Tuesday, April 3, 2012

Sausage Lock

So, normal service is resumed. We'll keep you up to date with the final planning stages of our big Thames Challenge as we get closer to our launch day and we hope to blog daily as we go via this blog, facebook and maybe even song of the paddle. (The posting of blogs will be dependant on mobile internet coverage as we go). We might even, at every feasible opportunity remind you that the main reason for the trip is to raise money for Cancer Research and we would be more than grateful if you would make a small donation, (or a large donation if you'd prefer).
You can donate at www.justgiving.com/thameschallenge2012. Thank you very much for your generosity.

Lunch at Sausage Lock

So to go back to last years little trips on the Trent and Mersey canal, to quickly bring us up to date with all our trips so far in our fledgling open canoeing adventures. And to explain the significance of the sausage and the whole Sausage and Splash thing.
After a couple of day trips in the canoe we decided that we needed to take it out for a two day voyage with an overnight stay, camping on the tow-path of the Trent and Mersey canal.
Again the start point of our journey was Wolsely Bridge on the A51 between Rugely and Stone. The going was much easier and a whole lot more sociable with us both being in the same canoe. As before, the friendly greetings were called from all who we passed, whether they were walkers on the tow-path, or narrow boaters sipping wine as they sailed effortlessly past. Some just offered a cheery hello or good afternoon, others expanded the conversation with an inquisitive “Where you off to lads?” To which the answer would always be the same, “Oh, us? We're just heading for tea time.”
Because that, as we had agreed, would be our main itinerary for all our leisurely weekend trips up and down the canals. We would simply paddle our way along the canal. Stopping where and when we so desired for refreshment with the only destination being the closest suitable place to camp to where we had decided that we had paddled enough for today. As you've probably guessed neither of us are what might be called extreme canoeists and we both canoe for the only reason that we think that there possibly could be to canoe, relaxation. A chance to escape the rigours of work and unwind whilst gently drifting along the waterways of choice, heading sedately towards the afore mentioned teatime when the tents would be pitched, tea would be cooked and the world put to rights over an alcoholic drink of choice.

So here we again, paddling gently along the Trent and Mersey, we decided not to stop at the tea rooms at Great Hayward Lock this time and pushed ahead. Last time we were out we took a left at the junction with the Staffs and Worcester towards Stafford, today we carried on, staying with the Trent and Mersey. After portaging a few locks we decided to stop for a bit of lunch, a sausage sandwich. The humble sausage has got to be the meat of choice for expeditions of this kind. They freeze well, cook from frozen or defrosted and are absolutely sublime on a good chunk of bread. You can vary the flavours almost without limit simply by visiting your local butcher or supermarket. The sausage is clearly the king of camping food.
The small calor stove was set up in a sheltered spot near what, from that day forward will always be known as Sausage Lock and the sausages were set to cook and the Guilly Kettle was filled and fired up for that other great staple of the British diet, a cup of tea. Lunch was sorted and a fine lunch it was.
After our break we put into the water again and gently paddled towards our next destination, tea time. Wile we were paddling and chatting the subject of keeping a blog was raised and we decided to do just that, even if no-one was interested in reading about our trips then it would serve as some sort of diary to look back at. We just needed a title for our blog and thought that it would need to have both a food connection and obviously a water link. Having just enjoyed a superb sausage sandwich and a lengthy conversation about the merits of the humble sausage it was decided that sausages would have to feature heavily and as a little play on sausage and mash and to link with a water theme the blog was so called Sausagensplash.
On this trip we ended up travelling a little later than we would normally have done due to the fact that a suitable place to set camp wasn't forthcoming When choosing somewhere to pitch our tents there are several considerations that we like to take into account. Firstly we like to be away from any residential areas and we like to choose a stretch of the towpath that is wide enough for us to pitch our tents without getting in the way of anyone that might be walking past, we figure that the less obstruction and nuisance that we make, the lower the likelihood of being asked to move along, and the only creature that could possibly object to our choice of camp-site were a herd of cattle in the field opposite, who on noticing our presence decided that they should come and have a closer look. And I swear that at one point they all, as one, considered swimming across to sample the Vegetable Curry that I had earlier prepared and Loz was now heating for supper. Supper was eaten and washed down with a few drinks (although not nearly as many as on our first trip) and it wasn't long before we took to our tents to sleep and recharge ready for or journey home the next day.

Swan upmanship!


For all the people that look at swans and see a beautiful and graceful creature gently gliding, effortlessly along the picturesque waterways of Great Britain, I would like to introduce you to a bloody minded aggressive assassin, intent on chasing down anyone who dares intrude upon his domain and think that maybe mankind and the swans could share the tranquil stretches of water that criss cross this fair land of ours. The swan in question had, on our outward journey, merely shepherded us quickly through his territory, making sure we stayed on the opposite bank to what was evidently his nest. This was done with minimum fuss and not a great deal of jeopardy for us. The area in question was in a residential area, with lots of walkers and quite a concentration of narrow boats in quite a wide stretch of canal. So it was without fear or trepidation that we retraced our route. All we needed to do was paddle quickly and quietly past Mr Swans kingdom, keeping as close to the opposite bank as we could. Unfortunately Mr Swan didn't take too kindly to our apparent disregard for his authority, having ignored his benevolence and stern warning the previous day. Mr Swan didn't appreciate our trespass and was not going to give us a second warning. Today’s default setting was attack, the wings swept back and the chest lowered and head and neck set in a menacing posture that facilitated what could only be described as a torpedo like approach, it's fearless, bloody minded stare had us fixed and nothing was going to stop this graceful master of the water from reaching it's goal, us!
So what should we do? Turn and fight? After all, we were the superior species, both bigger and more evolved and we were armed with a three foot paddle each. Trouble was I don't think either of us were of the disposition that we could swing a paddle with any malice at all, let alone with the intent to inflict enough injury to persuade Mr Swan that his attack was futile and he should desist. Also Mr Swan was much more at home on the water than we were and I'm quite sure that he was more than capable of having a fight without sinking, whereas I am certain that as soon as we stood to face our water-borne bully we would immediately capsize. At which point, not only would we have been beaten up by a swan, we would also be flailing around chest deep in the canal trying to rescue our possessions while everyone around laughed at our misfortune. So flight it was to be. Loz and I paddled as fast as we could, abandoning all our principles of canoeing for relaxation. Trouble was, as adept as we had become with our paddling skills, Mr Swan was still considerably quicker at travelling on the water and even though we had passed his nesting site by quite some distance he was determined to make his point and wouldn't give up the chase. There was only one thing for it, before he got too close we paddled to the bank and scrambled out, rather unceremoniously. Almost throwing the canoe onto the trolley we walked at a swift pace. Still the swan wouldn't give in and followed us menacingly for quite a distance, not giving up until a boat going the opposite direction distracted him enough to leave us alone.
As we are planning a whole weeks journey along the entire non tidal River Thames, which is well known for swans. This incident has made us rather nervous as we are expecting more of the same. And as there seems to be no set nesting season for swans we can't even plan our journey to avoid the worst of Mr Swans wrath.
Without further incident we made our way back to Wolsley Bridge where my wife would be waiting to take us to the safety and comfort of home, where even the most determined of swans couldn't get us.

If anyone has any tips for dealing with swans that doesn't involve us inflicting injury upon them we would welcome them with much gratitude.

Remember we actively support Cancer Research UK and our Thames trip is in aid of this exceptional charity.

Thank you, all comments welcomed.

Stay Calm and Keep Paddling.

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