Fab day with mixed weather and gusty winds on the Gloucester & Sharpness canal

A unplanned cycle around some of the scenic parts of Bristol @JonnyC: Having booked a day off work, and only having commitments to book end the day, I couldn't justify taking a boat out solo, so threw the bike in the van instead. Starting out from Greville Smythe Park, I proceeded to attempt a few geocaches and an adventurelab, enjoying the sunshine and generally taking it steady. A visit to Brunel's other bridge got me chatting to an older lady who recalled racing across the bridge to get to work i ...

A sunny afternoon practicing paddling in the Pelican before the majority paddled the Canal to the pub

Paddle on the Gloucester to Sharpness canal, lovely weather to start, but blighted by high winds after lunch @JonnyC: Today was a solo paddle in the Pelican starting out again at Purton, but this time heading North toward Patch Swing Bridge. The outward journey went well, trying to improve efficiency and practice paddling on the left hand, averaged about 3.5km/h which is still slow, but feeling a bit more natural and taking less concentration. Jumping out at Patch Bridge, the Black Shed cafe was ...

More practice paddling the Pelican solo, good weather, about 5.5km plus meanderings @JonnyC: Headed to the kayak shop near Dursley for some advice, and then onward to Purton to put in on the Gloucester and Sharpness canal. After 20 mins chatting to a kayaker on the bank, opted for the short journey South to Sharpness. A good paddle practicing techniques, mostly in control today even if efficiency isn't with me yet. Strava failed totally at capturing the trip accurately, but I would guesstimate ...

Sunny solo paddle in my newly acquired Pelican Canadian Canoe @JonnyC: A solo paddle in Saltford to try and get a grasp on a j stroke to be able to move a canoe with some element of control. Unloading and loading the van was a challenge, which was managed with a careful rear offload, a loading bar would help, or maybe just greater upper body strength! A really relaxing paddle, and managed to get a basic grasp of controlling the craft, although based upon my speed and effort, I don't think I am c ...

Day 2 of Danka experiencing the K1 on the Thames in mild cloudy weather @JonnyC: Enthused by her positive experience the previous day, there was no waiting for crowds to clear (not that the crowds gathered particularly on the BH Monday), but our compressed timelines for the day limited our water time slightly. We agreed to head upstream to focus on honing some skills, DK practicing her paddling techniques, and JC challenging himself to leave the skeg up and refine his craft handling. Arrival at St ...

Danka's first try in a K1, on the Thames near Lechlede, in mild cloudy weather. @JonnyC: With trepidation about her first k1 experience, DK favoured waiting until the crowds subsided at our wild camp spot / launch spot, which took a while given how busy it was on a Bank Holiday Sunday (the Wharf was stacked full of vehicles the whole time). JC selfishly abandoned the new entrant bankside, so he could stretch his (kayaking) legs. Eventually the crowds subsided and DK took to the water, heading upst ...

A Wednesday evening trip to Pierre's Pot, nice explore hunting for the bypass. @JonnyC: Grateful to be invited out with the Wednesday crew, especially to a long awaited tick off of Pierre's Pot. We collectively aimed to find the bypass, albeit others focused more on route finding whilst I was distracted capturing some clips. We found a likely contender for the bypass, but not a route that looked inviting without route confirmation, thus a return is necessitated. Glad to visit Pierres, but also ...

Exploring the wonderful Savernake forest, around 15km walked