River Thames - Cricklade to Lechlade

[Neil TNC]

Last week, TNC finally finished off the missing bit of the "navigable" Thames, with a paddle from Cricklade to Lechlade.

Conditions were perfect, reeds died back, level up slighlty and a reasonable day, weather wise. We managed to do the whole lot without resorting to getting out of the canoe / walking.

Really an exploratory for a powered trip up / down next spring...anyone else interested, with a suitable "craft"?

We now have access to an ally Dory / small outboard / chainsaw.

Cricklade canoe trip Linky

[GUMPY]

And who was it that capsized?

Wish there was a picture of that

[Neil TNC]

Just how we managed it in a foot of water, I don't know. If it was not for Ian Clarke's waterproof bag thingy, clamped on our Canadian canoe, there would not have been any images. The amusing bit was me chasing our packed lunch down the river. Ian thought it was something to do with going broadside against the flow. The first bit coming out of Cricklade, was like a Disneyland flume.

There was no signs of our past barging up there, everything had (very much) "healed over". The 60ft TNC winding point (in view of the guaging station aerial at Hannington) was still there and clear, for people that want to try to narrowboat / barge to Hannington Bridge.