Fed up with the winter rain, snow, lock down???? Revisiting these videos cures all that!! These 2 films were responsible for giving me that final kick up the arse and got me out there with the canoe. Never looked back since, thank you Simon. I started on this same river...........
Thank you for allowing us to ride along, Simon. It's a quality job you do on these videos. Don't know how I missed it, but I'm glad I found this one! Part 2, up next. Cheers!
In the 1950s my family moved into the mill house near Cattawade after the watermill had closed down. As a boy I had the stretch up to Flatford to myself and seldom met another craft. The tidal lock was still working by itself, so care was needed there. Once during a spring tide I rowed an 8' dinghy down to Manningtree and up the other river branch, nearly getting stuck under the old road bridge, then near Flatford hauled it back onto the Cattawade 'canal' as it was called - a circular trip. I wish you had shown more of my old haunts, but thanks for this show.
I grew up in Sudbury and used to go canoeing down the stour with the 3rd Sudbury B Pack scouts. Fond memories of those machine gun posts! Great video, reminded me of my childhood. Thanks 👍
Beautiful trip. I try to imagine doing that here in Houston Texas with the heat and alligators. I'm just now getting to the point of going to see doctor about Afib racing heart in the middle of night. Hope you're doing better. Thanks for sharing a view of the beautiful UK. Visited Ipswich and Colchester 25 + years ago in a two week visit from London to "Scotland one of my ancestorial places" Loved it.
Well done for sharing your health issues; glad you are still with us. My vintage is April 1959, you look like you might just make the cut as a late boomer. Do you need to carry a defibrillator with you, just in case? Glad to hear that you sought medical help; thoroughly enjoy all your videos which are so easy to watch and while away the evenings while I enjoy the early years of my retirement. Long may you continue to enjoy and share ventures in the outdoors.
I love your videos. They are so peaceful and I thoroughly enjoyed the 2 part river trip. You really take the time and get such great different angles, I feel like I am there! Thank you for your diligence and hard work with the editing and backtracking so we can get a full picture of your trip. Well done Simon!!
+LiveSimplyFilms Mountain Mike - Cheers Mike, appreciate the kind words! It was a lovely trip on a truly lovely bit of water! We are lucky in the part of the UK to have such a lot of nice quiet rivers. 🛶 Atb, Simon.
Thanks for sharing day one of your adventure! I always find your river trips so peaceful and calming, and very much enjoy the sights and sounds of nature. All the best as you continue to take care and manage the AF. I'll be looking forward to Part 2! :)
Chris Millington - Thanks Chris, glad you enjoyed it! It certainly was relaxing, there's something about rivers!!! Even the portages were good fun - and punctuated the trip nicely. Atb, Simon.
I have the same or similar heart issue. In my case, giving up caffeine has been the solution. May sound strange, but I also find crouching down during an episode helps me recover more quickly.
Yep, same here.... been on meds for many years that help minimize the events. Also watch my caffeine intake. Normally during an episode I could hold my breath with my arms straight above my head and the pressure on my heart would make it beat normally again. Weird... glad to hear you’re past this issue Simon.
I love your way to show the outdoor adventures that lies right at your doorstep, the miracles that you don't have to travel millions of miles in the wilderness to find. I'm totally baffeled that your channel hasn't got 1M subs, you must be the outdoor community's best kept secret!
Thank you mate! Maybe one day haha!! We have lots of lovely secret and sometimes quite remote feeling spots right on our doorsteps - the rivers are a good example - you can get away from traffic noise and other signs of human activity. Sneak up on wildlife and enjoy some tranquility. Bliss! 😁👍🛶
Man, I used to match fish on the River Stour when living in Haverhill. I loved that river and sometimes would just sit for hours after a match with a line in the water but not caring if I caught anything. I would loved to canoe then but I was a young airman with three kids who ate me out of house and home :)
Thank you Michael Robert! I wanted to reply to your post, but for some reason Google have changed things so that google+ users cannot reply to comments left by normal google users! I know, daft isn't it!! So I'm writing my reply as a separate comment. I'm thrilled that you enjoyed the video so much and that it brought back some pleasant old memories - I feel like I have done my job!! I fell in love with River Stour on this trip - stunningly beautiful! Tranquil and serene in some stretches, then a bit faster and more exciting in others! I will be returning for another dose of the medicine in the future!! Atb, Simon.
Excellent part one Simon looked a very calming experience being on the river in relived your health condition was not as bad as you thought it might have been looking forward to p2 atb alb
Love the stour river beautiful place haven't done this stretch yet will do now thanks to the video and definitely need lots of food on trips like this 😃
That's a beautiful part of the country simon , sudbury my sister used to own a cottage not far from some silk mills , I thoroughly enjoyed my 2 week stay there 👌 and of course we had to visit the crooked house 👍🛶
Hello Simon! Bannock with almost anything is good, jam and butter like a scone is fantastic. Make yourself some proper ham and pea soup, eat that with Bannock and you'll be eating a true Canadian Voyageur meal...splendid after canoeing. A woolen anorak made from a Hudson Bay Company blanket would put the accuracy through the roof!!!! Cheers!
Ooooh - ham and pea soup, I’ve not had that for years! Got a taste for it now!! 😁 I searched for a Hudson Bay blanket a few years ago, I was astonished how much they go for!!
Sorry to inform people but the boxted bridge is closed to both road and river traffic. So Sudbury to the sea is a no go atm as there is ne portage option around the bridge.
@@bgoodbourn the bridge has been closed for nearly a year. Sadly it might be several more before anything is done to replace it. It's the same with the Weir at Colchester's castle park. The river Colne has been closed since December due to what's left of the Weir and bridge being deemed unsafe. Again no sign of it being put right.
Sounds like we have paroxysmal AF (PAF) in common, mine is triggered by certain well known coffee brands (I’ve stopped drinking coffee 😥) or if I get trapped wind, I find forced burping helps significantly if not completely. Chat with your GP about self conversion and vagal stimulation as an alternative to medications. Cracking vid as always 👍🏻
Excellent viewing....both parts...a great journey, documented perfectly...will be making many a river journey in a tandem canoe (not as nice as your Vessel!) soon as possible...more rivers please...and with wild camping advice if poss etc...Spearhead our mission! Bravo.
