The forecast was both varied and variable in the week leading up to my Hebridean trip. High pressure was going to be in the North Atlantic, then over Scandinavia. Snow and strong winds were on then off then on again. The only constant was that it would be cold and the winds northerly. I took the canoe anyway. It had been nearly twenty years since I was last on Lewis, and while most of this trip would be a photographic holiday with friends, I had a few days I could tack on at the front to fulfil a desire long in the making, to paddle in the very heart of the island, on Loch Langabhat. The name is Norse, though spelled in Gaedhlig, roughly translating as the Long Water. And it is long, twelve kilometres or more along its crooked course to its head cradled by the mountains of Harris. Linked with the string of lochs and rivers of the Grimersta system, it makes a varied expedition with a remote atmosphere. The weather in Ullapool was amazing and after an easy crossing of the Continue Reading
Midsummer on the Mexborough Loop
After several months of trying, I managed to find a canoe for a friend to replace the rather too heavy VP16 he had bought from me as his first boat. The prospector style was what he wanted, but being considerably lighter-built than me, he needed something he could handle more easily off the water. So we were both very pleased when a tuff stuff Nova Craft prospector came up on Song of the Paddle. This was to be his first outing in the new boat. The Mexborough loop is one I know well, a combination of a relatively modern industrial waterway and a backwater on the River Don. We put in as usual by Mexborough top lock, heading up the Kilnhurst cut to the top of the backwater. It was a hot, still day, the height of summer. Flowers abounded along the banks of the cut, insects buzzed in the heat, and our paddles were the only thing disturbing the water. We made leisurely progress, as Brent got used to the different handling of the new boat. Before long we came to the Continue Reading
Derwentwater Delight
Back in April, we were just coming out of the long winter lockdown. In the two weeks since restrictions had been eased to allow more than local trips, I had reacquainted myself with waterways not too far from home but not really 'on the doorstep'. Overnight stays away from home were now allowed, and I had a few days free mid-week, so it was with considerable excitement that I readied my kit for an overnight trip on Derwentwater. Its another familiar trip for me, but one I always enjoy. It was also the first time I would have a camping load in the northwind solo, so I was looking forward to testing it out. Arriving at the lakeside carpark late in the morning, I was lucky enough to find a parking space. Plenty of cars parked up, but not very many people on the water. The weather was holding true to the forecast, sunny with light winds, ideal for paddling.The view southwards up Borrowdale was enticing as ever, but I decided that this time I was going to vary my usual routine and make a Continue Reading
The birthday boat
A review of the Northstar Northwind Solo canoe Last year, I passed a milestone birthday. My present to myself, with a contribution from my father, was a new canoe, a Northstar Northwind Solo. Here in the UK, solo boats seem to be a bit of a niche product. The majority of boats I see on the water and asked about on internet forums are tandem boats that will in all likelihood spend a lot of time paddled by just one person. There are now a handful of dedicated solo designs around from mainstream suppliers, and Northstar are I think beginning to gain some traction. They are known for their selection of solo boats which represent an evolution on previous established designs from Bell canoes. (No real surprise there given the owner and inspiration for Northstar used to run Bell.) I have owned my northwind solo now for four months or so and thought it about time to write a review. These are billed as a general-purpose solo boat by Northstar and are supplied in a variety of Continue Reading
Mist on the Water
https://vimeo.com/477838270 A short trip in my new Northstar Northward Solo in magical misty conditions on Underbank Reservoir Back in July I ordered a new canoe, as a 50th Birthday present. I wanted to move to a lighter, solo touring boat and after a fair bit of research settled on Northstar canoes, imported into the UK by Marsport. They have perhaps one of the widest ranges of solo canoes available in the UK, and they and their precursors, Bell canoes, have a reputation for good design and good workmanship. They also produce some excellent lightweight lay-ups. I chose the IXP version, not the lightest they offer, but touted as very hardwearing, and still substantially lighter than any of my other boats. A few months after ordering, it arrived at Marsport. I was able to collect it in a brief window before the autumn lockdown began, and got out on my local waters several times through November. This trip, even though it was just to my local reservoir, was made into something Continue Reading