17th November 2019: Avon River

Date:    17/11/2019
River:    Avon River, Christchurch, NZ
River Conditions:   1.983 cumecs at Gloucester Street bridge. Water mostly clear. Grade 1.
Weather Conditions:   Sunny and warm, nor-easterly breezes.
Number on Trip:    2 people.
Time on River:  1 hour.
Comments:  Another beautiful day and Lauri was keen for a paddle so we got up and sorted out the boats and gear. It isn’t as much drama to get kitted up and out the door as it was to begin with. Greta the Shelduck showed no interest in following us down to the river and was happy to remain sitting on top of my car, so we left her on her perch and trundled down to the Avon, Lauri towing her Prijon Fly on her little trolley and me carrying Blitz on my shoulder, enjoying it’s lightness over the much heavier Salto.

We seal launched from the bank, after packing Lauri’s trolley into the back of her kayak and headed down stream. Lauri noted she enjoyed the feeling of weightlessness of gliding over the water that kayaking gave her and it has been really great to share this with her and to see her enjoying being out on the water again. It is so nice to have such easy access to the river without the drama of driving anywhere.

Paddling up Dudley Creek was just like being out in the countryside.

We paddled down river as far as Dudley Creek and since the water level has reasonably high, we paddled under the bridge to explore the creek. Before the quakes there were a number of nice houses along the stream banks, accessible from Banks Avenue, now there is just grassland and trees, giving the feeling that you are paddling on a quiet brook through the countryside. We paddle as far as we could, disturbing a group of scaups, before our way was blocked by a low concrete bridge.

Exiting Dudley Creek and out on to the mighty Avon.

We turned back and paddled back upstream, collecting a couple of floating drink cans that had been discarded in to the river. Lauri also spotted a floating dolls head, looking somewhat worst for its time in the river. We retrieved it, as a slightly grotesque trophy and to reduce the amount of rubbish in the river,

We paddle passed Swanns Road bridge and said hello to the black swans, who were no longer sitting on their nest as they were the proud parents of five new signets. Then back down to the jetty and home for lunch, to find Greta still sitting on the car roof and asking for food too.