In this video, I am down in Kent for a three day wild camping canoe adventure on the tidal river Medway with Andy from Kent Survival.
In this episode, we set off from Queensborough, paddling up the Swale and past Deadman’s Island before joining the main river channel. With the wind behind us and making the most of the powerful incoming tide, we make our way westwards, stopping for lunch on Burntwick Island. After a short rest, we continue paddling up the enormous estuary, miles from the shore, passing container ships and rusting, deep water jetties before reaching our destination for the night - the abandoned 19th century Fort Darnet.
Darnet Fort, along with its sister battery at Hoo Fort, were built in the 1870s to protect the Royal Naval dockyard at Chatham. Armed with 11 canons covering the full 360 degrees and with a garrison of 100 men, the forts were never used for their intended purpose. Sadly, the forts began to slowly sink into the soft tidal mud and they were abandoned before the first world war, making a brief service as observation posts during the second world war.
We made ourselves comfortable for the night after dragging all of our gear, including the canoes, into the fort. A warming fire in one of the original fire places, a dinner of steaks, a couple of fine ales and good old catch up - perfect!
Please also head over to Kent Survival to watch Andy’s video of the trip.
Stay tuned for part two, coming soon.
I hope you enjoy the video.
Thanks for watching!
Links
Andy’s Video of the trip (Kent Survival)
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Wildcamp Phil’s video (the inspiration for this trip!)
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The Steak Shop
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PCF hot sauce
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Richard Outdoors Fire Trough
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Silverbirch Canoes
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Contact me at:
simonablokeinthewoods@gmail.com
Or by mail at:
Simon, a bloke in the woods
PO Box 384
Diss
Norfolk
IP22 9DB
UK
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Music:
In the sweet by and by By Zachariah Hickman
Autumn Sunset By Audionautix
