Alexander Devine Children’s Cancer Trust - Pete and Warren's Big Paddle 2007

The Gory Details...

Wed 15th August
Up at 05.30 to ferry participants, boats and gear to start point, finally on the water at 08.20 then 2 ½ hours battling through fallen trees until Brunch (sarnies) in the sun at Lechlade. We’re both struggling to put our spraydecks on. Torrential rain most of the following 9 hours through wilderness of the upper reaches, punctuated by the odd cheery lock-keeper but hardly any traffic until Oxford finally came into view at dusk. Curry and pints as antidote to muscle fatigue and ‘worst of 1970’s style’ B&B.

Thu 16th August
There’s nothing like the feeling of cold damp kit on tired limbs, but no rain today! Powered away towards Abingdon (snack courtesy of Darryl) then on to home territory of Wallingford to a most welcome lunch courtesy of Doris. An elbow injury at Pangbourne threatened to curtail the trip, but mysteriously recovered. Larger boats starting to become a problem and hurling abuse did not slow them down! The ambitious target of Hambleden faded with the light and after struggling through clouds of insects in pitch dark, finally dumped boats in Wargrave 21.30 to find a pint, taxi, steak supper and bed at Warren’s place.

Fri 17th August
Full English at 07.30 and lift back to boats (thank you Suzy) then glorious progress through Henley, Hambleden, Harleyford, Hurley to drink stop at Marlow. Beautiful river past Cliveden marred only by the activities of 40 foot cruiser ‘Gormless’, then to awkward portage at Boulters Lock (to the amusement of onlookers). Having survived several ‘yellow board’ warnings, we received our first written ‘red board’ caution. Curiously, the river seemed flat as a mill pond, until ‘Gormless’ sped past again at 50 knots, to torrent of abuse. Past historic Runnymede and yet more saddo fishermen right under the M3 bridge. Debs, John, Fiona and families constituted the official ‘Welcome’ party at Windsor (Her Majesty was otherwise engaged) and there was a photocall with the local Press, resplendent in our charity T-shirts. Having struggled to meet that deadline, the pressure was off and we limped on to Staines, succumbing at 19.45 to the welcoming sight of beers food and soft beds in a riverside hotel.

Sat. 18th August
07.30 start and ‘only’ 16.5 miles to go though a hard slog nevertheless and psychologically challenging. The tedium, aches and pains were relieved only by the thought of the finish line and the wonderfully varied architecture lining the banks (from pebbledash semi’s with ornate wrought iron gazebos to mock Tudor monstrosities, then Hampton Court itself). No stream to assist, but overtook another boat for the first time: a nine year old rowing his Dad and Sister. Under Kingston Bridge then powered on home to reachTeddington at 12.25, official end of the river (after that it’s officially the sea, and too dangerous for us!). Eight more hours of trains, buses and cars brought participants and canoes back to their respective homes.

Some random facts
Birdlife spotted: 3 Kingfishers, umpteen Shags (two diving), 239Herons, 1 alluring lady lock-keeper, 3 green parrots (!)
Anglers lines snagged: 2,957. Crews of large boats abused: too many to count. Boats overtaken: 1. Average speed ONLY 3.3 mph, but includes time wasted at locks, either waiting or carrying. Cheery lock-keepers; 5, Miserable ones: 33, Absent: 6. Do not enter Staines on a Friday night if you are of a sensitive disposition. Spraydecks are impossible to put on when wearing gloves, and just incredibly difficult otherwise. Waterproof bags are not actually waterproof.

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