The weekend 30th-31st May was the highlight of IOPCC’s
month. Ken Baillie carefully planned the Club trip to
Thurlestone in the South Hams of Devon. This was such a
great weekend enjoyed by 11 members. Ken had got it all
organised and the whole trip went perfectly. Even the
weather was great.
Most people met at Dorchester Tesco’s and travelled down in
convoy to the Car Park at Aveton Gifford where we were due
to launch at 14.00. This was at about half tide and we had
to walk with our boats floating along for the first few
hundred meters or so before there was enough water to
paddle. The sheltered estuary was very beautiful with lots
of birds and an ebbing tide to float down on. At Bantham the
pace of the tide quickened as we wound our way past the
thatched boat house and between the moored boats. As we
reached the mouth of the river we came out of the shelter
and felt the Force 5 easterly wind. The waves were
substantial in the entrance and we were in the company of
kite surfers who were often spectacularly airborne. As usual
there were a couple of larger waves which some people got
trashed by – but everyone stayed upright.
Once out onto the ocean we headed inshore to appreciate the
spectacular coastline and to try to get out of the full
force of the wind, which was gusting up to 25 knots. It was
a hot sunny day out of the wind and the beaches were very
busy with holidaymakers. We had hoped to camp on a beach at
Thurlestone but we carried on to Hope Cove where we stopped
for an ice cream. Cate decided she was a little warm and had
a swim on the way in. Hugh valiantly went to her rescue.
Ken had a chat with the Harbour Master at Hope Cove and
agreed that it was OK for us to camp around the corner from
the main beach. It was just a 5-minute paddle away but very
secluded as it could only be reached by boat. We set up camp
there and enjoyed food, drink, a fire and good company in a
beautiful location with perfect weather. It was Clive’s 60th
birthday so we all enjoyed the cake Hilary had made for the
occasion. Even a half moon and the stars came out to join
us.
An uneventful night led to a perfect morning. Our leader had
said the plan was OTW 9am sharp. Such was the enthusiasm and
organisation of the group that we were ready to go at 08.15
– so we did. The wind had dropped and it was a perfect blue
day. As the tide was flooding we were able to paddle through
Thurlestone Rock which is an arch . After this the group
split as 4 paddlers stayed inshore to rock hop whilst the
rest of the group carried on out to go around Burgh Island.
Ken had arranged VHF communication channels in advance so
there were no worries and we all met up at
Challaborough for a leisurely brunch.
Once again Kens planning was perfect and we were able to
paddle across the bar, which links Burgh Island to Bigbury
at high water. It was good fun to paddle our boats across
with people paddling across.
There was some waves and surf to be enjoyed on our way back
into the Avon estuary. The tide was weakly flooding up the
estuary and we had a leisurely paddle back up to Aveton
Gifford accompanied by jumping fish, egrets, herons and
swans. This was an excellent club trip, carefully and
meticulously organised by Ken and enjoyed by us all.
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| Leaving Aveton Gifford |
Thatched boathouse at Bantham |
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| Paddling out avoiding the
kite-surfers |
Camping near Hope Cove |
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| Barbecue and beer on the beach |
Hilary's latent pyromania finds
an outlet. |
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First Stella of the day
7.52am! Brave man! |
Clive |
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| Thurlestone Rock. |
Crossing the sand bar at Burgh
Island |
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| Most of the group at
Thurlestone Rock. |
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