Simon, I hope you keep up with follow up appointments with your cardiologist. The atrial fibrillation ablation may not be a one time thing for you. I hate to stick my nose into your business; but, you have so many of us who truly care for you. Please take your meds on time and keep up with your follow up cardiology visits. Like the Nike commercial says, “Just do it.” Texas
Cheers mate! I’ve now been discharged with a clean bill of health, I’ve been taken off all my medication and all is well since the ablation - I guess I’m one of the lucky ones who it worked for first time! 😁👍 hugely appreciate the thought mate!!
Just seen this video as I’m working my way through your back catalogue whilst on hols. Good to hear you’re off the heart meds Simon. I had a heart incident out of the blue in Jan 2020. Thankfully not heart disease related, so I was able to pretty much fully recover. However, country and coastal walks in East Anglia have been great therapy. Keep well mate. Cheers.
being in the states I googled your route and traced it down - it looks like a great trip - loving the scenery and comments - maybe, just maybe I can get back to England and Wales before I am too old to do some paddling on the Stour
great video! just found it...... and what a beautiful canoe you have there ! absolutely gorgous to watch the front swing to the right......swing to the left
Super video. Enjoying your posts immensely here in the (former) colonies. For some reason your comment on the WW2 bunkers caught my attention. A little bit of work on google maps and it seems you are indeed pretty far up the Stour. Not that it matters a great deal but it would appear these are the remnants of defensive preparations in case unwanted relatives from Germany landed in the vicinity of Ipswich and decided to visit London. Uninvited guests can be so annoying.
Wow, what a great video. If you don't do this sort of thing professionally (informative adventure videos) you really should! I've booked a canoe so I can do part of this trip on Saturday - but plan to do the entire journey asap. Looking forward to part 2. Thanks
Thank you, you are very kind! The Stour is a lovely river - gently meandering, serene and peaceful for the most part and gives you the impression you are much more remote than you really are hahah! I hope you enjoy your day paddle - I’m sure it will wet your appetite for the full trip! Happy paddling, Simon. 🛶
2nd time watching this video. I've been on many of your journeys and this time it made me think. I'm an "Obsessive" and would want to trim some of the low hanging branches that are in the way. Are there Enviromental Laws that prevent that?
Gosh, welcome to the arythmia club. 4 years ago I'd done the first training of the new season with, amongst others, my GP and the very next morning when checking me for the medical certificate he found me that. Had another bout last june, only it doesn't manifest itself as with you, both times it went unnotived save on the ECG. Well, we simply have to live on with that sort of stuff, haven't we? It certainly hasn't doused my will to go out in the open air.
A fellow ‘dodgy ticker’ club member! It’s actually much more common than people think! Mine thankfully is sorted out now, but, like you I was determined not to let it stop me doing things!! Atb, Simon
I used to work for a landscaping company in nay land which sat on the river, there’s a metal corrugated tunnel under the road just before the stretch over river next to it.
Hi Simon - Whereabouts in Sudbury did you start please mate? I want to do the stour and get down to Fordwich and Sudbury seems a good place to start. Thanks in advance
Simon: I had a bout of Atrial Fib in 2004... My heart was so out of rhythm they had to stop it and then restart it to get it back to a natural beat. Been good ever since as long as I take my meds... Hope they got you sorted out. Please keep your videos coming, you have a gift for doing this.
Thank you Rod! Glad you’ve been free of problems since you’re episode! I spent quite a few visits to A and E being pumped full of drugs to get my heart back in rhythm - shocking was on the cards as an option, but never got that far! I had an ablation in the end and was completely cured - off all my meds now and been discharged from Cardio for 12 months. 👍😅
@@simonablokeinthewoods Awesome and good for you...These doctors never mentioned an ablation and when I brought it up I was told the"Atrium" was too hard to get to. I think it's just a way to keep me buying drugs and going in every year for a check-up...lol
I really enjoy camping and canoeing adventures and your's is one of the best and most exciting. Just a little comment, have you thought of doing a split view video where you have a small image of yourself on a background of the river journey itself? Thanks for sharing and as this is the first of your videos, I'm going to watch the next tomorrow as it's rather late, 1.47am I'll sub your channel, but in the meantime. Take care...
John King - Thanks John, glad you enjoyed it! I like the idea of a split window or a frame-in-frame clip especially for bits like the weir shooting, but at the time I wasn't set up for it - I now have one of those action cameras, so I might give it a go. Hope you enjoy part 2! Atb, Simon.
Hi Simon, your videos has inspired me to start canoeing again and I was thinking about starting on the River Stour. I was just wondering what the name of the campsite you stayed at so I can look it up. Love your videos!
Thank you Jess! So glad you’ve been inspired to get back on the water - such a nice way to travel and you see so much more!! The campsite is called Rushbanks - it’s a nice little site, no electricity (solar powered showers etc) and you can have an open fire if it’s off the ground. 🔥😁
@@simonablokeinthewoods Solar powered shower 😱 now that is something I must see, Greta Thunberg would be proud 😂 Nothing like roasting marshmallows on an open fire after canoeing 🚣
Hey, I didn't know you had AF. I get this too, not too often but enough to be annoying. Mine can last upto 12 hours before resolving itself to a normal beat.
Thanks Barry! Mine used to last hours like yours does - have now had an ablation and it’s completely cured! Good old NHS - the wonders of modern medicine! I assume you’ve had yours checked out? Atb, Simon
Barry Walker - it sounds more scary than it is - mine was all done under local anaesthetic (although I was given some pretty mega drugs haha!) and I was out of hospital the next morning - recovery time is quick too - the only external wound is where they go in at the top of your leg! There is always the chance that it won’t work first time, and you might need it doing again, I was lucky - they fixed it first time!
I have to watch the rest of this video. You brought the LK with you, so there must be a lot of portages along the way. Wonder if you snuck the cast iron frying pan into your own pack? lol as always, gonna love watching this one ATB Simon
That was odd. I grew up in Bournemouth and spent a lot of time in and around the river Stour, but had never heard of Sudbury. Having Googled the location I’m assuming either there are two River Stours or one massive one!
