River Medway Canoe Trip - Part 2. Tidal Island Wild Camp. U-Boat Wrecks. Burntwick Island.

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 rise to a stunning sun rise and the start to another adventure filled day. Packing away quickly in order to catch the ebbing tide, we leave the fortress of Darnet behind and head off in search of some more history.
Passing old crumbling jetties and the watchful eyes of seals relaxing on the foreshore, we pick our way towards some unexpected relics from the past. The rusting hulks of three German u- boats sit in the mud to the north of the River Medway. UB122, UB76 and UB93 were being towed up the river after World War One, having been sold for scrap, unfortunately, the tether broke and the subs drifted up onto the mud banks, where they remain to this day. We were able to get closed enough to UB122 to film some clips, but not to the others sadly, as the tide was too low.
After a short rest break, we headed across the choppy, wide expanse of the estuary to our camp spot for the night - the history rich island of Burntwick. Hide out to smugglers, home to shepherds, a holding station to quarantine disease infected ships, final resting place of poor old Sidney Bernard - a Royal Navy surgeon who died of yellow fever after treating the sick on board one of those ships, a victorian rubbish tip, site of a defensive boom battery and World War Two submarine net station and now a haven for wildlife.
A good filling dinner, a couple of well earned beers and a comfortable nights sleep set us up for our final paddle back to the Jetty at Queenborough via the chilling ‘Deadman’s Island’
Thank you Andy for a great weekend of adventure, laughs and memories, despite the mud and thank you to the Nation of Darnet for the information and use of the plans and map of Burntwick (and the use of the Bishop's basket!)
Please head over to Kent Survival to watch Andy’s video and his take on the trip.
*When we arrived, we discovered there were nesting birds on the island, and although we took precautions to make sure we didn’t disturb them, I would strongly urge anyone wanting to visit any of the tidal Medway islands to do so later in the summer, after the nesting season*
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...
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Simon, a bloke in the woods
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Music:
Cattails - Thatched Villagers By Kevin McLeod
Sugar Pines By Wes Hutchinson

[@erikblevins347]

Driving a truck for months on end, these videos are a moment's peace desperately needed.

[@ushillbillies]

Thank you for this adventure Simon, most of us wood never know of or see these sights or places otherwise ..

[@nicolab2075]

He's more than a youtuber, isn't he.

[@simonablokeinthewoods]

Thank you!

[@annenewton5403]

Loved both of these videos,I thought of my 3rd Great Grandfather who was on a prison hulk there.He was living in Suffolk,sent there,waiting transportation to Tasmania for stealing Peas and wheat..

[@jellybean3731]

😄 that old rusty twig stove you used was a great find, someone had clearly thought hard about designing it 🫕 Very interesting place, thanks.

[@ufoman4468]

Thanks Simon and Andy. Really enjoyed tagging along with you from my kitchen. Those steaks man, They were awesome. You greedy gits.

[@derekmcmanus8615]

Fascinating as always, I really enjoy the team up videos with Andy!

[@animememes2297]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/m5-2hXmtmZ6HrqM

[@Tom_Bee_]

Me too, Derek, me too.

[@yakinkate7946]

"paddle with him" that's a true friend my Brother!

[@daved3494]

Brilliant video, as usual. I always learn something about the UK when I watch your vids. Thank you.

[@roderickwho1983]

In the summer of '76 I was a small collier bringing coal to the Kings North power station. The summer of ladybirds ! Thanks Simon.

[@arneservatius1982]

So glad to see you know what a real tent. Your cocoon tent leaves no room to grab your gun when the bear is dragging you off to eat. Michigan

[@JasonMcCann841]

Piece of history!

[@VileVeil]

I'm dying to know what Simons joke was that had schoolchildren in tears. Please tell us Simon!

[@todaysworldjw]

Me too!

[@CM-tj1fg]

Tell us the joke Simon!

[@gavinwillan9342]

#tellusthejoke

[@CM-tj1fg]

joke...joke.... joke..... now!

[@MikeFarnhamGalaxysEdgeGroup]

It starts out ..."two guys go on a canoe trip...."

[@MichaelAndersen_DK]

I really like the historical parts and looking at the map. I'll never get to see those places in real life, but I throughly enjoy watching them through the lenses of your cameras. Thank you.

