Nomad’s Christmas paddle began at Wokingham Waterside Centre, where we arrived full of festive spirit and an impressive assortment of boats, buoyancy aids, and Santa hats. Kit was sorted, vehicles were shuffled in a well-organised shuttle to the get-out point, and the younger members debated one of the day’s most important questions: whether their Yule log should be consumed on the river or saved for later.
We set off down the Thames in conditions that were far better than expected, fuelled by jelly babies and seasonal optimism. Nigel and Tony made the most of the moving water, demonstrating ferry gliding and breaking in and out for those newer to flowing rivers, while giving others a chance to practise and refine their skills. Meanwhile, some of the polo players, clearly suffering ball withdrawal, managed to find one to play with and restore a sense of normality.
Turning off the Thames and onto St Patrick’s Stream, Santa hats were swapped for helmets as the river narrowed and the obstacles increased. We wove our way through trees and bends, enjoying the character of the stream and indulging in a bit of festive nosiness at the impressive riverside properties along the banks.
After lunch, we rejoined the Thames for a relaxed and sociable paddle downstream, rounding off the day with an easy cruise to the pub — the perfect end to a Christmas paddle.
A big thank you to Chris and Anton for organising the trip, to Nigel and Tony for the coaching and encouragement on the water, and to all the drivers who made the shuttle run smoothly. A great festive outing in better-than-expected weather and excellent company. 🎄🛶