Back in 1975 I spent 14 months in Germany, I took a rubber raft canoe down the Lahn river for a short time off ( slept under the canoe ). On two different trips I was attacked by a band of swans at the very same curve in the river. How is it they let you just float by???
Haha - that sounds like bad luck my friend! There used to be a very territorial swan on my local river, that would have a go at anyone who came near - luckily it isn’t around any more!! (Nothing to do with me, honest!) Usually they’ll let you be but just keep an eye on you, especially if they have Signets.
I know nothing about canoeing, but why not use lightweight plastic wheels and a lightweight, aluminium frame, that fits one third down the underneath the canoe. Leave your gear in the canoe and pull it?
Simon, a bloke in the woods- only ever done it when I was younger. It's always been a dream to paddle and camp, but dont no where i could go or aloud to go. It looks so relaxing and peaceful. I'm looking to buy a canoe like yours just after Christmas and want to get into it. Also just like to say your videos are always amazing and full of information. Atb John
+Big John's Bushcraft - Cheers John! There’s nothing quite like it - the world seams different when viewed from water level! - very relaxing. You can paddle pretty much wherever you like on UK rivers - but you are supposed to have a licence - join the BCU and the licence is included! As for camping, you kind of have to use your judgement and discretion - stealth and just being sensible is what I do - but it’s always a risk - the land is most likely owned by someone - if you can find a remote island however - my understanding is that it is owned by the rivers authority - therefore you are unlikely to be woken up by an irate farmer in the middle of the night! I’ve got a couple of trips planned for the new year - the Waveney and one on the broads, I’ll give you a shout closer to the time if you’re interested!? Atb, Simon.
Simon, a bloke in the woods- Thanks Simon I'll look into the BCU and get a licence sorted. Yeah it looks so relaxing mate. And thank you for the offer to tag along pal I'd love to if that's OK? That's what I like about this community people always happy to help. Atb john
Anxiety attacks.....alcohol adds to it negatively the psychology of taking something can help. Your slightly stressed by the trip focus & many elements to it so even an easy drive up there & a canoe holiday can cause anxiety attacks...
Cheers Dan - Anxiety was ruled out (although I certainly was a little anxious about the trip!) I have a defective valve in my heart and suffered from Attrial Fibrillation (genetic) I’ve since had surgery to correct it which was a complete success - not had an episode in a year now! Whoop whoop!!
Hi Simon, thanks for posting this great video, I'm doing the stour river challenge in a couple of weeks time, Sudbury to cattawade in one day, apparently the record is eight and a half hours! Not sure I'll get close to that! 😄 I've not been on the stour before, so your video has been really helpful. Do you remember how many portage points the river had in total?
+andyroot100 -Hi and thanks for watching! Glad you found it useful too for your upcoming trip. There are 10 (if I remember correctly) some longer than others and some shootable. One of them I didn't actually realise I'd gone over until I had (but the water level was high!!) it's a lovely paddle, and doing it in a day should be no trouble if you don't dawdle too much like I did!! Lol. Good luck for the challenge. Atb, Simon.
Hello Simon, after watching your video blogs we’re off on Monday to paddle from Sudbury to Cattawade in our Old Town Camper! As you can appreciate it’s a comfortable canoe, but it’s almost impossible to travel light! Could you advise us if there are any portage points on route where it will not be possible to drag the boat? We’re just weighing up wether to take the trolley with us, but would prefer not to if it’s not necessary due to added weight. Best wishes L & C
I’m very envious - it’s a wonderful river, I think you’ll be okay mostly, one or two of the portages are longer than others, but you should manage as they are grassy, however, the one at flatford is a gritty path and longish, so that one may be a carry!! I’d say if you can stow your kit in bags you can shoulder it will make life easier for lugging the canoe or perhaps consider your trolley? I hope you have a wonderful trip! Happy paddling, Simon.
Hey m8, Another good video Simon, before taking my lad to Norway on a canoeing holiday. Before doing that I'm thinking about taking my lad for a weekend canoeing around Norfolk Broads. Do you know of any place e.g. small woodland where we can pitch up for a night or 2?
Cheers Peter. That sounds like a nice idea - you’ll have a lovely time! The only place I can think of is at Salhouse broad near Wroxham, I believe there is a legitimate wild camping spot there, otherwise it’s stealth camping! I’d have a look at some OS maps and see if you can spot some woodland close to the water but away from road access - always a risk, but sometimes it’s the only option! Good luck and happy paddling! Simon.
I like your tent. You got a link? Or tent name, where you bought it... I was on the Thames 7 days from Abingdon to East London (home), camping wild. I wanna do some rivers like this because I hate the motorized traffic on Thames and canals. I hate motorized stuff in general
Another great video Simon, I saw you mention on one of your earlier videos that you had a pile/pertex jacket, I was considering getting one myself but I'm a little concerned that it'd be a little too warm for the Irish climate. how's yours treating you?
Dan - Thanks Dan! I really like mine, I've had a Buffalo special 6 shirt and now have a Montane Extreme smock, which I think is miles better than the buffalo. It is warm, so only gets used in the winter, but you can wear it next to the skin down to sub zero temps. Great for cold evenings!!! It also stays warm even if soaked through so good canoeing kit too! I've used mine in the Welsh mountains in winter often, and have to unzip all the vents to avoid overheating, but that works fine. Im a big fan, can you tell? Atb, Simon.
Thanks Simon, that's kind of what I was worrying about if you have to fully vent the sides up the side of a mountain in the middle of winter to keep cool. We're a little short on mountains here (and winter), so I think maybe I'll try the less insulating pile/nylon option buffalo sells first and If I'm feeling a bit chilly then go for the montane at a later date.
