Friday 23 July 2010

Even more Canoeing

Canoeing on the Dordogne

The last of the three rivers we paddle on is the Dordogne. We paddles from Cazoules to Montfort on the first day, exploring the islands along the way and sometimes stopping off for a swim.

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On the next day we continue down to Beynac, past Roque-Gageac and Castelnaud.

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On the final day we paddle down to Soriac. Sometimes we have an early morning paddle and hike before breakfast. Afterwards we visit the castle at Beynac, paddles down to the Chateau Milandes for a look around there before the last lazy paddle downstream.

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Thursday 22 July 2010

More on Canoeing

The Cele River

We spend three days paddling down the Cele River in the Lot region of France. In fact, at the last, we join the Lot River at Bouzies to finish.

The first day we put in at Eulalie and paddle down to Marcilhac and have to negotiate a series of barrages (small dams).

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Before the paddle we do a walk high above the river to admire the views.

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Our second day takes from Marcilhac down to Cabrerets. We take the chhute over the dam at Marcilhac but have to portage around the one further downstream.

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On our third day we first the caves and paintings at Peche Merle before shooting the chute over the dam at Cabrerets and paddling down to the Lot.

We finish off the day with a riverbank walk to St. Cirq Lapopie.

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Monday 19 July 2010

Three Canoe Trips Behind Me

Canoe France

As usual I've been away in the Perigord/Dordogne/Lot regions of France guiding a series of canoe trips. These trips are run by Battenkill Canoe and I work as  River and Trail Guide.

The 12 day trip is spread over three rivers; the Vezere, the Cele and the Dordogne, with a rest day between each.

The first day on the Vezere goes from Montignac to St. Leon-sur-Vezere and passes several small but dramataic chateaus.

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The second day, from St. Leon down to Les Eyzies, passes some famous sites known for Troglodyte dwellings for many thousands of years.

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It's then a rest day where we visit Sarlat and Rocamadour.

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