CSCC Reports 2015: South Devon - Early Map Bank Holiday Trip (May 2015)

Rob and Stephen organised a splendid kayaking trip on the sea and estuaries in South Devon for the early May bank holiday weekend.

Stewart, Rob Stephen, Tom and Sarah and Ben all arrived on Friday night (arrival times ranged from 6pm to 12.30am).

The weather forecast for the weekend was for strong winds and rain so on Day 1 we decided to stick to the Dart Estuary.  We launched at the Greenway Ferry on the Kingswear side of the river, opposite Dittisham.  This is a good launching spot, available at all states of tide (£3 launch fee per kayak) and there is a car park (£1 per hour) with a tea hut.  However, the car park is only small and  in summer it is likely that this car park would quickly fill up - there is no-where nearby to park. We paddled downstream to just past  Dartmouth and stopped for lunch on the beach at Warfleet.  From here we ventured to the edge of the estuary.  There was a good bit of swell and a headwind so we turned tail and used the inflowing tide to help us back to the cars.

Eleanor and Dan arrived in time for dinner.  We went to a bistro in Brixham which had an imaginative menu and jolly staff.  We then went to a local pub where Eleanor fought off a fearsome (biting) slug.  

On day 2 we returned to the Dart and all paddled up the Dart estuary from Kingswear to Totnes (one way only).  This is a beautiful estuary with some wonderful wildlife, in particular, we spotted a seal and egrets.  The get-in was less scenic - I had left my boots behind and had to use my flip-flops as stepping stones to make my way out through gloopy black mud.  Our lunch-spot was much nicer.  We sat on a jetty at Dittisham looking out over towards where Agatha Christie once lived in splendour.  After the paddle was over Ben deployed his advanced diplomatic skills to good effect to get us into a closing chippy for a filling fish supper.  We were also grateful to him for treating us to a ride in his cavernous Merc estate.  

Rob had gathered some shell fish from the Dart which he bravely cooked up the following morning for a Ray Mears style breakfast on Sunday - a giant oyster, cockles and mussels.  I tried some mussels and they tasted delicious.  

On day 3 the remaining paddlers paddled across Torbay from Broadsands beach to Thatchers rock and back again.  The outward journey was fairly straightforward, but the return leg was more challenging because swell had built up by then and at one point a ferry came close to our group creating some confused waters.  Everyone paddled really well and stayed upright. The wildlife highlight for me was spotting oystercatchers.  On our return Rob did some impressive 'wet work' (rolling practice).

Our trip had coincided with the pirates festival in Brixham and this made it a slightly surreal experience.  Eventually I grew used to the sight of pirates wandering around our campsite in the sea mist or Government men off for a skirmish in town.  It seemed a bit odd when I returned to London and everyone was dressed normally.  We agreed that if we return to Brixham we ought to consider joining in the fun.  I guess we ought to go dressed as Government men.  

There was also lots of free live music available locally - from acoustic bands in the pubs and a rock band in Dittisham to the old Gaffers group of singers on the front.  

We had stayed at the Upton Manor campsite on the edge of town which had good, clean facilities and quiet, considerate pirates (not consuming too much rum apparently).

More photos can be found here.