Woodencanoes

Arrived at ludham bridge for the annual frostbite meet and went for a paddle.

This week I have been well enough to do some part time work so I have been continued work on Dabchick Canoe No 4 the outside has been sanded, the sheerline trimmed and I removed it from the mould and began scraping the inside :-)

Today with the planking finished I glued on the outer stems and pulled out the staples.

Final few planks fitted to Dabchick no 4

The beginning of another canoe build :-)

I will be taking Peterborough No 1 and Dabchick No 3 so why not come and see how fabulous a wooden canoe looks up close.

Perfect day for a paddle on the Nene in Dabcchick No 3 from Barnwell to Titchmarsh lock and back :-)

Yesterday, Julian Duckham and I went for a Paddle on the Nene from Stibbington to The Queen's Head at Nassington.It was a super flat calm day with lots of kingfishers and other wildlife on view.It was also great to get Peterborough 1 and Dabchick No 3 on the water together :-)

Last weekend Nick Dennis and I took some of our canoes to the The North Walsham and Dilham Canal Trust.open weekend.We were well received and the canoes were much admired :-) Nick got to row in his skiff and sail his Peterborough and i had a play in Dabchick No 3 and put Felix's Canoe (1890's Thomas Gordon) to the test once again.Before I got in she didn't leak at all and after a breif paddle there was still no need for a sponge :-)

120 years old and still floats all be it with a small leak :-).

How many Cygnets? :-)

On Sunday I went for a paddle on the Welland in Stamford.At one end (down river) I found the way was closed off by a what I was told later is a new boom.What purpose does this perform apart from preventing access to the rest of the river?? I then spent the rest of my time collecting rubbish consisting mostly of empty lager cans as some people seem to think the river is where they should be put instead of in waste bins provided!

Yesterday I went further up the Nene than my usual stretch.I started at Denford and paddled up river and up the backwater at Stanwick Lakes.It is quite a long twisty turny backwater and there was plenty of wildlife to see on the way.

On Days 3 and 4 of Canoefest 2019 I enjoyed a Canadian style paddling workshop and a moving forwards workshop.There was also a chance for people to try out other boats and equipment and a raft race! Well done again to all who helped make the event so special :-)

A selection of pictures from day 2 of Canoefest 2019 where we had a great day on the Llangollen Canal :-)

First few pictures from Canoefest 2019 Once again a fabulous time was had by all.Many Thanks to all who made it possible :-)These are from Friday afternoon you will see there is a rather unusual boat that looks like a cut and shut! I thunk I will stick to making my hulls like Dabchick no 3 :-) More pictures to follow when I have a mo...

Dabchick No 3 is ready to go to Glyndyfrdwy for Canoefest 2019 You can see her there along with some paddles, paddle racks that I also have for sale and of course the first canoe I made Peterborough No 1 :-)