Good morning Simon, my son has been inspired by you trip down the Stour so we are off to do the same journey on Monday. Booked in at the campsite and a new inflatable kayak birthday present is waiting for him for Monday. Just wanted to see if you have any tips? I haven't kayaked in 25 years and never done a portage, but have seen you didn't get out at 1, did you have to ride down it or was getting out optional? Thanks in advance. Jason
Sounds lovely Jason, you and your boy will have a wonderful trip - Quality father and son time! The portages are all straight forward and egress and access points are made easy with platforms that are well signposted. All the weirs and sluices have them, I just chose to shoot a couple, but you don’t have to - Langham flumes is good fun, but you may want to get out at the portage point and have a look first - the exit from the flumes is rocky and might not be a good idea in an inflatable - see what you think. There are some nice places to stop along the way - the pub in Nayland (where I met my mum and dad in the video) is only an hour or less paddle from your overnight camp spot, if you decide to have dinner and a refreshing pint after your first day! It’s a lovely river, one of my favourites - a bit of everything! Quiet and serene in sections, busier in others, shady woodland and open fields. I’m very jealous haha - have a great time!! All the very best, Simon
Rogelio Hernandez - cheers Rogelio. The tarp itself is PU coated nylon, so the rain won't come through (except for a tiny bit by the door when there is driving rain. There may be some water from the ground that gets under as there is no sewn-in groundsheet, but generally the rain soaks in to the ground except for super heavy prolonged rain. I use a small lightweight groundsheet inside which I can turn up at the edges to stop me getting wet if that does happen. Hope that helps!? Atb, Simon.
I always find it hilarious how many pill box's are present along the stour. Downstream from Sudbury it's too shallow for kayaking but some fool actually thought an invasion barge with 500 men and heavy artillery could make it upstream from the estery dispite the fact it's far too shallow and too narrow in quite a few places. Also you failed to mention the fact you are trespassing! All of the land on either side of the river is private and clearly signposted as no public access.
GoFeesh 85 - Thank you! It is homemade, it took me over 3 months working on it in the evenings and at weekends around my full time job. A lot of effort but worth every second!! It is by far the lightest, most agile and fastest canoe I've paddled. Well worth the effort to build a strip canoe!!
Hi Simon - just caught up with this one having bought a canoe last week and yet to venture out. The portages appear to be part of the challenge of canoeing. Just out of interest, I know you made your own canoe (superb). How much does it weigh please? Thanks - Paul
@@simonablokeinthewoods Thanks Simon. Mine is slightly heavier at around 35 kgs. Certainly not as light as some but with the addition of a trolley, shouldn't be too much of a problem. Its certainly going to be the week for the maiden voyage along the Ouse :-). ATB - Paul
Hey Simon. Did you do this as part of the official 'Sudbury to the sea' event or can I do this at any time. I'm only ten minutes from Sudbury. Regards Jim
Hi Jerry, thank you! Yes, homemade, cedar strip construction, sheathed in fibreglass. It’s light, fast and rigid - a lovely boat to paddle! I was using a Carlisle beaver tail paddle. A good all rounder, but best in deeper water. Atb, Simon.
Hi, great video, thank you. I've just been on the river stour and this video has me wanting to do the same trip from Sudbury to Manningtree. Do you know how many miles it is?
Just watched this video again,I can’t believe it’s been 6 years watching your video Simon time goes so fast
Fed up with the winter rain, snow, lock down???? Revisiting these videos cures all that!!
These 2 films were responsible for giving me that final kick up the arse and got me out there with the canoe. Never looked back since, thank you Simon. I started on this same river...........
Thank you for allowing us to ride along, Simon. It's a quality job you do on these videos. Don't know how I missed it, but I'm glad I found this one!
Part 2, up next. Cheers!
In the 1950s my family moved into the mill house near Cattawade after the watermill had closed down. As a boy I had the stretch up to Flatford to myself and seldom met another craft. The tidal lock was still working by itself, so care was needed there. Once during a spring tide I rowed an 8' dinghy down to Manningtree and up the other river branch, nearly getting stuck under the old road bridge, then near Flatford hauled it back onto the Cattawade 'canal' as it was called - a circular trip. I wish you had shown more of my old haunts, but thanks for this show.
Nice one Simon! This is my therapy 🙂
keep well Simon.
Thank you . Simon ,
🐺 Loupis Canis .
I grew up in Sudbury and used to go canoeing down the stour with the 3rd Sudbury B Pack scouts. Fond memories of those machine gun posts! Great video, reminded me of my childhood. Thanks 👍
Thank you- really glad you enjoyed it! I love the Stour, such a nice peaceful river. 😁🛶
Was fun to tag along on this part of your journey. Look forward to Part 2 ! Keep up the great work !
Loved this two day video Si, looking forward to watching the all the rest .
I thought I’d watched all your canoe camp trips, this one I missed, a nice surprise for this evenings viewing. 👍
I really enjoy your adventure video's Simon, looking forward to part 2.
Dave B. Thailand.
A real pleasure to watch your vids, Simon. Please keep them coming.
I love these two videos, Simon. Thank you for doing this.
Beautiful trip. I try to imagine doing that here in Houston Texas with the heat and alligators. I'm just now getting to the point of going to see doctor about Afib racing heart in the middle of night. Hope you're doing better. Thanks for sharing a view of the beautiful UK. Visited Ipswich and Colchester 25 + years ago in a two week visit from London to "Scotland one of my ancestorial places" Loved it.
Well done for sharing your health issues; glad you are still with us. My vintage is April 1959, you look like you might just make the cut as a late boomer. Do you need to carry a defibrillator with you, just in case? Glad to hear that you sought medical help; thoroughly enjoy all your videos which are so easy to watch and while away the evenings while I enjoy the early years of my retirement. Long may you continue to enjoy and share ventures in the outdoors.
Nice one 👍
I love your videos. They are so peaceful and I thoroughly enjoyed the 2 part river trip. You really take the time and get such great different angles, I feel like I am there! Thank you for your diligence and hard work with the editing and backtracking so we can get a full picture of your trip. Well done Simon!!
Thank you Laura. 😁👍🛶
Very nice Simon, I'm a little stressed at the moment and watching your day on the river was just the tonic I need. Thank you!
Knucker - glad it was a help my friend! Hope your stress dissipates! Tab, Simon.
Superb paddling Simon, I’ve watched this in reverse order, part two this morning and part one this afternoon. Well done a brilliant film. ⛺️
+LiveSimplyFilms Mountain Mike - Cheers Mike, appreciate the kind words! It was a lovely trip on a truly lovely bit of water! We are lucky in the part of the UK to have such a lot of nice quiet rivers. 🛶 Atb, Simon.