[@AfricanSouthernCross]

Best combo of to friends on KZbin.....great upload

[@jamesellsworth9673]

"Squelch...squelch...um. You fellows go to all lengths to bring adventure to us. YOU WIN the video prize for this: the nature scenes; and, especially the juxtaposition of the dockside metal work with the fire and hotpot shot from a very low angle!

[@simonablokeinthewoods]

Thank you!! 😁

[@garrygreen3210]

Outstanding mate. Love the tarp camp and the fort in part 1 was awesome! Fascinating area with loads of history. Excellent all round over the two installments.

[@theislander9034]

One of the most positive comment sections I've seen ,always see,on KZbin.like many here,I admire and love your work Simon . Thank you

[@mbrider56]

Superb Simon, great to see you two on the canoes, and the history was so interesting as well, great to see the U boats. Brilliant 🛶👌🏻

[@Thecrispykid]

Simons skills are unprecedented

[@leeeverett8109]

two good buddies riding off into the sunset! They really don't have stories like this anymore. Thanks camping buddy.

[@danozeman26]

That looked like an awesome trip. U boats and all!

[@firenev]

Another fantastic video journey .. Love the timelapse

[@Tom_Bee_]

Oh splendid. This is just exactly what the doctor would have ordered, if I had been to a doctor. The timing on this release simply couldn't have been better.

[@paddycarr9537]

Well done Simon and Andy, great Adventure and watch.

[@mary-ruthflores4107]

This is fun, I’ve seen Andy’s now I get to see yours. Love to see two views!

[@trentwalters]

Love watching you and Andy

[@giveitaswingoutdoorswithsm2901]

Ambitious to say the least taking out on a large body of tidal water in a Canoe!! Great film 👍

[@dianejacklin4338]

Thank you so much for another interesting adventure. Nice way to spend a Wednesday evening

[@garywood702]

Beans and sausages for a "ripping" good time! Quite the quagmire between you and the U-boat Simon!

[@anndebaldo7381]

You should be Simon, a bloke on the water! Quite a strong paddler! And yes - would love to hear your joke. You two buddies are a real trip - so nice to see you together. ATB!

[@oshiforb6052]

Well, this video is the only one I’ve watched of yours that gave me the feeling of being cold and miserable, it was so bleak and the wind through the microphone made it seem even worse, I felt that I should put a coat on while I watched it, I couldn’t wait for you to light the fire. I love your video’s, while in the woods it’s a totally different environment which makes you feel warm and cosy, that’s why I never camp near the coast I always find some woodland camping.I live on the coast you see so we seem to get those blustery winds which can be cold even in the height of summer. This comment isn’t meant to be negative, to me it just show’s the impact of your filming skills because the videos draw us in to them as if we are there with you. I enjoyed the video thanks very much.👏👏👍👍👍

[@simonablokeinthewoods]

Thank you! I’m really glad that the exposure of that place came across in the video - it was chilly!

[@Kenbur]

Thank you, Sir Simon - so glad you invited us to come along. Another part of England I get to see through the magic of your cameras.

[@PAULPRITCHETT1]

Another great adventure thanks Simon a great wavy to spend a night at home

[@ajalvin2012]

Living the dream. Love watching your adventures 👍

[@bikeroffthebeatentrack]

Fantastic videos. Thanks for sharing a great trip. Everytime Andy & you go on a joint adventure, it’s like BOGOF 😂

[@alexday5892]

Come on ! What was the joke ? Superb couple of videos. As always, the editing is top notch. That pasta n sausage meal is perfect for carbo loading which is exactly what you need after all that paddling. Lovely to see you n Andy getting another joint mission completed. I love that fort ! Such a shame the lower level is flooded. Greetings from Sydney from an expat. Cheers. Save me an Adnams 😉

[@gooddeedssailing]

Great video, we've been thinking of visiting Darnett Island ourselves. Great shot of our boat, Good Deeds, as you paddled back into the Swale on your return to Queenborough 😊❤

[@loupiscanis9449]

Thank you , Simon . 🐺 Loupis Canis .

[@wayfarerchris.4116]

Wow! Another brilliant video Simon, thanks for sharing it with us 🙂👍.

