Micro adventure-river paddling A quick over nighter down the river Waveney.
We are lucky being so close to the coast and right on the doorstep of the river Waveney an evening paddle down the river cannot be missed.
Kit all packed in the car for a overnighter we leave from the sailing club at Beccles and head down towards Geldeston.
The plan was to stealth camp on the river bank as I had previously seen an area.
Now wild camping in the uk is not the norm. There are only a few places where this is legal or a blind eye is turned such as Dartmoor or certain places in Scotland.
We are unfortunate not to have the ability to wild camp but lots do and are very caring about the places they camp and I wish it was so that we could but hey ho it’s the UK.
Setting Off on our Micro adventure-river paddling
So canoe loaded with supplies we head down the river from Beccles towards Geldeston.
This is where the river ceases to become navigable to boats and home of the Geldeston Locks a fantastic Pub.
We did cheat as we took the battery powered trolling motor which sits on the side of the canoe.
This is great for getting back from the pub or assisting when the boys are ‘too tired!’.
We where lucky as we had accidently timed it perfectly as the river was on the flood so it was easy paddling down for our Micro adventure-river paddling.
The Camp
The place I had thought about camping on was a no go so we had to revert to plan B at the three rivers campsite.
Initial plan was to setup a shelter using the canoe and a dd hammocks tarp.
I had a configuration in my head and it went ok considering it was my first time with this configuration.
The idea was to Peg the tarp at two corners behind the canoe. I would then bring it over canoe and support with two paddles supported by guy lines.
This worked well but canoe needed supporting with two poles at a slight slant to stop it from moving.
We had taken our frontier stove to Cook of instant noodles and a handful of polish sausage to grill over the flames.
The frontier stove I brought about 8 years ago from Anevay and has been the talk of many a campsite over the years even made a camping magazine at one point.
So we cooked our food and the boys filled themselves up on s’mores and within 10 minute the little one was asleep outside.
It is amazing how this one sleeps so well outdoors.
I took my Uco Gear candle light which I absolutely love using. With a 9 hour candle this gives just enough light in case the boys wake up.
Early rise in the morning, breakfast cooked and camp packed away.
Back down the river to load everything onto the car and head home.
This little trip was only about 18hrs in total but it was a great little trip