Thanks for sharing day one of your adventure! I always find your river trips so peaceful and calming, and very much enjoy the sights and sounds of nature. All the best as you continue to take care and manage the AF. I'll be looking forward to Part 2! :)
Linnee Kay - Thank you very much! I'm really glad you enjoyed the video, part 2 will follow shortly, I hope you enjoy that as much! Cheers, Simon.
Solid pronounciation of the river!!!! Very nice. @simon
That's a beautiful canoe you've made simon , any video's of you building it 🛶👌
Thanks Martin! Unfortunately not, I built it before I started making videos - it appears in quite a few other videos though. 👍🛶
Is that a pearsmarsh boat that you advertised ?
@Fraser ANDERSON No, it’s a cedar strip canoe that I built myself
Sweet little stream! I really enjoy small water ways.
Cheers, yes, most of the rivers in this part of the UK are small and intimate like this one. A bit pokey in places but I like that! Atb, Simon.
Looked nice and relaxing (apart from the portages lol) , enjoyed watching thanks !
Chris Millington - Thanks Chris, glad you enjoyed it! It certainly was relaxing, there's something about rivers!!! Even the portages were good fun - and punctuated the trip nicely. Atb, Simon.
I have the same or similar heart issue. In my case, giving up caffeine has been the solution. May sound strange, but I also find crouching down during an episode helps me recover more quickly.
Interesting about the crouching down! I’ve since had an ablation and the problem is now fixed - I’m cured! 😁
Yep, same here.... been on meds for many years that help minimize the events. Also watch my caffeine intake. Normally during an episode I could hold my breath with my arms straight above my head and the pressure on my heart would make it beat normally again. Weird... glad to hear you’re past this issue Simon.
I love your way to show the outdoor adventures that lies right at your doorstep, the miracles that you don't have to travel millions of miles in the wilderness to find. I'm totally baffeled that your channel hasn't got 1M subs, you must be the outdoor community's best kept secret!
Thank you mate! Maybe one day haha!!
We have lots of lovely secret and sometimes quite remote feeling spots right on our doorsteps - the rivers are a good example - you can get away from traffic noise and other signs of human activity. Sneak up on wildlife and enjoy some tranquility. Bliss! 😁👍🛶
Man, I used to match fish on the River Stour when living in Haverhill. I loved that river and sometimes would just sit for hours after a match with a line in the water but not caring if I caught anything. I would loved to canoe then but I was a young airman with three kids who ate me out of house and home :)
Hahaha - yep, I’ve got two of those - I know what you mean!! Lovely river, the Stour, I’m hoping to get back down there at some point! Cheers, Simon.
As usual , great video
Thank you Michael Robert! I wanted to reply to your post, but for some reason Google have changed things so that google+ users cannot reply to comments left by normal google users! I know, daft isn't it!! So I'm writing my reply as a separate comment. I'm thrilled that you enjoyed the video so much and that it brought back some pleasant old memories - I feel like I have done my job!! I fell in love with River Stour on this trip - stunningly beautiful! Tranquil and serene in some stretches, then a bit faster and more exciting in others! I will be returning for another dose of the medicine in the future!! Atb, Simon.
Just got a kayak and came across this video as part of my prep. So inspiring can't wait to get out on the River. Thank you
A beautiful video
Excellent part one Simon looked a very calming experience being on the river in relived your health condition was not as bad as you thought it might have been looking forward to p2 atb alb
Albert Jones - it certainly was - nothing quite like the gentle flow of the river to relax the mind! Atb mate, Simon.
Wonderful, relaxing 2 part show. Thanks for putting it together.
Love the stour river beautiful place haven't done this stretch yet will do now thanks to the video and definitely need lots of food on trips like this 😃
this is like one of those asmr videos , its great for ambience.
What a beautiful boat and cruise. Another gorgeous video.
Great video , just waiting for my kayak to arrive as this Sunday I’ll be on my maiden voyage . Thanks
Cheers Paul! Exciting stuff! Good luck on your first outing - river or lake? Atb, Simon
River stour Simon ,it’s just an hour from me starting at Cattawade.is ok to camp over night along the river ? By the way love your canoe great job 😊
That's a beautiful part of the country simon , sudbury my sister used to own a cottage not far from some silk mills , I thoroughly enjoyed my 2 week stay there 👌 and of course we had to visit the crooked house 👍🛶
Great video. Just started kayaking & love the Stour 👌🛶
Excellent. Don't know how you managed to film it all on your own. Inspiring.
Hello Simon! Bannock with almost anything is good, jam and butter like a scone is fantastic. Make yourself some proper ham and pea soup, eat that with Bannock and you'll be eating a true Canadian Voyageur meal...splendid after canoeing. A woolen anorak made from a Hudson Bay Company blanket would put the accuracy through the roof!!!! Cheers!
Ooooh - ham and pea soup, I’ve not had that for years! Got a taste for it now!! 😁 I searched for a Hudson Bay blanket a few years ago, I was astonished how much they go for!!
Sorry to inform people but the boxted bridge is closed to both road and river traffic. So Sudbury to the sea is a no go atm as there is ne portage option around the bridge.
Was going to do this trip and was researching a few videos, maybe next year!
@@bgoodbourn the bridge has been closed for nearly a year. Sadly it might be several more before anything is done to replace it. It's the same with the Weir at Colchester's castle park. The river Colne has been closed since December due to what's left of the Weir and bridge being deemed unsafe. Again no sign of it being put right.
You're inspiring me to give up cigarettes and do the outdoor thing myself but with the wife!
Cigs, give them up. You will feel better fast. Best thing I ever did for myself.
Yes, quit the cigs. But, the very worst augment my wife of 47 years ever had was canoeing
We have not canoed for 45 years....we are very happy
Big fan Trinidad
Sounds like we have paroxysmal AF (PAF) in common, mine is triggered by certain well known coffee brands (I’ve stopped drinking coffee 😥) or if I get trapped wind, I find forced burping helps significantly if not completely. Chat with your GP about self conversion and vagal stimulation as an alternative to medications. Cracking vid as always 👍🏻
Thanks for your efforts, Will watch your other videos.
Greetings from the other side of the North Sea
Great vid Simon
Excellent viewing....both parts...a great journey, documented perfectly...will be making many a river journey in a tandem canoe (not as nice as your Vessel!) soon as possible...more rivers please...and with wild camping advice if poss etc...Spearhead our mission! Bravo.
