ThePADDLER 56
Finishing work and heading out for some fresh air miles
This concept of finishing work and heading out for some fresh air miles has become incredibly popular . A couple of years ago , we worked closely with the Red Paddle Co team to host a SUP micro-adventure to sew seeds for journalists about smaller adventures . We hosted a range of journalists , including Wanderlust and Red Bull Magazine , which resulted in Canoe Trail being voted top three in the UK for SUP Adventures with our private riverside woodland campsite . ( if you want to experience this for yourself , drop us a line @ canoetrails quoting ‘ Paddler ’, and we will give a 15 % discount on mid-week micro-adventures ).
RELAX AND UNWIND It was a simple opportunity to leave London after work , Red iSUP in hand , hop on the train and less than an hour later be in the leafy green countryside of Bedfordshire ready for an overnight escape . A short walk to the River Great Ouse and with an integral warm-up activity ( pumping up the boards ), we were ready to depart on the gently flowing river down to the woodland campsite . Seeing customers relax and unwind when they take to the water is like watching a weight get lifted and smiles return . It is a connection to our past and an escape from our digitally overloaded lives . The route involves several portages where you carry your board and kit around locks , a change of pace and ideal for a little tea break . Within a few minutes with some coaching , the newbies looked like regular paddle boarders , one reason why the sport has been so popular .
Eventually , after a couple of hours of paddling , which flew with a wildlife safari of cormorants , kingfishers and kites , as well as the chance of otters and deer , we arrive at the small brook which bisects the woodland . We paddled in as ‘ child like ’ excitement of making camp takes over . A mix of camping styles is adopted with tentage , hammocks and even some natural shelter building to create the perfect home from home under the stars . By now , stomachs are starting to identify the need for refuelling the machine . So the campfire is prepared with a bed of solid embers ready for a woodland feast . A simple observation that food in the great outdoors and around the fire always tastes better .
We are foodies at heart , so we serve locally sourced free-range BBQ options , as well as a favourite , smoky black bean , which we usually have to fight off the meat-eaters from ! Corn on the cobs and baked spuds , done on the fire , coupled with salad bowls , add to the woodland feast . Seemingly most people turn back their clocks to their youth when faced with Smor ’ s ( toasted marshmallow squidged between biscuits ), chocolate bananas and hot chocolates topped with whipped cream and more marshmallows .
By now , people are starting to consider snuggling into their sleeping bags for a well earned night ’ s sleep . The following morning is a well-oiled routine with the campfire crackling as customers emerge from their sleepy cocoons . A Yorkshire tea and cowboy ( or girl ) coffee are ready and steaming by the fire . Fed and watered , the team were ready for returning to the parallel universe and back to their alternative lives catching the train back to a bigger smoke for work , swapping the SUP board meeting for the board meeting if you will !
LOCKDOWN EASING With lockdown restrictions easing , we have grabbed our short breaks with micro-adventures and paddling trips . The latest escape was to the Lake District paddling on Derwent and Ullswater , sharing the water with many