Three Day Canoe Camping Trip. River Medway Tidal Estuary. Camping in an Abandoned Fort.
In this video, I am down in Kent for a three day wild camping canoe adventure on the tidal river Medway with Andy from Kent Survival.
In this episode, we set off from Queensborough, paddling up the Swale and past Deadman’s Island before joining the main river channel. With the wind behind us and making the most of the powerful incoming tide, we make our way westwards, stopping for lunch on Burntwick Island. After a short rest, we continue paddling up the enormous estuary, miles from the shore, passing container ships and rusting, deep water jetties before reaching our destination for the night - the abandoned 19th century Fort Darnet.
Darnet Fort, along with its sister battery at Hoo Fort, were built in the 1870s to protect the Royal Naval dockyard at Chatham. Armed with 11 canons covering the full 360 degrees and with a garrison of 100 men, the forts were never used for their intended purpose. Sadly, the forts began to slowly sink into the soft tidal mud and they were abandoned before the first world war, making a brief service as observation posts during the second world war.
We made ourselves comfortable for the night after dragging all of our gear, including the canoes, into the fort. A warming fire in one of the original fire places, a dinner of steaks, a couple of fine ales and good old catch up - perfect!
Please also head over to Kent Survival to watch Andy’s video of the trip.
Stay tuned for part two, coming soon.
I hope you enjoy the video.
Thanks for watching!
Links
Andy’s Video of the trip (Kent Survival)
• Island Fort Overnighte...
Wildcamp Phil’s video (the inspiration for this trip!)
• Into the Estuary - 4 D...
The Steak Shop
www.thesteakshop.co.uk
PCF hot sauce
www.perkoschilefarm.store/
Richard Outdoors Fire Trough
richardoutdoors.com/products/...
Silverbirch Canoes
www.silverbirchcanoes.com/
Contact me at:
simonablokeinthewoods@gmail.com
Or by mail at:
Simon, a bloke in the woods
PO Box 384
Diss
Norfolk
IP22 9DB
UK
Facebook - Simon, a bloke in the woods
Simon-a-blok...
Instagram - simon_a_bloke_in_the_woods
simon_a_blo...
Music:
In the sweet by and by By Zachariah Hickman
Autumn Sunset By Audionautix
Пікірлер: 516
Wow that's a long camp, a whole fort night
@ccmogs5757
3 жыл бұрын
lol , should"ve been FOuRTeen days :)
@roybinson6460
3 жыл бұрын
Hehe!
@simonablokeinthewoods
3 жыл бұрын
Hahaha - that’s good!!! 😂
@deborahhoch2662
3 жыл бұрын
That was good std🤭
@mcgsc
Жыл бұрын
😂
What A power couple you two are 😂 these collaborations are my favourites hands down
I love your music choices for the shows.
Bear burrito. LOL. No bears down here in Kent, except for the one you're camping with.
@simonablokeinthewoods
3 жыл бұрын
😂😂😂
I watch all Simon’s older videos I choose to watch these even though I’m on my third watch all his back catalogue- I choose this over Netflix or anything else :)
Why in the world would anyone dislike this?
@nicolab2075
3 жыл бұрын
Well me for one, my fat thumbs press the wrong buttons. I find weird random videos in my 'liked' folder too 🤣😊🤣
Two of my favourite KZreadrs back entertaining us together again 🤩
Canoeing, steaks, beer, good friends, can't get any better.
@nicolab2075
3 жыл бұрын
Well maybe another couple of steaks...
Loved it when you said "l'm starving !" and proceeded to sink your teeth into the mre bag.😅
Andy “Simon what side dishes are we having with the steak? Simon “Another steak mate.” Andy “Brilliant.”
Great to see you two out and about on another adventure together!👍🏻
YES.YES YES A NEW SImon and Andy adventure .we missed them. Thank you gentlemen, outstanding work as always and much appreciated. I would recommend every neewbie binge watch Simon and Andy vids, then perhaps Line of Duty.
@simonablokeinthewoods
3 жыл бұрын
Hahaha - thank you!!
The music made me think of a very similar old fort near Grand Isle, Louisiana
“There’s nothing - absolutely nothing - half so much worth doing as messing about in boats” - Kenneth Grahame, The Wind in THe Willows
@tonywoollcombe1799
3 жыл бұрын
Good old Ratty
@simonablokeinthewoods
3 жыл бұрын
Absolutely! 🛶
@nicolab2075
3 жыл бұрын
@@simonablokeinthewoods That canoe emoji looks EXACTLY like your beautiful canoe!
