Down the Severn kayakday11 Sat Sep28 Lower Lode to Gloucester lock 13m120

The muddy banks of the Severn became higher, the landing points fewer.
Over the prior few days and especially today my technique for getting out and back in to the kayak at high fishing platforms improved a lot  - -  an ability that would be tested later.
Again, an interesting chat on distances with a local at a waterfront holiday mobile home:
I "How far to Gloucester ?"
He "About 9 mile"
I "How far back to Lower Lode"
He "About  9 mile"
Lower Lode to Gloucester is 13 miles.
At Upper Parting, took the East Channel to Gloucester lock.
Here I was to hand the kayak back to the hire company.
Here was also a problem.   The only way out was up a steep muddy stone staircase in the wharf wall, with no hand rail.    With no tying up point either, the river flow became very noticeable.   By eventually standing up in the kayak, and maintaining station by holding the steps just through friction, I stepped ashore without losing the kayak.   Then came the 20ft haul up the slippery steps.
A pint to celebrate.
End of cruise.  

Down the Severn kayakday10 Fri Sep27 Upton to Lower Lode 8m107

This stretch of the Severn is slow running with no bridges but several pubs on the Welsh side.
I was making for the one at Lower Lode.
I was passed by the three narrow boats from two days ago travelling side by side, this time freely, the smallest one having been repaired.   They said they would tell the Upper Lode lock keeper that I was on my way.
At the lock entrance, I was hidden from the view of the keeper's control room, by the height of the gates above the low level of the river.   A helpful grass cutter relayed my need and through I went.

Looking up to the Lower Lode Inn from the floating jetty.

Here, no flood defences have been built and in 2009 the Severn reached the white sign above the front door.   Much beer was spoilt.

Down the Severn kayakday09 Thu Sep26 Worcester to Upton11m99

Took a morning stroll.
The bridge and cathedral

An interesting waterhole from the night before

After a mile of paddling came to the Diglis lock, where an unwilling keeper, citing water conservation, was persuaded to allow me through with the argument that he was losing water over the bypass weir anyway..
Wending through the open countryside, the Malvern hills came into view.
I received an enigmatic response from one fisherman
when I asked "How far to Upton ?"
he replied "You're about halfway there."
Arrived at Upton where flood defences had now been built following recent years' calamities.

Down the Severn kayakday08 Wed Sep25 Stourport to Worcester 13m88

From Stourport down the river is controlled by locks  - -  no more rapids, but frequent barge traffic.
Three locks today.
At Lincomb lock, a barge, whose driver I'd chatted to the night before, was just entering, so I tucked in behind that.  
At Holt lock, I unloaded my cargo, to enable me to carry the kayak round the lock, but on investigation found it was going to be a very long portage.   Just then two barges arrived, again with pilots I'd met the night before, and again I was allowed to use the lock.   This time it was a tight fit, and when it came time to leave, I had some worrying moments caught between their prop wash and the lock sill, but avoided being swamped.
These two barges were roped side by side, larger pulling the smaller with a broken drive train, so their speed was not much greater than mine.   I met up with them again at Bevere lock and we went through together again.
Arriving in Worcester, I had to contend with many racing scullers practising up and down the river, none of them looking where they were going.
In between it was quite relaxing.

Down the Severn kayakday07 Tue Sep24 Bewdley to Stourport 4m75

Just a short hop today.   A few riffles.    No crises.
Warm, overcast, anglers aplenty.    Off the water around midday.

Down the Severn kayakday06 Mon Sep23 Bridgnorth to Bewdley 14.3m71

Found Bridgnorth had a cliff railway

Rode it to the top

and had a view over Bridgnorth

 

The yellow spot on the landing stage by the rowing club is my kayak.

Set of paddling to Bewdley.   I'd forgotten about the string I'd got form J.
At my first break, on climbing out, I let go of the paddles, and by the time I'd realised this, they were floating away downstream.    I pushed the kayak along in the shallows, but then had to go out of my depth with the kayak to reach the paddles.    I got back to the shore supported by the kayak and swimming with my sailing trousers and wellingtons on.   I then did what I should have before, and tied the paddles to the kayak.

