On a sunny Sunday afternoon in late April a small group paddled the River Ivel from Sandy to Tempsford in Bedfordshire. Ian Walker led the trip as he has done several times before.
It was a small group of 4 this time with Chris, Anton, Rob & Ian.
We set off to get to the first sloping weir, this only after 20 mins paddling in the sun, we took the old mill stream river, which a right fork instead of going down the sloping weir. This was pretty paddle with no blockages at this time of year and then ran the old mill race fast at the end back into the main river, Fun!
After an hour or so paddling, then it is the big high drop of nearly 2 metres in height. After an off water inspection, 3 of us ran it, with Anton deciding not to tempt his luck and did a high seal launch portage around instead.
After yet more sunny picturesque river paddling came to the Lunch time weir stop at Blunham.
After packed lunch at nice round bench and table here, Ian played in the stopper a bit.
Then more relaxed paddling past many swans and other birdlife, but no aggressive birds on this paddle, which was a relief.
At the final 2 weirs close together as get to Tempsford, we all ran the weirs with caution, then Ian played in bottom. He went over took a roll and nearly failed as he had somehow set his new VE multiset blade to a wrong Lefthand setting, so had to try a 2nd time and succeeded getting up, big relief.
A very enjoyable paddle & I was the only one to get wet.😅
We picked up small amount of litter off the river, leaving the river better than we found it.
We paddled on to where the river Ivel joins the Great Ouse River and then the ‘get-out’ is on River right onto a farmer’s field. Caution to get under electric fence required, but the mass of cows were luckily up at the main farm for milking , so just we just had to avoid the fresh cow pats.
Then it was a change in the sun and homeward bound in 2 cars all tired and happy