You know that was enough steak for six people, right? 😆
Thank you , Simon . 🐺 Loupis Canis .
Great to see Simon and Andy together canoeing and camping amazing video nice one Simon.
@suchetadutta1570
3 жыл бұрын
Same same
What a unique canoe trip. I could almost picture you two as soldiers stationed there on a slow day at the fort. Fascinating place, much enjoyed!
🌊🛶🛶⛺⛺🛡🛡♨️🍽🍽🥩🥩🍺🍺🍻🌝🌛🌅 My Dream Adventure Trip Of A Lifetime 😊. SPLENDID video. 😊 Love it when Historical Sights are revisited by current generations.
So excited to see the boys back together!
Simon and Andy back at it!!!!!! GREEN with envy!!!! Cheers!
Wow! Our neck of the woods! If we saw you we'd have shouted and waved. 😊
@simonablokeinthewoods
3 жыл бұрын
And we’d have waved back! Next time. 👍👍
Brilliant trip, wow, looking forward to the next bit. Lovely steaks, now that's food for Fort!
Amazing trip but even better having a good friend and a adventure. Nice video. Cheers from the States
Yaas! Perfect antidote to being back at work :)
@guile108
3 жыл бұрын
"yaas!" is the antidote to manhood.
@simonablokeinthewoods
3 жыл бұрын
Thanks matey! 😁👍
Great vid Simon, nice drone shots. That fort looked awesome, and dangerous!! Looking forward to watching part 2. My son and I did the Stour in the opposite direction to the way you went the other day. Andrew.
It's good to see the boys back together 😁
Banjo music and canoes. I thought I was watching deliverance for a moment there
@richo1177
3 жыл бұрын
Squeal piggy
That Fort looked a great place. I'd have stayed a couple of days. Or even a Fort night😂
Always enjoy the vicarious experience of your adventures with Kent Survival, and each of you guys separately. Just watched his version. Have to say I also like the music at the beginning.
What a trip! Something I have often daydreamed about whenever I sail to Chatham...And what a film, you just take it up and up..........as always, thank you
@simonablokeinthewoods
3 жыл бұрын
Thanks mate! 👍👍👍
@mediocrefunkybeat
3 жыл бұрын
The only danger is that you might actually have to go into Chatham at the end of it...
Great to see you two back together again on an adventure. Cracking music as well, very frontierish
Thank you gents! What an amazing place to spend a night.. look forward to part 2.. meanwhile I'm heading over to Andys' place to check out his versjon :-) Cheers, Glenn.
Simply beautiful. History and good friendship.
Would be interesting to scuba dive that fort to see what the lower levels are like.
@nickyfield137
3 жыл бұрын
You can go first !
@jonahtwhale1779
3 жыл бұрын
Wet
@maryjones8554
3 жыл бұрын
I reckon it’d be too dangerous what with all the mud. It’s an area of dangerous mud.
@simonablokeinthewoods
3 жыл бұрын
Hoo fort on the other side of the Medway is identical and the lower level is dry 👍👍
@maryjones8554
3 жыл бұрын
@@Peace.Love.Psychedelics just because i disagree with you don't be so condescending! Do you know the area like i do? Probably not! The river Medway is known locally for mud, lots of mud and in some areas id if get into it you won't get out without help!
I like the way how you incidentally show the J-stroke in almost every one of your canoe episodes. The hook at the end just straightens the canoe's course in the water.
Hi what a great 3 days out on the water, you remember that one, it's what life all about, thanks for sharing it with us.
Well what can I say all the puns have been taken......except to say that the both of you have given us immense pleasure over COVID and beyond. So a big thank you 🍺🥃
Simon and Andy camp-outs again! I love it when you two are able to camp together. Good vibes. 🛶🔥🛶 What an interesting place to be!
Another great video Simon, w/ Andy, always entertaining, relaxing, good job guys 🌈❤️🇵🇭
Wednesday evening, pint of cider, and a double header Simon and Andy vid's. Oh and a Haze Outdoors as well. Spoilt for choice!! 😉
@SonofChurchill
3 жыл бұрын
I'm on same trip KZread outdoors
WOW those steaks are amazing lol and how you cooked it , fanstastic
It is really fabulous to see the two of you together again!
I really enjoy your videos, Simon. They are relaxing and educational. You and Andy make a great pair! Thank you for your willingness to share your time with us.
That was a very interesting trip. Thanks for taking us along. I’ll check it out on Andy’s Channel for sure. Howdy from South Jersey.