Hahaha! A man after my own heart! Plenty more to come! Atb, Simon.
Man absolutely a beautiful canoe you have there...
Honey , ritz crackers are high with sodium. Sodium is not heart friendly. I like very much watching your videos . Stay happy.
Simon, I hope you keep up with follow up appointments with your cardiologist. The atrial fibrillation ablation may not be a one time thing for you. I hate to stick my nose into your business; but, you have so many of us who truly care for you. Please take your meds on time and keep up with your follow up cardiology visits. Like the Nike commercial says, “Just do it.” Texas
Cheers mate! I’ve now been discharged with a clean bill of health, I’ve been taken off all my medication and all is well since the ablation - I guess I’m one of the lucky ones who it worked for first time! 😁👍 hugely appreciate the thought mate!!
Just seen this video as I’m working my way through your back catalogue whilst on hols. Good to hear you’re off the heart meds Simon. I had a heart incident out of the blue in Jan 2020. Thankfully not heart disease related, so I was able to pretty much fully recover. However, country and coastal walks in East Anglia have been great therapy. Keep well mate. Cheers.
being in the states I googled your route and traced it down - it looks like a great trip - loving the scenery and comments - maybe, just maybe I can get back to England and Wales before I am too old to do some paddling on the Stour
It’s a lovely river! When all this madness is over, I’m going to return and paddle it again. 👍🛶
great video! just found it...... and what a beautiful canoe you have there ! absolutely gorgous to watch the front swing to the right......swing to the left
Thanks Matt! 😁🛶
Super video. Enjoying your posts immensely here in the (former) colonies. For some reason your comment on the WW2 bunkers caught my attention. A little bit of work on google maps and it seems you are indeed pretty far up the Stour. Not that it matters a great deal but it would appear these are the remnants of defensive preparations in case unwanted relatives from Germany landed in the vicinity of Ipswich and decided to visit London. Uninvited guests can be so annoying.
Wow, what a great video. If you don't do this sort of thing professionally (informative adventure videos) you really should! I've booked a canoe so I can do part of this trip on Saturday - but plan to do the entire journey asap. Looking forward to part 2. Thanks
Thank you, you are very kind! The Stour is a lovely river - gently meandering, serene and peaceful for the most part and gives you the impression you are much more remote than you really are hahah! I hope you enjoy your day paddle - I’m sure it will wet your appetite for the full trip! Happy paddling, Simon. 🛶
2nd time watching this video. I've been on many of your journeys and this time it made me think. I'm an "Obsessive" and would want to trim some of the low hanging branches that are in the way. Are there Enviromental Laws that prevent that?
A lovely experience just watching it
Looks beautiful!
Cheers! It a lovely river, the Stour. You get the impression you’re much more remote than you actually are! Atb, Simon.
Gosh, welcome to the arythmia club. 4 years ago I'd done the first training of the new season with, amongst others, my GP and the very next morning when checking me for the medical certificate he found me that. Had another bout last june, only it doesn't manifest itself as with you, both times it went unnotived save on the ECG. Well, we simply have to live on with that sort of stuff, haven't we? It certainly hasn't doused my will to go out in the open air.
A fellow ‘dodgy ticker’ club member! It’s actually much more common than people think! Mine thankfully is sorted out now, but, like you I was determined not to let it stop me doing things!! Atb, Simon
I used to work for a landscaping company in nay land which sat on the river, there’s a metal corrugated tunnel under the road just before the stretch over river next to it.
I know the tunnel well! Nayland is lovely. 👍🛶
Hi simon can you use a canoe trolly on all the portages from sudbury to nayland,cheers terry.
Hi Simon - Whereabouts in Sudbury did you start please mate? I want to do the stour and get down to Fordwich and Sudbury seems a good place to start. Thanks in advance
Fantastic
+Martin Outdoors69 - Cheers Martin, thanks for coming along - the Stour is a gorgeous river, one of my favourites.
All this time later this is still one of my favourite canoe videos..👍
Simon:
I had a bout of Atrial Fib in 2004... My heart was so out of rhythm they had to stop it and then restart it to get it back to a natural beat.
Been good ever since as long as I take my meds...
Hope they got you sorted out.
Please keep your videos coming, you have a gift for doing this.
Thank you Rod! Glad you’ve been free of problems since you’re episode! I spent quite a few visits to A and E being pumped full of drugs to get my heart back in rhythm - shocking was on the cards as an option, but never got that far! I had an ablation in the end and was completely cured - off all my meds now and been discharged from Cardio for 12 months. 👍😅
@@simonablokeinthewoods
Awesome and good for you...These doctors never mentioned an ablation and when I brought it up I was told the"Atrium" was too hard to get to.
I think it's just a way to keep me buying drugs and going in every year for a check-up...lol
@@simonablokeinthewoods good man
I really enjoy camping and canoeing adventures and your's is one of the best and most exciting. Just a little comment, have you thought of doing a split view video where you have a small image of yourself on a background of the river journey itself? Thanks for sharing and as this is the first of your videos, I'm going to watch the next tomorrow as it's rather late, 1.47am I'll sub your channel, but in the meantime. Take care...
John King - Thanks John, glad you enjoyed it! I like the idea of a split window or a frame-in-frame clip especially for bits like the weir shooting, but at the time I wasn't set up for it - I now have one of those action cameras, so I might give it a go. Hope you enjoy part 2! Atb, Simon.
Hi Simon, your videos has inspired me to start canoeing again and I was thinking about starting on the River Stour. I was just wondering what the name of the campsite you stayed at so I can look it up. Love your videos!
Thank you Jess! So glad you’ve been inspired to get back on the water - such a nice way to travel and you see so much more!!
The campsite is called Rushbanks - it’s a nice little site, no electricity (solar powered showers etc) and you can have an open fire if it’s off the ground. 🔥😁
@@simonablokeinthewoods Solar powered shower 😱 now that is something I must see, Greta Thunberg would be proud 😂 Nothing like roasting marshmallows on an open fire after canoeing 🚣
Hey, I didn't know you had AF. I get this too, not too often but enough to be annoying. Mine can last upto 12 hours before resolving itself to a normal beat.
