“Believe me, my young friend, there is nothing - absolutely nothing - half so much worth doing as simply messing about in boats.”

[Nick Dennis]

The title above is a quote by Kenneth Grahame the author of the classic novel Wind in the Willows.

Over the hottest weekend of our UK summer so far with temperatures knocking 30 degrees C the UK Chapter met up ay Bolney Ferry Boathouse to paddle Old father Thames and its local backstreams. We were based just upstream of Henley Upon Thames but avoided that section of the river as it is the start of the world famous rowing regatta. Canoes and fast moving rowing eights are not great bedfellows so we stayed upstream in the comfort of the willow shaded backwaters and venturing out onto the main river only when necessary.

We followed Government guidelines to stay hydrated in the hot weather. At the campsite copious amounts of Pimms and river cooled wine and beer were consumed whilst when out paddling the rules say that if you see a pub you must go in; well it would be rude not too so we did....on several occasions. A chilled Guinness is great for paddlers.

The Sunday crew.

The canoe selection

Alicks "Painted Prospector"

At the pub with a lovely slipper launch

Any trying to look interested in Sams 14' Chestnut Prospector

A run down one of the backwaters St Patricks' Stream

Along the main river with some of the run down riverside properties!

Despite the heat a great weekend was had by all. We ate, we drank, we swam, we laughed and we paddled and eventually slept. Roll on the next one.

Cheers from the Wind In The Willows land!

Nick

 

[Todd F]

Nick, one of my first deployments was to Machrihanish Scotland. They too wisely advised the consumption of cooled beverages to protect against over heating. Well done!

 

[Michael Grace]

Nick - do you know the builder of the beautiful slipper-stern powerboat on the left in photo #4?

 

[Gil Cramer]

Sorry I wasn't there. Looks like a " good time was had by all". That's probably not a quote from "Winds in the Willows", or maybe it is.

 

[Nick Dennis]

Here are a few more shots from the weekend. As you can see, conditions were arduous

Alicks canoe by the post for the original Bolney Ferry chain ferry which went from the Lower Shiplake side of the river to the island. There is then a bridge off the island across the Hennerton Backwater.

Andy Gulland in his 1930 Peterborough 16S (restored by me) going with the flow down St Patricks' Stream

Bridge over the River Loddon

The Bower family out in their 1911 Old town Charles River AA Grade (restored by me)

Canoes in the evening shade after a day on the river

A very dangerous drink. You have one which quenches thirst then with the second and third it all goes quickly downhill.

David Millward having a well deserved rest after a warm days paddling

The canoe line up on the banks of the Thames

A bit of ducking and flexibility is needed to get through the red brick bridge at the head of the Hennerton Backwater

The one lock which we had to negotiate. On the Thames they do let canoes through; in other areas you have to "portage"...(Photo John Beresford)

That's all folks.

Civilised paddling at it's best.

Nick

 

[samb]

Nick - do you know the builder of the beautiful slipper-stern powerboat on the left in photo #4?

I think the owner said it was made at Maidenhead. He had bought it in 2010 and restored it. It was nicely done, looking, as most slipper launches do, stylishly elegant without the shouting 'look at me!!' that some restorations have.
Silver Tassie:

 

[Nick Dennis]

I think the owner said it was made at Maidenhead. He had bought it in 2010 and restored it. It was nicely done, looking, as most slipper launches do, stylishly elegant without the shouting 'look at me!!' that some restorations have.
Silver Tassie:View attachment 59347

It was built by Andrew’s of Maidenhead in 1958. Apparently with only a 950cc petrol engine originally according to the boat records.

 

[John Sand]

Is the molded canoe a Max Anderssons?

 

[Michael Grace]

No cold-molded here that I can see. You're probably referring to the cedar rib canoe. This construction method was patented by J.S. Stephenson in Canada (1879) and the US (1883), and was built by several companies including Ontario Canoe Co., Peterborough Canoe Co., Toronto Canoe Co... This is an amazing method of construction and surprisingly robust given that it relies on all the "ribs" mating with tiny tongue and groove joints. The UK Chapter has several cedar rib canoes that can be seen on other outings posted about here. I believe the one in the photos above is a Peterborough. Below is RUTH, one of my Peterboroughs.

 

[samb]

I believe the one in the photos above is a Peterborough.

Correct - this is "Beresford" It was presented to Jack Beresford in 1930 for 'services to sport'. John was an Olympic rower who won medals at 5 consecutive games, including a Gold in front of Hitler in Berlin, beating the German favourites by 2 lengths.

Here is Beresford at the weekend with Jacks son John in the bow and David Milward at the stern; approx 255 combined boat and paddlers

 

[cwf]

Coincidentally, we sculled past Bolney on Sunday, from Henley, in a tub pair. The usual picnic spots were taken but I saw a wood/canvas canoe tied up and wondered if it was you. We stopped opposite the pub at Wargrave - a day for snoozing under the trees in a light breeze, Pimms or not.

Also coincidentally, I finished the Strickland on Friday. Now comes another tricky bit : getting it out of a small workshop, through a full garage, onto a small car and out of London.

Charlie.

 

[alick burt]

A big thank you to all involved for a great weekend.See you all next time!
Alick