Resumed paddling, through a few riffles and avoiding the anglers' lines.  
After twelve miles hit the Eymore rapids, and shot through touching a few stones underneath, but without grounding.
Moored up in Bewdley alongside the river wall at a set of steps directly below my b&b for the night.
Another night of clothes drying underway.

Down the Severn kayakday05 Sun Sep22 Ironbridge to Bridgnorth 8.5m56

Today's main challenge was the Jackfield rapids, which had gained more flow overnight.
Walked the 300metres of the main one planning two routes.
    Plan A: shoot the rapids
    Plan B: at the last exit point take the kayak out of the water and carry it past
Cautiously got through a preliminary light rapid then got to the decision point.    Here I could now see there were six expert kayakers practising up and down the rapids zipped into stubby white water kayaks, very different from my open cockpit touring kayak.    So I now had
    Plan C: as plan A but if shipwrecked, be rescued by the experts.
Success, shot the rapids.   Took in no more than two litres of white water.

Paddled on down the gorge, negotiating some minor rapids, but by missing the signs of one submerged rock, only just avoided it and wreckage.   Dodged many anglers and fly fishers.    Came ashore at the Bridgnorth rowing club.    Sent the prior night's b&b keys back.

Down the Severn day04 Fri Sep20 Riverside Inn to Ironbridge 10m47

Slightly overcast start then sunny for most of the day,
Ongoing repair work around the foot of the Cressage bridge gave me a tight artificial slalom, partially against the flow, to negotiate.
Enjoyed the many meanderings here of the Severn, learning how to see the best currents, and choosing the better side of islands to steer.
Besides the usual ducks and swans, passed a flock of many geese, then a couple of herons.  Many anglers and a couple of fly fishers.
Entered the gorge, passed under the Ironbridge and landed above some rapids close to the Robin Hood, my b&b for two nights
View of the Ironbridge from the bank.

 

Down the Severn day03 Thu Sep19 Uffington to riverside Inn 10m37

Waited for a while for the rain to stop then launched at 1010
River very low.   Learnt how to spot ahead riffles (small rapids), avoid rocks and gravel shallows, and choose where the flow is best.
Followed the downloaded guide and steered the right way round Wroxeter island.
Secured the kayak below the Riverside Inn, and clambered the steep muddy nettled 50ft bank to its terrace.
View of the bend in the Severn from the terrace

view of the 1740 Inn from the terrace

x

Down the R Severn day02 Wed Sep18 Grange Isle to Uffington 12m27

Lazy start, got away at about 1100
Pleasant paddling weather: sunshine with a few sprinkles, warm enough to be hatless on the river.
Many ducks and swans, and a few cormorants.
Cruised through the attractive centre of Shrewsbury, where I passed a couple paddling upstream in a double kayak, then a large local tour boat.  
Negotiated the weir by pulling out the kayak, then relaunching below the weir.
Pulled into a soft muddy bank below the church at Uffington, got wet feet, then 100m further on found a good landing below my B&B.   The Corbett Arms sits high above a bend in the river with views looking W over the spires in the trees of Shrewsbury.

Down the R Severn day01 Tue Sep17 CrewGreen to Grange Isle 15

Pam of Backwaters delivered the hired kayak and helped me get started by 11:00
Rained almost all day  - -  my clothing kept me dry and warm.
Found I'd not brought with me the phone number of my B&B, phoned M for help, missed M.
Overshot the point I should have stopped, eventually realised that, turned round, and paddled back 1.5 miles upstream to it.
Capsized while trying to get out and up a steep bank  - -  righted the kayak, phone now dead, I now sodden.
Walked to the Grange, was warmly received by E, who then drove me back to the site of the kayak.
With me chest deep in water and E pulling we managed to lift the kayak, laden with water, up the bank, empty it, then drove with it to the Grange.
Marvelous hot shower. R put my clothes through the washer/dryer, and hung my sailing gear to dry.
Lovely supper, good company, welcome bed.