Wolvercote Circuit with A Thames Twist
Sunday morning 25.02.24 started with a heavy frost and a blanket of mist, neither of which were good omens for kayaking the Thames. However, led by Dave H, we headed to Oxford to paddle the Wolvercote circuit, something we had done before. No dogs were brought on this trip as it was simply too cold and the Thames flow would make it more challenging.
Driving towards the start we passed many flooded fields and flood plains before reaching the get in point. The Thames had red warnings on it and was flowing very fast. It was much wider and deeper past the pub, and indeed all the way down. The first check of the day (from above) was where water flowed under a two arch bridge and the various flows met and caused turbulence beyond. It looked interesting but when tackled shortly afterwards, going through the centre of the arch, was absolutely fine.
Of course, being a Dave trip, the mist lifted and the sun then came out as the Thames scurried us along. Lots of adjacent fields were acting like flood plains and, as can be seem in some pictures, in some places the river was several hundred metres wide! The red warning meant that we portaged some locks rather than be allowed through but nothing was too difficult.
The Thames flow took us quickly down to Sheepwash Cut where we disembarked to portage onto the Oxford canal for a more sedate return journey through an urban area. It was an interesting mix of old and new on the canal. We passed lots of houses, flats, houseboats and several ’swing’ bridges on the way. We eventually found a nice park for lunch and even passed a loo on the canal side! We saw lots of walkers and engaged in conversations with them even without the draw of Phil’s two dogs.
After a long haul up the Oxford Canal were the artwork was amazing, we entered Dukes Cut to return to the Thames. While relaunching a black cat walked across the lock gates to join us. Being the last to relaunch I had to push it away from my boat a few times as it tried to get on board with me. The cut was flowing against us so made the paddling more difficult but we eventually got back to the Thames.
Here we met a far more difficult challenge as the cut enters the Thames near King’s lock after the split between lock and weir, and not too far from the weir. As the lock was closed the water was funnelled down towards the Weir and was much stronger than anything else seen up to then. We set off against the flow on a very tough paddle away from the weir, ferry gliding as much as possible. Dave and Phil headed around the lock/weir separation boundary while I chose to get across and then use a portage exit a few metres further down. It was a very tough paddle and certainly had us all thinking about our options and staying focussed on getting across quickly and safely.
After portaging the lock, we now had more swirling Thames to do to return to the Trout Inn. The getting on/disembarking point was near a scaffolding pier and an old cruiser which presented a challenge. We discussed how best to tackle returning to it with the flow as strong as it was. The plan we used was working closely alongside craft on the Port side of the river, before entering the bank just adjacent to the pier as the water was funnelling in-between the pier and the boat. It worked well for all three of us and we safely disembarked.
We retired to the Trout for a beer, three scruffs surrounded by the smart locals, and debriefed the trip.
Lessons learned:
Coffee is more useful if not left in your car. (me)
Hazel bushes can be very unpleasant if part of an eddy.
Video cameras work better when switched on, and you press record.
When switched on they operate better if the battery is charged.
Overall a good day, with some challenging paddling in good company.
Write up by Chris H.