Author: trips

On Sunday 12th of December 9 Nomads, 3 of them on their first trip with the club travelled to Wargrave to paddle the Thames and St Patrick's stream led by Matt. We were to have been 10 but unfortunately Pierre's COVID booster had knocked him out for paddling, so he helped launch and took photos and videos. Unlike previous weekends the weather could have been generously described as bordering on warm and though cloudy no rain was forecast, so the paddle could be looked forward to. There had been some rain and the Thames had a good flow without being in flood, so a good bit of exercise was to be had on the upstream leg. Matt gave a quick safety briefing then, according to our confidence, we either seal…

On Sunday 14th of November 15 Nomad members and a friend travelled to Sandy in Bedfordshire to paddle the river Ivel, famous for its weirs and fishermen. A trip report will follow, but in the mean time here are some photo and video highlights of the trip. Well done to everyone for getting down the high weir without a single swimmer!Thanks Ian for organising and leading this great trip. Martin showing us how it's done on the high weir Simon was unusually restrained on the trip. Too long at the 19th hole the suspected cause! Tony's paddling had come on a million miles since he was last on the Ivel, his first club trip and this time he was going for everything. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F0Nc-EZRY0o

On Sunday 8th of August eight Nomads led by Matt met at Donnington bridge on the Thames west of Oxford for a scenic trip up the Cherwell through the centre of Oxford. Simon who was meant to be leading the trip unfortunately couldn't make it as he'd been pinged by his COVID app a couple of days earlier and had to miss his own trip! The weather forecast was grim - 60% chance of rain every hour for the whole day - so it was with a mixture of trepidation and resignation and plenty of waterproofs that we put into the Thames and started dodging rowing boats on our way upstream to the Cherwell. Five of the group were on their first Nomad club trip, but all paddled strongly as…

On Sunday 13th of June seven Nomads and a friend led by Simon paddled from Wargrave through the Hennerton backwater to Henley and on to the Aston slipway. On a day set for scorching temperatures parking was at a premium. Lots of enthusiasts were taking to the water in SUPs, canoes and inflatables and a multitude of bikes to avoid meant we had to be patient. Thank you to the tenant of the Flower Pot pub for letting some of us park in her overflow car park. After parking, shuttling back with masks and a safety briefing we started off dead on time at 10.45am to head down the Hennerton backwater, marvelling at the size of the houses and agreeing they were not for us as there would be too…