2024-Jun-02 09:26:11

Originally posted by Kayak Demelza on 2024-Jun-02 09:26:11.

Link to the original facebook post

Day 5 3CK: Oxford to Wallingford

Grey skies soon drew a shroud over the morning's sun.

Thankfully the chilli north wind was at my back all day.

I hung around until the Falcon Cafe opened at 8 am.
Saturday morning and the place was buzzing, I was reminded of how watersports can pull together a strong community. Very very impressive, best bacon sarnie ever (thank you Keith), friendly folk, paddles and oars in harmony.

On the river I shadowed a couple of eights crewed by guests from Denmark and watched with interest the amount of faff involved in going through the locks.

I missed the meal time at the Barley Mow in Clifton Hampden where I was entertained by the girls from Didcot School doing a u turn in their sculls.

Thank you lock keepers Curtis and Callum, there is nothing more magical to the tired kayaker contemplating a tricky portage than the sight of the approaching lock gates magically gliding open.

After a lightning fast veggie biryani in Wallingford, I sneakily camped in the outer ranges of the Springs Resort and Golf Course.