hi, that's great - hope there's someone to share a canoe with! If anyone needs a lift from Norwich I will be driving. |
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Jonny Walker
225 Posts |
Posted - 26/07/2009 : 05:20:25
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| If there is an odd number there is an option of 3 sharing a 3 seater for the same £30 price, so that's ok. |
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sarah
4 Posts |
Posted - 27/07/2009 : 14:04:13
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Hi there,
I'm Sarah and I've just registered. I am keen to get involved in this trip if it's still possible?
Cheers |
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Jonny Walker
225 Posts |
Posted - 28/07/2009 : 19:44:59
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Hi Sarah, welcome aboard  I hope to book up tomorrow, so will include you in the numbers. See you on the trip! |
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Topic |
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Canoe trip, Sat 8/8/09
