Paddling on the River Earn
Stand up Paddle Boards from our door.
We had a great day on the River Earn just beside us, on the Stand up paddle Boards (SUPs).
We’re grateful to Adam at Willowgate Activity Centre nearby for the use of the boards.
We tried to time the tides so that we wouldn’t have to do much work.
Low tide was at 12 noon, so we headed off around 10.40am. First rookie mistake, we came to the rocks which are exposed at low tide. No problem though. We lifted the boards over the rocks and carried on down river.
Low tide was at 12 noon, so we headed off around 10.40am. First rookie mistake, we came to the rocks which are exposed at low tide. No problem though. We lifted the boards over the rocks and carried on down river.
Then we progressed to standing up (round of applause)
It was glorious. The girls sat down and took outer layers off and paddled in their cozzies.
The scenery was beautiful. I know this as I’ve often walked here, but haven’t been on the water for a while. It was like the Rainforest – lots of bird chatter, evidence of beaver (we later saw him in the flesh when he plopped into the water just near to us). We saw 2 heron just hanging around in the water before taking flight as we approached.
It was so peaceful just floating down the river with hardly an effort.
After a couple of hours we started to get peckish, so we about-turned and headed back upriver.
Well … not so peaceful now with the tide not quite turned, and we were working against the current and the wind picked up a bit for a while. It was hard work on the shoulders and upper back. We stopped for a rest though and a bit of sunbathing too.
Most of us fell in at some point but we were straight back on the board, paddling away.
After a while, the tide was with us again and we romped home, exiting the water practically outside our house. A hearty late lunch was devoured with gusto.
