The Magnificent Severn/Seven

 Report by Mike Clarke

Last Saturday morning, June 22nd, a group of us set off for a 4 day open boat adventure on the River Severn.

On day one we launched in glorious sunshine at Ironbridge, immediately negotiating  Jackfield Rapids, without incident, before paddling  down through Bridgnorth and onto the Unicorn Inn  campsite at Hampton Loade ….the whistles on the steam train along the Severn Valley Railway keeping us company. 

 

Sunday we paddled on, taking in liquid refreshments at the Ship Inn and a mile or two further downstream, ice creams at Upper Arley post office, before moving on down to Bewdley for a late lunch at The Mug House Riverside Inn before paddling on to Stourport. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Monday morning we had a leisurely rise and drove up to Ironbridge where we had a very pleasant tour of the village and stopped to examine the ironwork spanning the bridge built in 1779.  Eley’s legendary pork pies and pastries helped us on our journey. We went down to launch at the Severn Park in Bridgnorth where, for the second time, we had to negotiate height restrictions, which prevented the van, loaded with canoes, from getting into the car park. Therefore, we unloaded the van outside, putting the canoes onto the roof of Gary’s car, in order to access the car park.  We then had a gentle paddle back to the Unicorn campsite taking in the wildlife and weaving around the anglers. 

Stand up company for the photo only.

Thanks to Nigel Davies for organising the trip

Nigel, Gary, Roger,Mike, Paul and Martin 

Gary, Roger and myself used a couple of the club open boats. We were joined by friends of Nigel’s to make up the party. Allan came over for the first day, but being a working lad had to get back ready for the following week. Paul was the quartermaster and Martin the Joker in the pack. We made new friends and strengthened relationships along the way. 

Don’t be shy to sign up for the next BCC trip.