Our campsite at Anglars-Juillac is also the location for hire of kayaks, paddle boards and bikes in this area so we decided to hire kayaks for half a day and see some of the scenery from a different perspective.
As we had breakfast overlooking the river, our fellow camper, Rob the Dutchman, returned from another overnight fishing trip. We enquired as to how he had got on and he told us he had only caught a small fish. When we asked what he considered to be ‘small’, he replied it was only 1.2m long – not to be sniffed at we thought. He then proceeded to extract the ‘small’ catfish from the river and show it to us before releasing the fish back into the river. Catfish are certainly not going to win any beauty contests and they have a prehistoric look about them with leathery skin (no scales) and a fine set of teeth.
The conditions on the river were perfect with a cloudless sky and still water, but we wore our life jackets as the thought of falling in the water and meeting the no doubt grumpy catfish or his larger friend did not appeal. We paddled at a leisurely pace for about 1.5 hours until we arrived at the Castelfranc lock and tied up to a pontoon for our picnic lunch. We then paddled back enjoying the wildlife and having a good nose at properties that front onto the river.
Travelling at such a slow pace both on and off the river certainly gives you the chance to enjoy the scenery and flora and fauna. Summer flowers are on show in abundance and we tend to see most birds in the morning, including the black crowned heron, the elusive (i.e too fast to be photographed) kingfisher and swifts soaring down to the river to take on water on the wing. The green frogs that live on the riverbank are marvellous ventriloquists and mimics, throwing their voices up and down the river and sounding for all the world like maverick ducks. We have also enjoyed seeing many different varieties of butterflies including the exotic ‘Scarce Swallowtail’ which seemed determined to stay in the canopy area of our awning.
On return to the campsite in the kayak we spotted a small water snake ahead of us – another incentive not to fall in the river and we were pleased to make it back to dry land – with no ramming of the pontoon this time.
I’m very envious of your kayak trip, it’s a great way to pass a few hours. You definitely notice the nature around you a lot more travelling this way. I can’t wait until I take mine to the Norfolk Broads at the end of the week, hopefully I won’t encounter any snakes!
Hope the sun will shine for you Jen x
Great photos. What a lovely way to spend the time.