Saturday – The Dart Loop
A cosy Friday night was spent at the Dartbridge Inn and on Saturday morning Alex made heroic work of the full English breakfast plus continental buffet. We gathered our gear together to organise shuttles, ably orchestrated by Nigel, our trip leader, with the type of precision only granted through many years of previous experience.
By 10:30, boats were on the water at Newbridge; spirits were high, even though the water level was not. The Dart’s sparkling waters greeted us with moss‑draped oaks, grey wagtails flitting along the banks and plenty of rocks just under the surface. We had some fun in the play wave just beyond the bridge, with the novices testing out their white water skills. The early rapids – the washing machine and boulder gardens – were good fun even at low levels.
We stopped at the foot of Lovers’ Leap for lunch. After dispatching several boxes of Frosties from the continental breakfast buffet, we got back on the water to enjoy the next section of wide and rocky rapids with Triple Falls being fun but not overtly consequential at these levels. The biggest challenge was to avoid the rocks, unless you were Helen – in which case you took pleasure in nailing every single one.
We enjoyed the funnelling rapids down towards Buckfast Abbey, portaging around Furzleigh weir and zooming down the water-slide-like section that followed. By mid‑afternoon we paddled triumphantly into our get out point at Strawberry Fields Farm Shop at Buckfastleigh. Here, we performed the most tricky manoeuvres of the day: getting changed underneath a towel in the car park and sitting down to afternoon tea.
Sunday – The River Exe
Saturday night was spent at the Dartbridge Inn, with some top notch entertainment provided by the team. “Magic” Martin got the evening’s proceedings going with a solid card trick, inspiring Nigel and Alex to follow up with their offerings to make quite the show. After another heroic breakfast performance we packed up and headed to Exeter for a change of pace on the River Exe.
Finding the best quayside car park turned into a group exercise in optimism and improvisation (it turns out Caroline’s car can fit 3 kayaks inside with the boot closed). Eventually, we launched onto the river and headed south towards Trews Weir. Nigel piqued the interest of several onlookers by getting out of his boat and teetering around on the concrete benching in the middle of the weir to inspect the fish pass, eventually declaring it safe to attempt and getting back into his boat without mishap (to the disappointment of the spectators). Martin led the way, whooshing down the gradient which provided some excitement to up the heart rate on what was otherwise a gentle cruise past riverside gardens.
Continuing downstream, over the now collapsed St James Weir, we spotted a heron, nesting kingfishers, seagulls, and a curious cow. Slipping beneath Bridge Road, we hunted for our exit point, which turned out to be a slimy ramp by the sewage works. After a sludgy portage we washed our feet thoroughly and launched into the Exeter Canal, turning north and homeward bound.
Gliding back along the canal between banks bursting with cow parsley, yellow flag iris, and splendid arum lilies, we were welcomed back by views of the city and the cathedral to complete a loop that was as scenic as it was satisfying.
It was a weekend to remember, a classic paddle for newbies and the experience alike. Thanks to Nigel for organising and Tony, Helen, Alex, Martin and Caroline for the great company (and table magic). Special thanks to Sue for being a patient kayak support unit. We look forward to doing it again in the winter with some more water beneath our boats!
Thanks to Caroline for an excellent write up.
