A (river) island getaway

[Chaard]

Not sure if this will forever remain in the planning stage but in my many walks along the Thames path, I see little wooded islands in the river.

I love the idea of getting to and camping on one of these but I assume like all other land it's owned even if there isn't anything on land registry website.

Question is, how do I get to it. The basic approach seems best to me. Wrap the bag and clothes in a big ol bag and swim like a wee froggie.

Does anyone e have any similar experience in such sillyness or any ides on how to get to the island.

 

[Bishop]

You could try getting hold of MindWiseman on Youtube,
as I recall he's done some island camping along the Thames by canoe.

 

[Blundstoned Love]

I'm not sure if these links describe the same trip, but they might give you some food for thought.

You could also try contacting those involved.


http://www.theguardian.com/travel/2014/oct/11/secret-adventures-mystery-breaks-essex-uk



http://annaselundberg.com/travel-writing/adventure-is-out-there-wild-camping-north-of-the-m25/

 

[Quixoticgeek]

I've pondered the same sort of thing.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r1pKlm9wy6c

Might be of interest.

I would recommend you use fins, a mask, and a snorkel, it just makes swimming in the river easier.

Oh, and swimming with shoes on, be it your boots or a neoprene boots. Recommended.

J

 

[cranmere]

Get a big dry bag, the sort where you roll over the top several times and then clip together the fastening. The wild swimmers sometimes use those for carrying their clothes when swimming down a river and they work very well.

 

[Jack Bounder]

Inflatable dinghy? Coracle? Paddle board?

 

[Jack Bounder]

Have to say that swimming in the Thames doesn't sound like a good idea to me. Might be all sorts of tat under the water waiting to trap a leg or something. i guess if you're going to try swimming it, it would be best to start out well upstream to make sure you don't get swept past the island.

 

[cranmere]

Have a word with the Outdoor Swimming Association, Google will find them and they have a Facebook page. They have members all over the place who might be able to advise on specific locations. I know that people swim in a lot of places on the Thames.

 

[Chaard]

Thanks for all the advice gals and guys.

I'm not planning on doing the whole journey swimming, just the 15m or so from bank to island.

The plan is to put the 40L backpack in a builders bag or a suitably large dry bag and get over pretty damn quickly.

 

[Chaard]

Right I am borrowing an inflatable kayak, I've packed a big bag of stuff.

Tonight (after a post work beer) I shall take to the water with all the grace and finesse of a brick and paddle to an island in the Thames.

Bit nervous as this will be my 1st solo and 1st overnight water journey.

I'll try and get a few pics for prosperity.

 

[Blundstoned Love]

How did it go mate?

 

[Blundstoned Love]

At which point do we call the police?

 

[Goatboy]

At which point do we call the police?

He did come back it seems he posted in another thread on the 15th.

Sent via smoke-signal from a woodland in Scotland.

 

[Chaard]

I did indeed survive and completely forgot to post results!

I'll try and get round to that this weekend but the highlights were ...

Wet

Cold

Tiring

Thanks for the concern though guys!

 

[Chaard]

OK report is up.

warning - this isn't one for those with a short attention span

LINK