The next event in our series of flatwater paddles is a personal favourite,
the River Ivel, on Saturday Feb. 13th. This is a local trip (about 40
minutes' drive from Cambridge), on flat water with a few small features and
some weirs, all of which can be portaged and most of which can be shot. The
start is at Jordan's cereal factory at Holme Mills in Biggleswade, and we
will end in Tempsford. This makes it a trip of around 14 km - effectively a
full-day trip, since we don't intend to rush. To put this in perspective,
this is slightly longer than the run to the clubhouse from Barrington, and
over double the distance from Hauxton to the clubhouse. If you have your 1*
and feel fairly confident that you won't get too tired from paddling 14 km -
at a leisurely pace - you can probably do this trip. If in doubt, just ask
Terry or me. This is a good trip for anyone thinking about doing their BCU 2
star award this summer.

The club has run this trip a few times before, and it has always been great
fun. The scenery on the river is quite varied, from narrow reed-filled
streams, to gardens on the outskirts of Sandy, to fields, and finally ending
on the Great Ouse.

What kind of boat is suitable? Not a playboat - but almost anything else.
Creeks, Mountains, most of the longer boats, or open canoes can all be used.
Remember - longer boats generally go faster. You can hire a club boat (send
an e-mail to the quartermaster in advance) or bring your own. If you want to
shoot the weirs in a kayak, you will need a helmet. If you want to shoot
the weirs in a canoe, wear waterproof clothing and bring a bailer :-)

We will meet at the clubhouse at 9:00, so we can start driving at 9:30
sharp. Alternatively, you can meet us at the get in, if that's easier for
you. Jordan's have kindly let us use their (secure) car park during the
day - and we'll also need at least one car at the get out in Tempsford.
Jordan's have a shop at the factory, so there will be opportunities to stock
up on cereal bars while we wait for the shuttle drivers. In the past, we
have ended the trip with snacks or a meal at the Anchor Inn in Tempsford.

If this sounds tempting, send me an e-mail Povl Abrahamsen, and also let me know if you have a car
and whether or not you have roof bars on it. As some planning is required
for the shuttle, you do need to let me know in advance, so I have a fairly
good idea of numbers.

I hope to see many of you on the trip!

Povl