River Dee, Bangor on Dee to Farndon 15th Jan 2023 by Allan Blanchard (led by Alan Peachment, John Fay)
The Heavy rain and the Dee being in Flood meant we cancelled this trip and decided to move to the Weaver. A big thank you to everyone who turned up, Diane Rogan, John Fay, Michael Plant, Dave Hendry, Ian Hastings, Gary Quine, Alan Peachment, Dorin Wang and Jacki Jenkins.
The 10 of us met up at the Runcorn Rowing Club at 0930 to be in the water by 1000. Once we were unloaded and briefed. We set off upriver towards Dutton Locks, it was a peaceful morning. The Runcorn Rowers zipped past us in their boats in the heavy rain. Rained stopped for Lunch which we had in the picnic area at Dutton Locks but only after John had tied the boats up at the steps up from the river, they all looked like a big raft. He promised they’d still be there on our return.
John was correct our boats were still in situ when lunch was finished. Dorin tried to launch a couple of us into the water, literally, but unsuccessfully.
Once we were all back on the water, we paddled up the tributary under the bridge to take a look at the water coming through the sluice. The hardcore made it all the way whilst others only paddled halfway to wait for the other’s return. Once they had returned, we continued to paddle back down the river to our exit point, the rain had now gone elsewhere, and the sun came out intermittently. We managed to see some Herons and some coxless 4’s again.
It was a great day with great company and a paddle enjoyed by all, away from the Docks.
