Oare to Faversham via Isle of Harty Sunday 6th October 2013.

[Tharlow]

Following the success of the recent joint club trip to Darnet Island, together with Maidstone and Bewl Water Canoe Clubs we are organising another trip.
This time it is from Oare across The Swale to The Isle of Harty, back across The Swale to The Shipwright's Arms pub then up Faversham and Oare creeks before returning to Oare Slipway.
This is one of the Discover Your Estuary trips and more information and video can be found here:-
http://www.discoveryourestuary.com/cano ... three.html
a map of the trip here:-
http://www.discoveryourestuary.com/CanoeTrail-3.pdf
a chart of The Swale here:-
http://www.visitmyharbour.com/harbours/ ... chart-2012
and a chart of Faversham and Oare Creeks here:-
http://www.visitmyharbour.com/harbours/ ... chart-2012

As you can see this trip is very tide dependant and we will have to adjust plans on the day to fit in with the tide and if necessary, a strong wind.
The first part of the trip will be across the incoming tide to Harty and then returning again across the tide to Faversham. The tide will be with us to get up and down Faversham Creek but against us to go up Oare Creek and the short return on The Swale to Oare Slipway.
Timetable for the trip is:-
LW                                                                                   07.49
Meet at Oare Slipway                                                     10.15
Launch                                                                             11.00
Paddle across The Swale to Harty then return to Faversham Creek.
Arrive at The Shipwright's Arms for lunch.                     12.30
Leave                                                                               13.30
Paddle up Faversham Creek until either the end or HW at               14.07
Leave                                                                               14.08
Explore Oare Creek and return to Oare Slipway             15.30ish.
LW                                                                                   20.11

All are welcome but because we are crossing The Swale across the tide twice and some against tide paddling, you need to be a strong paddler, preferably 2*.
For more information, please contact me (I'll be at the lake this Saturday) or Kathryn on 01322 524 959 or 07949394411

[psmith]

Yes from me and Emily.

Phil

[Tharlow]

Yes from me and Emily.

Phil

Phil,
I have sent you a message.

[Tharlow]

Final details for this trip.
We meet at the boathouse at 8.30 to collect boats and equipment and leave by 9.
Meet others at the Oare Nature Reserve Car Park, ME13 0QA at 10.30 for a 11.00 launch.
The visit to the pub looks unlikely so bring a packed lunch.

[Tharlow]

Thanks to the weather this trip turned out to be a very good paddle.
With no wind and bright sunshine, crossing The Swale was a lot easier than anticipated.


We didn't see one wave all day!

Unfortunately the seals were equally scarce with just the occasional head coming to the surface to have a look at us.

Faversham Creek has its attractions.....



with some paddlers stopping at the earliest convenience for lunch...


and the rest of the party choosing the opposite bank which is a minute's walk of The Swan Pub.


A trip in two parts; estuary followed by river paddling.



I calculated we paddled about 11 miles/17.5 k with 5 miles/8k against and across various tides.
A total of 25 paddlers attended and thanks to Maidstone and Bewl Water Canoe Clubs for their help and support.

Maidstone pictures are at:-
http://www.maidstonecanoeclub.net/jooml ... re-slipway
and Bewl Waters' at:-
https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set ... 084&type=1