This trip was mainly to do the planning for another AquaPaddle that is planned to start in Jan 2024.
The plan initially was as a second location to our Tring AP, but yet may be set up and run as a standalone Bedfordshire venue.
We had to measure the 2.5k each way distance and also it was a nice opportunity to take some photos and meet a few people.
From davepaddles we had Dave, Clare, John and Monika. along with Mike, Deb and a few others from A1 Sup Hire whose names elude me.
After our Minutes silence at 11am we decided to split into 2 groups, it was a rather grey start to the day as England hadn’t really seen any sunlight for the last week.
Dave Clare and John set of measuring whilst the others set off in the other direction looking for a photo opportunity whilst we were all just enjoying being out on the water.
We had had some conversations from other paddlers about various events going on in the area, so we were well aware, and it was great communications and networking between the different activity leaders and organisers.
Photos were taken rather quickly with the potential start point pub in the background, A fullers Pub called The Grove Lock Inn, who are happy to accommodate us.
Daves side of the lock was obviously sunnier and brighter than the upstream side, but due to the glare on the water, it was hard to capture on camera. 🙂
We found exactly 2.5K and a marker for an AP turn around point.
It was just past the Tesco visitor moorings.
Dave Clare and John practiced some ‘Brace’ strokes as well as ‘draw’ strokes and some ‘sculling draw’ strokes at this point before retracing their paddle back towards the Grove.
It was nice to meet the LBCC club on passing their ‘end of race’ point and a nice place to stop and chat.
After a story about how Dave once fell in, we returned to the Grove Pub and as a get out exercise John exited via a tethered barge, whilst Clare decided to go it herself, throwing paddle ashore and pulling her spray deck it wasn’t long before she was sat on the back of her boat, at that point Dave asked “are you ok?” Yes! she replied with a pause followed by an eek and over she went, in the drink.
Not really needing a rescue she was soon out realising these things can happen at any time and a little more care could have been applied. 🙂
We all got changed and retreated to the pub for refreshments, (Dave Clare and John were happy to get out of the sun for a while) 🙂
All in all, another great day out on the water, making friends and enjoying what we do.
Write up by Dave H