Good to see the two of you back on the trail Simon. Looking forward to part two.
just watched Andy's vid, great to see you 2 out together again !!!!!1
Your Video was on first so Andy will have to wait! 👍❤️
How utterly fabulous
Glad you're able to get out again, great seeing you two enjoying yourselves!
Brilliant video!! 🚣 ⛺️🔥🥩🍻 Really enjoyed seeing the architecture of the fort. 😁
You could just live there I couldn’t you? Imagine having a little motorboat and just going back to shore when you need supplies. That sounds amazing
Fantastic... Now got Andys take on the trip 👍😁👍
I'd camp with these guys anytime, anywhere.
When IO saw Biscuits Brown I said good luck with your teeth. Then you just bit into it and no problem. They have changed. They were excellent for use as a concealed carry weapon as they where really hard. I think they are the reason my teeth are buggered now, as I used to get everyone else.
@simonablokeinthewoods
3 жыл бұрын
Hahaha - MOD issue ninja stars!
im bingeing all of your sick vids brother and I think this has got to be up there, maybe my favorite. reminds me of the coastal forts up in new england, where i grew up, particularly battery steele off the coast of maine near portland in the casco bay
Absolute Great Entertainment! And respect for the Open water canoeing!
an ancient megalithic starfort (earlier civilization) curiously ommited from our 'extensive' education...Creator bless friend, thanks for taking us along, very enjoyable...yah bless...doug
Rat stew coming live for Simon Woods via The Hood Fort. Special guesstimate Kent Survival ( Andy ), rats, & PCF goodies. Excellent videography matey! Well done.
Awesome video, great to have you back Simon.
As promised, great video, thank you. Nice drone footage, great location, surprised you didn’t try to hammock in there!
@simonablokeinthewoods
3 жыл бұрын
Thanks Andy! I did consider it, but wasn’t sure there’d be adequate hanging points until I got there 👍
Good old Biscuits AB Brown or should I say Biscuits Anul Blocking Brown, well that's what they were commonly known as when I served. Great to see you right on my doorstep
Fabulous adventure, thanks so much Simon, and spectacular cinematography, can't wit for part 2!
@simonablokeinthewoods
3 жыл бұрын
Thanks Lois!
It's making me jealous again.
Great video guys. Thank you can’t wait for the next one. 👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍
Very cool! My two favorite Englishmen!
I can’t believe you were right outside where Live! 😢 Great Video! ❤️
Great video showcasing some English history. Thank you Simon
You and Andy just made the case for bringing a good sandwich for lunch.
Try thickened cream and a bit of dijon mustard for your mushroom sauce, and just reduce down. No flour need and so tasty. don't forget the salt and pepper. Cool fort, good to sea a bit of history.
Tonights late night viewing and thanks as always as i know i will enjoy the ride
Very similar to the big fortification at Hurst castle where I've spent many a sunny afternoon lazily watching the yachts go by.
What an interesting Fort. Really looking forward to the next part. 👍🔥🍻
That place is amazing. Well done and thanks.
It’s been a while since the last video but this was awesome and really worth the wait!! Can’t wait for part two!!! Top job and good to see you both together again.
I'm surprised someone hasn't turned that into a hotel. Lol
Great to see you two back out on the water!
Love this vid 💜💜
I was Waiting for your video. Both of you are very lucky having a great adventure partner
Always Cool When You and Andy Do a Collab , !!
High level adventure. Love old forts.
Lovely place
Good to see you both out and about again. Good times 👍👍👍
Brilliant. Looks like great fun. Looking forward to the next part. I'll watch Andys' vid now 😀
Another great video! Cheers for sharing and the history lesson!
Another great adventure. Cheers to both of you.
Great place to spend a night! Very interesting!🔥👍
I so look forward to your videos Thank you.
Great seeing you two on the water again
Great to see you out and about with Andy always love seeing you two out and about
Can’t wait for part 2
Great trip! Great camping in a fort😊
Love your travels together... 👍👍
Just a feel good vid!..love seeing you two blokes together camping!..made my day 🤘🏻
you two are amazing together!
Thanks for the Great trip Guys ! TAKE CARE..
Brilliant 👍
It’s what it’s all about! Well done chaps.
Very cool spot! Thank you Simon for sharing this with us
Nice one lads, tidal paddling is an artform and you timed it perfectly it would seem. Interesting place to camp, and nice looking grub too.
@simonablokeinthewoods
3 жыл бұрын
Thanks mate - day two was a bit more challenging! 😅