[@marktownsend9333]

Amazing so near the capital and complete isolation just brilliant 👍👍

[@bradlafferty]

Fabulous opening sequence! And the music - wonderful!

[@paulclarkson5494]

Lovely to see you out and about excellent video with great commentary. Paul and jilly

[@Seamus3051]

Thanks for sharing another brilliant adventure with us. Stay well & safe .. Cheers.

[@steveqhanson6835]

Always enjoy your adventures Simon. Thanks for posting.

[@rayeaglenz]

Thank you for this adventure Simon 👍😊😊

[@benhikescamps]

Simon, one of your best and most enjoyable adventures yet. Unique moments beautifully captured, some history and also very inspiring. Many thanks for taking the time to make and share. ATB - Ben aka Londoner Outdoors 👍

[@Admiral_Pumpout]

Pointing on a map with a finger?! I'd have been crucified for doing that when I was in the mob! Blade of grass or the tip of a knife next time please! :-) Looks like a Good trip, cheers Simon, I always enjoy your vids.

[@simonablokeinthewoods]

Haha, I’ll consider myself reprimanded! 😁👍

[@markscrivener9312]

Fantastic video diary of your adventure, superbly edited and produced. Really enjoyable watch 👍🏼

[@SocketsNSpanners]

Best video yet, excellent we both watched it. Better than tv!

[@simonablokeinthewoods]

Thank you!

[@cherylwevill9980]

I'd just got home from working lates, and I saw you'd dropped your 2nd part video of your trip on the Medway and couldn't wait to watch it. And you didn't disappoint! I loved the beautiful shots of the river with the sunlight glinting off the water, and the isolation of the islands, the cries of the birds, the sound of the water hitting the boat. Magical. So relaxing. Excellent video Simon.

[@syncrosimon]

We have so much history here, you must do a Scottish loch canoe trip, River Spey, River Seven, River Wye. So much to do🇬🇧🇬🇧👍👍 Love it as always.

[@eddiekeylon323]

What a truly interesting adventure. Thanks to both you and Andy. I've never gotten to see any of that before. This kind of content is what keeps me tuned in to your channel. Thanks for all your efforts in bringing this type of video to us!!!

[@northwestolympics1683]

Who else watched Andy's video? Took some tips for next camp trip.

[@janvaartjes]

The same trip, but different sceneries.

[@viperbenny]

Thx that was GREAT! Very cool to sleep in a fort how lucky you are.

[@leoniemusgrave9322]

Hello from Western Australia. Doesn’t food always taste better when out camping. We’re off out intoThe Great Victoria Desert next weekend for 2 weeks. Two weeks and no people. Bliss. Thankyou Simon and Andy, great trip and video as usual. Love the places and the history lessons. Safe travels. 🇦🇺🇦🇺🇦🇺🇦🇺🇦🇺🇦🇺

[@realtalkz3930]

Whata a nice relaxing adventure to watch

[@jimmethven8074]

Great looking beach camp, lots of fun. It reminds me of Kayak camping on a similar jetty in Everett Washington when I was a boy. Just as well that you didn't make it to the island, sounds like a gruesome place.

[@neillambton4065]

A really good vid of my old sailing ground. When i lived in Kent, i sailed the Mudway (deliberate spelling) on a range of yachts, my own being a 22 foot Pandora International, and really miss it, Sailing from Upnor just off the Old Dockyard where our boats were moored. Some really interesting historical information, some of which i never knew, especially the old U boat wrecks. Thanks for posting. Now my cruising is done on motor cruisers on the Broads, so i`l be watching your vids on canoeing there, especially as my wife and i have just bought a cheap inflatable kayak, to see the non navigable upper stretches of the Bure, Waveney, and Ant, some of which i think you`ve canoe`d, so i`l be looking for your vids on them. Paddles up Simon.

[@rogerbartley3684]

This is the 4th time I've watched these two episodes, they're some of my favorites with you two. I always enjoy your vids anyway but you guys together makes it better 🙂🙂

[@AndysEastCoastAdventures]

East coast mud!, Spend half my time with some on me somewhere, it's a right bugger to get off as well.

