Heart of Darkness - My Return to Thursday Evening Paddling

Perhaps not quite Conrad’s fictional journey up the Congo in search of the deranged Mr Kurtz, but there is something elemental about our Thursday evening paddling in the dark on the upper reaches of the River Hamble.

I hadn’t been out since October because of my knee problems. Last night was the first time back. We had planned to go last week, but were thwarted by ‘The Beast From the East’, not that freezing temperatures have stopped previous outings. 

We meet up at Swanwick after work, change in the car park then go down to the water with our boats. Last night it was Charles, Mike, Mash and myself. Craig is our chief protagonist, but was held up at work on this occasion. 

We paddled upriver, under the motorway bridge, around the bend into the darkness, then on up to Curbridge on the beginning of the ebb. You have to take care not to paddle into the shallows on either side. 

I was very aware last night that I hadn’t paddled for several months. My arms struggled to move the blades fast enough to keep up with the others. They certainly ache this morning!

We reached our destination, had a brief gathering and chat, then turned around and swept back rapidly with the tide. It’s quite strange turning round the last bend in the river and transitioning from the peace and darkness of the upper river to the business and bright lights of the motorway. 

Soon enough, we had paddled back past the marina and the Jolly Sailor at Bursledon (the scene of many ‘runs ashore’ in my youth) to our launch point. After rapid kayak recovery and changing in the car park, we went straight into The Old Ship for the usual post paddling pint and tea. It’s great to be back!!

Launch Site at Lower Swanwick

Arriving After Work...

Paddling in the Dark!!!