So this was almost my ideal paddle – 10 miles, so not too far and it began at the pub and ended at the same pub!

No car shuttles involved; we didn’t even have to paddle one way and paddle back same route as it was a circular route.

It was a very cold and early start as we were aiming to leave the club about 8:00. This didn’t quite happen as it was so frosty Michelle couldn’t even get into her car as the doors were frozen shut!
However, we set off to Wargrave and were on the water by about 9:30 a.m. The sun was emerging, the river was flat but fast flowing. We departed with lots of layers on us with word from Dan that there was a portage in a mile’s time. About an hour or so later we arrived at the portage, so either the river was flipping fast flowing, I was really slow (Dan would confirm this) or Dan had no idea where the first lock was! However, once we arrived at Shiplake lock we got to enjoy mince pies, curtesy of Jenny, a friendly lock keeper and luxury toilet facilities – in that there was a toilet, toilet paper, a hand drier and even a shower in there.

Onto the the next leg which was bit of battle against the flow but the sun was shining and scenery was lovely; a mixture of meandering narrow twists and turns in the river and open stretches with lots of lovey properties to add to your Christmas list, along the the way.
We turned into the flow at Sonning lock and it felt great to stop paddling and still be carried along a quite a pace. However, when we turned into St Patricks Stream where it narrowed down with quite a few overhanging branches it proved much more skillful navigate. At times the stream would push us into the branches and I for one got stuck a few times. This all adds to the fun and allows me to pad out the trip report with a few extra lines and photos…

In terms of wildlife, I saw Herons, Red Kites, sheep and naked flesh (Dan’s…more on this later) So when we arrived back at our start point of the The George and Dragon pub in Wargrave my toes were so numb I almost toppled over but the rest of me was roasty toasty. Must have been the same for Dan who decided to remove his top and reveal his naked white torso to the near sub zero climate. Anyway, that didn’t put us off the promise of a nice hot lunch. The food at the George was great, the service was really fast and the log fire was roaring.

Perfect end to a pretty perfect winter paddle.