Having lived in the UK for a number of years, the main difference in recreational activities is that in the UK they seem to center around well established clubs, while here, they are offered by commercial establishments and or public facilities. I suspect the sophistication and facilities of the well established clubs has narrowed the commercial opportunities for rentals, tours and the like. I would have identified and contacted any local "canoe" club and I'm sure you would have found boats available, organized trips and possibly a clubhouse with it's own pub. This is speculation from the paddling perspective but held true for my other recreational activities while in the UK, archery, flying and sporting clays. cu - *************************************************************************** PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List - All postings copyright the author and not to be reproduced/forwarded outside PaddleWise without author's permission Submissions: PaddleWise_at_PaddleWise.net Subscriptions: PaddleWise-request_at_PaddleWise.net Website: http://www.paddlewise.net/ ***************************************************************************
At 09:43 AM 8/2/00 -0400, Bob Denton wrote: >Having lived in the UK for a number of years, the main difference in >recreational activities is that in the UK they seem to center around well >established clubs, while here, they are offered by commercial establishments >and or public facilities. > >I suspect the sophistication and facilities of the well established clubs >has narrowed the commercial opportunities for rentals, tours and the like. I >would have identified and contacted any local "canoe" club and I'm sure you >would have found boats available, organized trips and possibly a clubhouse >with it's own pub. > >This is speculation from the paddling perspective but held true for my other >recreational activities while in the UK, archery, flying and sporting clays. > >cu > My previous complaining about rental opportunities in the south of England left out additional info that Bob Denton has added here. In fact, when I found I could not rent a boat, I had just about given up. I then spotted a car with two kayaks on top. I asked the driver how I could get to paddle and he directed me to a club at a seaside town about half way between Brighton and Worthing. I was able to join in on a club river lesson, but not able to rent or borrow a boat for my own solo purposes. I enjoyed the river lesson. Nice to experience things from a different perspective. Still, I would have like to explore some harbors at my own pace. Oh, to be able to afford a Feathercraft... Bill Leonhardt *************************************************************************** PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List - All postings copyright the author and not to be reproduced/forwarded outside PaddleWise without author's permission Submissions: PaddleWise_at_PaddleWise.net Subscriptions: PaddleWise-request_at_PaddleWise.net Website: http://www.paddlewise.net/ ***************************************************************************
Hi Bill, I can empathize with your plight. I have just last month returned from the Outer Hebrides, Scotland, UK. I lugged my K-Lite all the way. Several planes (the cheap way), many ferries,(the only way) and car top. There were many times I said, what a pain in the_____. But when I arrived I knew it was all worth it. There was an outfitter in North Uist who was very good. But there is nothing to compare with starting out the day and as you spot one of the hundreds of great spots, just saying, "Launch Time". Save up for that Feathercraft. Patri *************************************************************************** PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List - All postings copyright the author and not to be reproduced/forwarded outside PaddleWise without author's permission Submissions: PaddleWise_at_PaddleWise.net Subscriptions: PaddleWise-request_at_PaddleWise.net Website: http://www.paddlewise.net/ ***************************************************************************
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