Thanks Barry! Mine used to last hours like yours does - have now had an ablation and it’s completely cured! Good old NHS - the wonders of modern medicine! I assume you’ve had yours checked out? Atb, Simon
@@simonablokeinthewoods They are starting to consider an ablation for me too, don't fancy the idea so am sort of putting it off lol.
Barry Walker - it sounds more scary than it is - mine was all done under local anaesthetic (although I was given some pretty mega drugs haha!) and I was out of hospital the next morning - recovery time is quick too - the only external wound is where they go in at the top of your leg! There is always the chance that it won’t work first time, and you might need it doing again, I was lucky - they fixed it first time!
I have to watch the rest of this video. You brought the LK with you, so there must be a lot of portages along the way. Wonder if you snuck the cast iron frying pan into your own pack? lol as always, gonna love watching this one ATB Simon
Thank you! Lots or portages on the Stour, fortunately none are very long. 👍😁
That was odd. I grew up in Bournemouth and spent a lot of time in and around the river Stour, but had never heard of Sudbury. Having Googled the location I’m assuming either there are two River Stours or one massive one!
There are at least three rivers Stour in England. The one that runs near Canterbury is also famous.
@@oldben5772 Not in Bournemouth it isn't!
I vote Simon the nicest guy in the world
Great video. How do you secure the two paddle handles in your tipi tarp set-up, to stop it collapsing in any wind?
Back in 1975 I spent 14 months in Germany, I took a rubber raft canoe down the Lahn river for a short time off ( slept under the canoe ). On two different trips I was attacked by a band of swans at the very same curve in the river. How is it they let you just float by???
Haha - that sounds like bad luck my friend! There used to be a very territorial swan on my local river, that would have a go at anyone who came near - luckily it isn’t around any more!! (Nothing to do with me, honest!) Usually they’ll let you be but just keep an eye on you, especially if they have Signets.
Man passed up a great opportunity missing those mulberry trees
simon your a chip,per of the old block lovely video
I know nothing about canoeing, but why not use lightweight plastic wheels and a lightweight, aluminium frame, that fits one third down the underneath the canoe. Leave your gear in the canoe and pull it?
What didn't stop at the Henny Swan for a swift refresher ?!
Shame, I've never passed without stopping...
Hahaha - next time! I was under strict instructions not to indulge by my doctor at the time! (Now cured!!) Atb, Simon
fantastic video pal. Would you ever consider taking people with you on a trip like this? atb john
+Big John's Bushcraft - Thanks John, glad you enjoyed it! I haven’t done before, but that doesn’t mean I wouldn’t. Do you do much paddling?
Simon, a bloke in the woods- only ever done it when I was younger. It's always been a dream to paddle and camp, but dont no where i could go or aloud to go. It looks so relaxing and peaceful. I'm looking to buy a canoe like yours just after Christmas and want to get into it. Also
just like to say your videos are always amazing and full of information. Atb John
+Big John's Bushcraft - Cheers John! There’s nothing quite like it - the world seams different when viewed from water level! - very relaxing. You can paddle pretty much wherever you like on UK rivers - but you are supposed to have a licence - join the BCU and the licence is included! As for camping, you kind of have to use your judgement and discretion - stealth and just being sensible is what I do - but it’s always a risk - the land is most likely owned by someone - if you can find a remote island however - my understanding is that it is owned by the rivers authority - therefore you are unlikely to be woken up by an irate farmer in the middle of the night! I’ve got a couple of trips planned for the new year - the Waveney and one on the broads, I’ll give you a shout closer to the time if you’re interested!? Atb, Simon.
Simon, a bloke in the woods- Thanks Simon I'll look into the BCU and get a licence sorted. Yeah it looks so relaxing mate. And thank you for the offer to tag along pal I'd love to if that's OK? That's what I like about this community people always happy to help. Atb john
Big John's Bushcraft - Always mate! 👍
Anxiety attacks.....alcohol adds to it negatively the psychology of taking something can help.
Your slightly stressed by the trip focus & many elements to it so even an easy drive up there & a canoe holiday can cause anxiety attacks...
Cheers Dan - Anxiety was ruled out (although I certainly was a little anxious about the trip!) I have a defective valve in my heart and suffered from Attrial Fibrillation (genetic) I’ve since had surgery to correct it which was a complete success - not had an episode in a year now! Whoop whoop!!
Hi Simon, thanks for posting this great video, I'm doing the stour river challenge in a couple of weeks time, Sudbury to cattawade in one day, apparently the record is eight and a half hours! Not sure I'll get close to that! 😄 I've not been on the stour before, so your video has been really helpful. Do you remember how many portage points the river had in total?
+andyroot100 -Hi and thanks for watching! Glad you found it useful too for your upcoming trip. There are 10 (if I remember correctly) some longer than others and some shootable. One of them I didn't actually realise I'd gone over until I had (but the water level was high!!) it's a lovely paddle, and doing it in a day should be no trouble if you don't dawdle too much like I did!! Lol. Good luck for the challenge. Atb, Simon.
Hello Simon, after watching your video blogs we’re off on Monday to paddle from Sudbury to Cattawade in our Old Town Camper! As you can appreciate it’s a comfortable canoe, but it’s almost impossible to travel light! Could you advise us if there are any portage points on route where it will not be possible to drag the boat? We’re just weighing up wether to take the trolley with us, but would prefer not to if it’s not necessary due to added weight. Best wishes L & C
I’m very envious - it’s a wonderful river, I think you’ll be okay mostly, one or two of the portages are longer than others, but you should manage as they are grassy, however, the one at flatford is a gritty path and longish, so that one may be a carry!! I’d say if you can stow your kit in bags you can shoulder it will make life easier for lugging the canoe or perhaps consider your trolley? I hope you have a wonderful trip! Happy paddling, Simon.
Simon, a bloke in the woods Thanks Simon, really appreciate your response, looking forward to the adventure!
Hey m8,
Another good video Simon, before taking my lad to Norway on a canoeing holiday. Before doing that I'm thinking about taking my lad for a weekend canoeing around Norfolk Broads. Do you know of any place e.g. small woodland where we can pitch up for a night or 2?
