Canoe day trip - Saltford to Bath, Somerset

A short canoe day trip from Saltford to the outskirts of Bath, Somerset on the river Avon. This easy one day paddle is west of the city of Bath. Putting in at Saltford, it’s possible to head either north westwards, towards Bristol or south eastwards, upstream towards Bath, I chose the latter. This section of the river has at least 3 weirs in close proximity, so it’s a portage heavy little stretch of river. However the one I portaged here is not a big deal.
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Music: epidemicsound.com
Voiceover recording by Davidolivermusic.com
Cams: Canon EOSR with various lenses & GoPro Hero 8 & DJI Mavic Air drone.
Edited in FCPX.

[@LatitudesWildernessFilms]

Another beautiful, relaxing, ambient short film Andy. Your work is really inspiring; the variety of shots, which I've noticed that you rarely hold the same shot for more than 5 seconds in the final edit, that's a wonderful touch! I love the quick use of real time to slow motion, and the focus pulls, so beautifully done. The music choices and your words/voice of narration are both relaxing and outstanding. Your work really does stand out on KZbin as higher quality than the vast majority. If you can ever make it to Ontario to paddle, let me know, I'd be happy to show you around! Well done Andy!

[@MrAndyballard]

Wow, that's a great comment to get this morning, thanks. Glad to see the focus pulls are being noticed, the Canon EOSR has amazing touch screen focus, together with a decent prime lens it's a great combo, I can't recommend this camera highly enough. Although at times, water and a moderately expensive bit of kit is not a great combo! Now a visit to Ontario would be outstanding, the stuff of dreams! One day. Thanks for the offer.

[@mandycampbell329]

Nice one Andy beautifully filmed ! You made me laugh out loud! Nice to see you enjoying yourself 😁

[@MrAndyballard]

Tee hee, what bit made ya laugh out loud then? Burly men in lycra? possibly... by the end of the morning, I'd had a right skinful of those rowers hammering along yelling at people to get out of their way. Glad I gave you a chuckle.

[@Alpacadave66]

Cracking quality. Love it AB

[@MrAndyballard]

DO in the house! 🙏chuurs mucker.

[@stevereed9391]

Thanks Andy. I'm doing the Congresbury to the coast this week, it's put me right in the mood, brilliant. Cheers steve

[@MrAndyballard]

Ah nice one Steve, have ya done it yet? let me know how you get on. I've been a couple of miles down the Yeo this spring, but haven't gone right to the end for a long time (well since I made the film actually).

[@stevereed9391]

@@MrAndyballard will do, not sure of the weather this week, as long as its not pouring 😕, should be fine, with little weed I hope Regards steve Stay safe.

[@stevereed9391]

@@MrAndyballard well, westerly wind was so strong, it wasn't pleasant. So only done a few miles, turned round and paddled to the weir, lovely scenery though, aim for a less windy day next time. No weed though 🙂 Regards Steve

[@PaddlingTramp]

Beautiful and poetic video. I was really looking forward to your next paddling trip! Thanks for sharing! David PT

[@MrAndyballard]

Thanks David, poetic? crikey... I try. Let's hope the weather breaks and we return to blue skies and sun soon.

[@My24hradventure]

I do enjoy your paddling vids. And this was another treat 👍

[@MrAndyballard]

Much appreciated, it seems April and early May were our summer, this rain will top up the river levels but I hope it doesn't go on too long.

[@My24hradventure]

@@MrAndyballard Yes indeed. I went out for a river paddle yesterday but I totally miscalculated the tide. Ended up pretty much paddling on the spot. Can you recommend any *very simple* explanation guides on tidal drifts. Any websites or apps? I'm finding all the jargon a bit confusing. Atb Jonathan 👍

[@MrAndyballard]

@@My24hradventure Blimey, I don’t know much about tidal paddling at all Jonathan, I’m happy to admit that. Although I live close to the Bristol Channel and I’d like to paddle a high tide on a coastal creek fairly close to me but it needs to be at slack water and you have to time it just right. There’s a lot that could go wrong with venturing into tidal waters - esp on the bristol channel with 14 metre tides!

[@My24hradventure]

@@MrAndyballard Ah ok thanks. I just want a lazy day out on the water to daydream and watch the world go by, and a nice cuppa' tea. Like in your videos 😊

[@MarkN67]

Really enjoyed that. Thanks for taking the time to put it together and share your adventure.

[@MrAndyballard]

Good to hear, it does take some time, but it'll be a great record of trips when I'm old & cranky and can no longer paddle!

[@tomstockham7400]

Well done Andy, so pleased that you out and about producing top notch videos. I’m so glad that you don’t drone on and on about food and pointless drivel. You videos are always something that I truly enjoy and find the narration so relaxing. I find your shots and editing so inspiring. I made a video some time ago, it was so poor that I shall attempt to try again and create something that people may actually want to watch. Thanks again for the for being inspiring.

[@MrAndyballard]

That's good to hear Tom, I appreciate it. It does take a shed load of time to set up the shots and it does mean that the paddling sometimes takes a back seat to thinking about what shot to grab next. Hopefully it does show in the final edit.

[@bespokefabricationsbarge7240]

Fantastic video really enjoyable to watch keep making them Sets the bar for uk canoe wild camping

[@MrAndyballard]

Excellent to hear, thank you, I will endeavour to keep making em.

[@georgebradford87]

Another stunning film Andy! You can see a ton of craft work goes into getting all those different shots - thanks so much for sharing it with us. Can't wait to get out there myself. Looking forward to your Saltford to Bristol video now - no pressure! Though, like you, the stretch from Bradford on Avon to Warleigh Weir is my favourite.