[@mrdhughes4635]

Really been looking forward to this...big cup of coffee and an even bigger bar of chocolate at the ready. I could appreciate the grain on that there canoe for hours. I keep saying "oh careful" every time it runs up a shale beach. Thank you gentlemen, you always find the hidden adventure between the trees and the waves and point us all in the right direction. Right then, here we go, I think we are about to wake up for breakfast ....

[@simonablokeinthewoods]

Thank you! 😁

[@hamishbamber9686]

Brilliant video once again.

[@ianblackman2144]

Thank you guys for a fantastic video 👍

[@MrHemlock51]

Great trip. And your car was still where you left it after being parked on Sheppey for 3 days!

[@arneservatius1982]

Very smart to take precautions and be as stealth as you can. Authorities or criminal you don’t want them seeing you. Michigan 😎🇺🇸🇨🇦

[@JoshuaJoshua0]

It would be fun to see you and Atomic Shrimp go mudlarking :)

[@juliegogo2941]

You appear to be in your element. Interesting history.... Against the wind too it looks like...canoes don't move against anything very well. Nice shots at the end...... Thanks

[@michaelvandromme]

Lovely video! Thanks for sharing Simon.

[@mediocrefunkybeat]

So brave going so close to Chatham.

[@debsmostexcellentadventure5353]

Ive been watching you a long time,so thankyou for your videos,i love them .debs.

[@steveroberts1422]

Excellent part 2👍

[@thcdreams654]

Always enjoy the videos bro. Beautiful canoe.

[@canoecycle7005]

Loved the beginning of this video excellent trip or adventure .Great setup in the evening 👌

[@johnabramides8035]

Great vid my old fishing water ,john ,Sheppey.......

[@lordkestlerful]

Really enjoyed that. Thank you

[@hutchinsonsadventures4678]

loved it mate. so well put together... Cheers

[@lesleywhibley]

My dad used to swim across from the strand to the islands in the medway sometime with my sister on his back.

[@martymartin2894]

Watching this on my telly such a clear picture u must have a good camera. This wifi technology is great beats any of the rubbish on normal tv.

[@davidmanen5495]

Fantastic video!! Thank you.

[@AirstripBum]

Nice trip buddy! Thanks for the ride along.

[@GAR85120514]

Very interesting and different sights. Thanks

[@paulaboyland2946]

Hi Simon, enjoyed watching your video, very much 😊 Diolch (thankyou) in Welsh 💝🏴󠁧󠁢󠁷󠁬󠁳󠁿 xxxx

[@simonablokeinthewoods]

Thank you Paula!

[@jeanetteschulthe1andOnly]

Hello, good to see you both!

[@counterdebate]

Shine On You Crazy Diamonds😎

[@simonablokeinthewoods]

😁👍

[@tazandtimswildadventures369]

Awesome two parter Simon

[@alltheteam69]

That didn’t disappoint. Great sunrise, desolate, scary, mysterious seascape. Been looking out at this most of my life, no one ever told me the history..... but since reading about it love it even more - Thank you Simon.

[@troutbumhobo]

"put the whole sausage in" - oooh 'MATRON'

[@davidfirth6535]

Brilliant! thank you.

[@Amy-uv5rb]

Brilliant video Simon :)

[@TheGardener54uk]

hi ive been waiting for the second part lol love watching your videos Simon

[@RickTOutdoorAdventure1969]

Cheers Simon, that looked a great little adventure. That boat of yours is beautiful. Nothing better than paddling of using kit that you've made yourself. Definitely a sense of satisfaction. Some gear maintenance and cleaning to be done after that trip with all the claggy mud . Looked really great though , thanks for sharing . Atb Rick n Billydog

[@abefrohman1759]

Thank you for sharing that Simon. ATB

[@strawman3059]

Stunning content guys 👏

[@rodneyhardee2527]

Looks so relaxing !

[@paulroossien5322]

Great adventure simon really enjoyed that trip being born at your starting point queenborough cheers atb

[@esthermae8710]

Love your music selections Simon. Great vid as always.

[@karmaclanton5544]

Looks like an interesting trip!!!

[@HelenNetallica]

Why was I sad when it ended.😭..well done Simon loved every minute ❤️🤘🏻

[@johnramsell1109]

Brilliant video lads

[@AdamSmith-pk9xf]

Get in, part 2. Another great video. Thanks Simon