Cheers Peter. That sounds like a nice idea - you’ll have a lovely time! The only place I can think of is at Salhouse broad near Wroxham, I believe there is a legitimate wild camping spot there, otherwise it’s stealth camping! I’d have a look at some OS maps and see if you can spot some woodland close to the water but away from road access - always a risk, but sometimes it’s the only option! Good luck and happy paddling! Simon.
I like your tent. You got a link? Or tent name, where you bought it...
I was on the Thames 7 days from Abingdon to East London (home), camping wild.
I wanna do some rivers like this because I hate the motorized traffic on Thames and canals.
I hate motorized stuff in general
Me too!
The tent was made from my DD 3x3 tarp - I have a video on the set-up if you’re interested. 👍
Another great video Simon, I saw you mention on one of your earlier videos that you had a pile/pertex jacket, I was considering getting one myself but I'm a little concerned that it'd be a little too warm for the Irish climate. how's yours treating you?
Dan - Thanks Dan! I really like mine, I've had a Buffalo special 6 shirt and now have a Montane Extreme smock, which I think is miles better than the buffalo. It is warm, so only gets used in the winter, but you can wear it next to the skin down to sub zero temps. Great for cold evenings!!! It also stays warm even if soaked through so good canoeing kit too! I've used mine in the Welsh mountains in winter often, and have to unzip all the vents to avoid overheating, but that works fine. Im a big fan, can you tell? Atb, Simon.
Thanks Simon, that's kind of what I was worrying about if you have to fully vent the sides up the side of a mountain in the middle of winter to keep cool. We're a little short on mountains here (and winter), so I think maybe I'll try the less insulating pile/nylon option buffalo sells first and If I'm feeling a bit chilly then go for the montane at a later date.
Who filmed you going down the weir at 11.27 if your on your own
Good morning Simon, my son has been inspired by you trip down the Stour so we are off to do the same journey on Monday. Booked in at the campsite and a new inflatable kayak birthday present is waiting for him for Monday. Just wanted to see if you have any tips? I haven't kayaked in 25 years and never done a portage, but have seen you didn't get out at 1, did you have to ride down it or was getting out optional?
Thanks in advance.
Jason
Sounds lovely Jason, you and your boy will have a wonderful trip - Quality father and son time!
The portages are all straight forward and egress and access points are made easy with platforms that are well signposted. All the weirs and sluices have them, I just chose to shoot a couple, but you don’t have to - Langham flumes is good fun, but you may want to get out at the portage point and have a look first - the exit from the flumes is rocky and might not be a good idea in an inflatable - see what you think.
There are some nice places to stop along the way - the pub in Nayland (where I met my mum and dad in the video) is only an hour or less paddle from your overnight camp spot, if you decide to have dinner and a refreshing pint after your first day!
It’s a lovely river, one of my favourites - a bit of everything! Quiet and serene in sections, busier in others, shady woodland and open fields. I’m very jealous haha - have a great time!! All the very best, Simon
Simon, a bloke in the woods
Thank you, that is a relief.
Mmmmmm, awesome
Nayland I drive past there to go to karate 🤣 small world 🌍 (but not at this current time with Covid 😒)
Might be a silly question, but how do you keep the rain from coming inside the tarp tent? I do not mean the door.
Rogelio Hernandez - cheers Rogelio. The tarp itself is PU coated nylon, so the rain won't come through (except for a tiny bit by the door when there is driving rain. There may be some water from the ground that gets under as there is no sewn-in groundsheet, but generally the rain soaks in to the ground except for super heavy prolonged rain. I use a small lightweight groundsheet inside which I can turn up at the edges to stop me getting wet if that does happen. Hope that helps!? Atb, Simon.
+Simon, a bloke in the woods yes, that's precisely what I was thinking. Upturned groundsheet. Thanks Bro!
I have a question that I hope you could answer?.. Is your cedar canoe more heavier than a fiber glass version?..
Kind regards
Have you done the Thames yet?
Not yet! 😁
I always find it hilarious how many pill box's are present along the stour. Downstream from Sudbury it's too shallow for kayaking but some fool actually thought an invasion barge with 500 men and heavy artillery could make it upstream from the estery dispite the fact it's far too shallow and too narrow in quite a few places.
Also you failed to mention the fact you are trespassing! All of the land on either side of the river is private and clearly signposted as no public access.
Beautiful Canoe! Did you make it yourself or purchase?
GoFeesh 85 - Thank you! It is homemade, it took me over 3 months working on it in the evenings and at weekends around my full time job. A lot of effort but worth every second!! It is by far the lightest, most agile and fastest canoe I've paddled. Well worth the effort to build a strip canoe!!
Simon, what hat are you wearing? Tilley?
Canoeman094 - Yes sir, a hemp Tilley, bloody good hat too! And it floats!! Atb, Simon.
Hi Simon - just caught up with this one having bought a canoe last week and yet to venture out. The portages appear to be part of the challenge of canoeing. Just out of interest, I know you made your own canoe (superb). How much does it weigh please? Thanks - Paul
Thanks Paul! It weights 27kg - light enough to portage easily. Hope you get out on the water soon! 🛶
@@simonablokeinthewoods Thanks Simon. Mine is slightly heavier at around 35 kgs. Certainly not as light as some but with the addition of a trolley, shouldn't be too much of a problem. Its certainly going to be the week for the maiden voyage along the Ouse :-). ATB - Paul
Hey Simon.
Did you do this as part of the official 'Sudbury to the sea' event or can I do this at any time.
I'm only ten minutes from Sudbury.
Regards
Jim
A lot of water in a river? Well who'd of thunk it!??😄
Another cracking video Simon, did you make your own canoe ?, its lovely, also what paddle model do you use ?
Hi Jerry, thank you! Yes, homemade, cedar strip construction, sheathed in fibreglass. It’s light, fast and rigid - a lovely boat to paddle! I was using a Carlisle beaver tail paddle. A good all rounder, but best in deeper water. Atb, Simon.
I know this is an old video but I live near sudders (Sudbury)
Hi, great video, thank you. I've just been on the river stour and this video has me wanting to do the same trip from Sudbury to Manningtree. Do you know how many miles it is?
Thank you! I can’t remember the mileage I’m afraid, but it’s an easy 2 day paddle. 👍