Kentish Stour Sunday 23rd April 2017

[Tharlow]

I am organising a trip on the River Stour in Kent from Grove Ferry to Fordwich and return on Sunday 23 April.

Meet at boathouse at 8.30
Leave by 9.00.
Arrive Grove Ferry Car Park (CT3 4BP) (61 miles) 10.15.
There is a £2 parking charge, toilets and changing rooms.
Launch by 10.30.
HW Grove Ferry 12:56
Paddle 4 miles to arrive at Fordwich 12:15
We will either have lunch in The Fordwich Arms if numbers are small or packed lunch if higher.
I predict tide will turn during this time.
Leave 13:30
Return to Grove Ferry 15:30
Leave 16:00
Return to boathouse by 17:30

Details of last year's trip can be found at
viewtopic.php?f=4&t=1508&start=10
If you are using club equipment, please book at:-
viewtopic.php?f=39&p=5986#p5986

Will be at the boathouse on Saturday to answer any questions you may have.

[Jules]

Sounds good to me. Count me in.

[tun81]

Hi Tim,
I'll be up this trip as well. I'll probably see you at the lake this coming Saturday.
Thanks
Dale

[Sandbag]

Hi Tim,
Sorry can't do this one.
Just a question: will you really be away until Sunday 28th August then?
Sandrine

[Tharlow]

About time someone spotted my deliberate error.
Well done!

I have now amended the post.

[Tharlow]

Julia, Kathleen, Phil, Dale and myself were joined by Stewart and Paul from Maidstone CC and Andrew from Seapoint on a overcast day.
Once under Grove Ferry bridge we found what appeared to be a graveyard for old boats.


With the tide behind us we soon reached the tidal lake.

After this the current was against us and became stronger.

Found an abandoned plastic kayak…




Arrived at Fordwich and had lunch ashore whilst Andrew decided to explore further up river..

...and discovered nothing!

After lunch left and paddled under the old bridge...


and past the landmark church spire.


Return started with the flow very much behind us but slowed down as we reached the tidal lake...


...making the final leg of the return journey quite tiring.


First trip this year that was mud free!