North Wales trip report

News, Reports, Trip, Trip Reports
Nine Nomads returned to Bala in North Wales on Saturday 27th April aiming to run the Tryweryn.  However, breakfast in the Y Badell Aur Café was interrupted by news that the dam release was cancelled due to high rain forecast, which promised to turn river levels from rags to riches. The destination was switched to the River Dee, which was rising from 2 to 9 on the Mile End Mill gauge.  Two groups formed to match the experience and aspirations of our paddlers.  Ian Williams led an eight mile journey on the highly underestimated stretch from Glyndyfrdwy to Mile End Mill, whilst Anthony Vecchio led a white water skills day between Horseshoe Falls and Llangollen. Storm Hannah brought lower temperatures and moderate winds along with rising water levels, so full…
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Ivel trip report

News, Trip, Trip Reports
On Sunday 14th April six Nomads led by Ian traveled up the A1 to the River Ivel put-in near Sandy in Bedfordshire. Eight had booked for the trip, but David Hack & Robert Crowley had to pull out at short notice. Though the weather was bright with not too much breeze, it was a bit nippy for mid-April, so we decided to stick with the standard trip to Tempsford where the Ivel joins the Great Ouse rather than continuing another 3km to the Anchor Inn near Great Barford. Maybe next time we'll have a supper run to the Anchor. The four vehicle shuttle all went well until Annette, having driven back to the put-in with all the others, realised she still had her and Sarah’s dry clothes for the get…
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Grove Mill trip report

News, Trip, Trip Reports
On Sunday 17th of March five Nomads set out from Grove Mill near Hunton Bridge to explore the grand union canal and river Gade backwaters back to the aquadrome. After the hurricane the previous day we were glad to start in sunshine with only a light breeze as we set off southward on the canal towards Cassiobury park. After a pretty canal section past Whippendell woods on the right and a portage around two locks, we soon arrived above the lock in Cassiobury park where we turned off left on the river Gade. A selection of weirs presented themselves, but we took the easiest chute to the left into a pool with no obvious exit due to a fallen tree. Undeterred we forged our way through the tree branches continuing…
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Nomads working party

Maintenance, News
On Saturday the 16th of March several club members assisted in the laying of roadstone in front of and between the storage containers to provide a solid walking area and in the connection of a permanent mains supply to the clubhouse, all ably coordinated by Chilly. Thanks to the number of members helping the jobs were completed without drama, except for the Travis Perkins lorry on it's second visit being unable to get a grip on the grass and threatening to take out the gate post! Thank you to everyone who gave their time to help.
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Wey trip report

News, Trip, Trip Reports
On saturday 2nd February four Nomads led by Matt overcame their meteorological pessimism due to overstated media reports of snow and met at New Haw lock in Addlestone to paddle a 12 mile circuit around the Wey Navigation and river Wey. Despite the forecast the weather started out fine and sunny as we headed south under the M25 and we all felt overdressed as we followed the beautiful tree lined navigation past attractive houses and fields against a slight current. Simon was soon locating us by golf courses as we passed a canal side pub he recognised at our only lock portage on the navigation. About a mile further through fields and woodland brought us to an ancient lock dated 1653, our lunch stop and site of the weir that…
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Mid Wye trip report

News, Trip, Trip Reports
Ian at full sail On 12th January four Nomads met in the car park at Builth Wells to begin a 15 mile journey down the River Wye to Glasbury.  This classic touring section includes the Grade 3 Hell Hole alongside the iconic Wye Valley countryside. Having pointed out the exact spot below the bridge where two years earlier we had conducted our first rescue, we conducted our first rescue; probably caused by the very same rock.  However, the mild weather minimised the impact and we continued through successive grade 2 rapids towards the Hell Hole. On arrival, our inspection at low water made the decision clear.  We would avoid the Hell Hole and take the chicken run on river left instead.  This worked for most of the group, but for…
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