[@MrAndyballard]

Nice one George, thanks. It does indeed. I found the Saltford stretch a lot more heavily used than the warleigh run, I still prefer that stretch down through the Avon Valley, it's a special place alright and you can have it to yourself most of the time too.

[@billybud8178]

Nice one man, smooth filming technique you have there 👌

[@tonypress9473]

Beautiful video....well done

[@MrAndyballard]

Good on ya Tony 👍

[@costas_karpi]

Yes! I've been looking forward to this video, well, I look forward to all your videos. Great production as always Andy, love the way you edit, film and produce these. You are my bench mark in how I'd like to make videos. All the best. (by the way I do have a video nearly finished :)

[@MrAndyballard]

Ah the Wye man? cheers, good to hear. There's so much of the Avon to paddle here near Bristol/Bath, check it out if you're in the south west.

[@costas_karpi]

@@MrAndyballard ha, well I did a video yes, thanks for remembering :) all the best Andy

[@9murlon]

Love it - thanks for sharing. Saltford is where I learned to paddle and it's my local patch - you really capture the beauty of the river and the paddling experience. Do return and paddle downstream - perhaps down to Pump House Lane. Your films are inspiring :-)

[@MrAndyballard]

Murralon from IG? the paddler that gets EVERYWHERE? You put my travels to shame, the places you paddle, I need to check out the canal up at Sharpness soon, I've been meaning to have a squizz at that stretch. Is the downstream section from Saltford quieter do you think? The reason I paddled upstream is that there was just the one weir to port rather than the two downstream. Are they easy enough to port? the second one after Saltford looked tricky to me. Your thoughts appreciated if this is your local patch. Pump house lane.. I'm on it, I'll check it out.

[@9murlon]

@@MrAndyballard Yes :-) I was with a new paddler recently who said he was inspired to canoe by your films :-) Downstream from Saltford you can shoot the Jolly Sailor weir to river right of the water shoot (obv if you're happy to do so) or possibly portage to the left of it. then turn back at Swineford lock for a short and easy paddle. Otherwise portage this & Keynsham locks & shoot Hanham weir. This is longer and needs a shuttle - if you'd like company, I'd be thrilled. Sharpness canal is nice. Saul Junction is a good place - or Purton (busy for parking), Purton boat graveyard is atmospheric. From Saul Junction, you can portage onto River Frome if you're feeling adventurous.

[@MrAndyballard]

@@9murlon Fantastic, thanks for that info. The Jolly Sailor weir sounds like fun then. My mate has just bought a 18' Nova Craft Prospector which he's keen to try out, hopefully we'll be out n about at Saltford again soon. But yes, I'll certainly give ya a shout at some point. Sharpness sounds interesting - used to visit there as a kid when we lived in Thornbury, it must be over 40 years since I've been there. I know the boat graveyard at Purton. I feel another film coming on! Any spots for a crafty overnighter at Sharpness/Saul Junction, that would make it a longer trip.

[@kevintwine8443]

This is where I first ever had a kayak trip it's like your virginity you never forget 😂 brilliant video

[@MrAndyballard]

It's a nice stretch, although I have to say I prefer the Avon Valley between Bradford on Avon and Warleigh Weir - it's beautiful. This stretch is heavily used by rowing clubs.

[@kevintwine8443]

@@MrAndyballard agreed can't beat it 🙂

[@alantaylor688]

If you are prepared to get damp feet it's an easy climb over that wier. There is a stepped channel on the wier next to the lock. Easier than climbing out at the lock but unless levels are low you will get wet feet. The rowers are a bit snooty there!

[@MrAndyballard]

Thanks for that Alan, damp feet no problem, just hope the temp of the water increases a tad, it was very cold the other week. Yeah, I got yelled at by some rowers (not keeping far enough right apparently eek). That's why I prefer the quieter Avon Valley loop - less rowers!!

[@troyphipps59]

Would love to see more canoeing trips

[@MrAndyballard]

Hopefully I'll be uploading a new canoeing film very soon!

[@lauriebloggs8391]

You make every trip a thing of beauty...I trust no more "access discussions"?

[@MrAndyballard]

Cheers Laurie, well... I haven't paddled the BoA loop for a while so no more run ins with the ‘keeper of the weir’.

[@jamie123b]

I live in Saltford and have just ordered an inflatable kayak. Look forward to going kayaking here when it arrives! Also, what time in the morning did you go?

[@MrAndyballard]

Nice one! good stretches to paddle here both upstream & downstream. I've yet to paddle towards to Bristol, but it looks interesting. I'm an early bird, I was on the river by about 8:00am.

[@jackledouxchoosealifenotak164]

Pointless not long enough mate longer videos

[@MrAndyballard]

Pointless? ok. That's a matter of opinion I guess, but in my view the majority of canoe trip vids on YT are WAY too long and are padded out with a lot of unnecessary shots of people droning on about what they're having to eat.

[@jackledouxchoosealifenotak164]

@@MrAndyballard mate I give you good feedback before I’m just saying by the time u get your audience gripped the videos over and plus if u want to go far on KZbin you want between 8-20 mins long for when u get the ad revenue

[@penelopehedley1514]

Brilliant video andy, thanks for sharing. I always enjoy watching them, your very talented 👌🙋🏻‍♀️

[@LatitudesWildernessFilms]

@@MrAndyballard For day trips, this length is absolutely perfect. This length makes us excited and we anticipate the next video you put out. If you were making week long trips, sure some videos would be longer. But I'm very much in agreement with you Andy; the vast majority of tripping videos all look identical and blend together. What you are doing stands out from the crowd, and I applaud you for that!

[@MrAndyballard]

@@penelopehedley1514 You found it! nice one, thank you Penny.