River Wye canoe trip, wild camping, 4 day paddle from Glasbury to Hereford

Canoe trip on the River Wye from Glasbury in Wales to Hereford in England. 4 day paddle covering approx 30 miles on one of the finest stretches of the middle Wye, passing through Hay-on-Wye, Whitney, Bredwardine, Monnington Falls and ending at Hereford. Eschewing the established campsites, we instead chose to have a few nights on gravel beaches and grassy patches right next to the river. Provided you treat the countryside with respect and leave no trace of your stay, it’s entirely feasible to camp next to the river in peaceful secluded spots, which was an inherent part of the whole trip for us. After all, it’s your world too !
Music: Lullaby For Democracy by Doctor Turtle
is licensed under a Attribution-NonCommercial License.
doctorturtle.b...

[@mikeevans4122]

You have inspired me. I have a bid in for my first open canoe and growing up in Ross on Wye (now live near Bournemouth), I am already planning the Glasbury to Hereford run, cheers. Great video by the way

[@MrAndyballard]

If I've inspired you , then I more than happy! I've only been canoeing for a few years now and I love it, I wish I'd got a boat years ago. It's the most perfectly relaxing thing to do. The Glasbury to Hereford run is amazing - a good introduction to gently moving water. There's also a solo run I filmed on the same stretch on this channel if you're interested. In 2018 I think.

[@desmondbroad1305]

Brilliant films you've made here ime very impressed the narration was excellent...i found you as you popped up after watching a ray Goodwin canoe trip ...thankyou so much very very inspiring films 😎😎😎

[@MrAndyballard]

Thanks Desmond, ah! I'm in good company then with the likes of Ray Goodwin. I've just posted a new update of this trip on this channel (although we had to leave from Hay instead of Glasbury as there are access issues there)

[@wonkylommiter6364]

Beautiful film, many thanks!

[@MrAndyballard]

Crackin name wonky! Glad ya enjoyed it.

[@MrAndyballard]

Ha... I've just cracked your name, (jeez it took me a while (1KM - very good)

[@gbwildlifeuk8269]

Campsites - "The coughing and muttering in the morning" 🤣🤣. Dont forget the obligatory early morning car door slamming, barking dogs and shouting kids! 👍 good vid.

[@chrisjames7803]

Thank you, such a beautifully shot simple video, Im local to here and just got into paddle based hobbies, im looking forward to doing this next spring!

[@MrAndyballard]

Nice one Chris, thanks for the positive comment. If you're local to the Wye I'd say Sept would be a lovely month to take a paddle as the levels would be up after all the recent rain. I'd do a lot more trips if I lived closer to the Wye.

[@jameswindels-lyte1032]

I'm going next weekend, so excited. Lovely video!

[@MrAndyballard]

Great, I need to get back over to the Wye this spring/summer too, glad you enjoyed the vid.

[@mandycampbell329]

YES!🤗👏👏👏 Never get tried of watching This! Great voice

[@MrAndyballard]

The dunking gives me a laugh, so that's good. Dave did a great job with the voiceover

[@leetheredlion]

Literally just got back today from a 3 day trip Glassbury to Bredwardine . Lovely stretch of water, saw almost nobody. Did Ross on Wye to Monmouth last year, the water was very busy. Think I prefer the top end, much more peaceful.

[@MrAndyballard]

Nice! Us too... just did Hay to Hereford. Out of interest, did you have any issues with access at Glasbury? Theres an unpleasant lawyer whos bought a stretch of fishing rights on the wye near Glasbury and he's making it hard for paddlers to get onto/past his stretch.

[@leetheredlion]

@@MrAndyballard yeah we did as it goes. We tried to launch by the bridge but a little guy got all arsey and said no launching there unless we are part of the club and pay. We just crossed the bridge and launched from the other side, easy, by the public toilets by a campsite. We found out later it’s because they are doing a nature survey there apparently and don’t want disturbance.

[@olrenison]

Great video. Very inspiring and so peaceful 👏

[@MrAndyballard]

Thanks, I'm well overdue another visit to the Wye Valley, it's a peaceful spot alright.

[@pipins3616]

Done that very trip a few times, just fab

[@MrAndyballard]

Yeah, it's a wonderful trip Mark, I'd like to get back over to Wales and do that very same paddle again. Maybe spring 2021... ?

[@pipins3616]

Fingers crossed for next year, we hired from Black Mountain canoes, wild camping the first time then stopped at the Boat in at Whitney on Wye and a nice place further down river in Preston on Wye, got a canoeist brunch at the Yew Tree inn there with a few beers, happy days

[@exillionXLR]

Loved the video Andy. Me and a few pals do a stretch every year and wildcamp. Did Glasbury to Redbrook last year which was killer but loads of fun. Cannot wait to get back out this year. Glad you enjoyed it!

[@MrAndyballard]

Good on ya ! it's good that people still ‘wildcamp’ as it's called now (to me it's just camping) it shouldn't be frowned on, it's your world too ! I'll look up Redbrook.

[@StylophoneZones]

gawd we've had some good times down the wye

[@unit0033]

Just tried a paddle from Glasbury from the campsite there. Wasnt allowed to launch from their site, had to go from the public carpark next to bridge. Tried to paddle up river but a landowner came out and told us the river was private! Not really impressed by the Glasbury end of this route.

[@MrAndyballard]

Yes, I'd heard that entry to the river at Glasbury was getting a bit difficult. It makes my blood boil that some a**hole can buy the fishing rights to a particular stretch of river then think that he owns the water - he doesn't. How can anyone ‘own’ the water that flows through a river? think about it, it's absurd (and wrong). If you launch from the car park at river right past the bridge in Glasbury, you should be ok from what's I've heard. I did a trip recently and went from Hay as I'd heard about the furore at Glasbury.

[@danielmallett6438]

Nice video. We paddled a similar route back in 2012 when we were living in London for the year working at the Olympics. We are Canadian and paddle alot back at home. There is a beauty to being on the water and exploring a new country that way. Even living in London I rowed and kayaked on the Thames and exploring via the water offers a complete different and arguably nicer perspective that our usual way we experience a city.

[@MrAndyballard]

Thanks for watching & commenting Daniel. I watch a lot of Canadian canoe KZbinrs, what a dream it would be to paddle some of those rivers in Ontario some day. Yes, the perspective from a river is a completely different way of viewing the world. I've posted a newer trip on the Wye on my channel if you're interested ‘Hay to Hereford’ shot this last June.

[@m.walden9413]

I live on the Wye River in Maryland. I have a done a great deal of kayaking over the years. I enjoyed your video of the Wye River of Maryland's namesake.

[@MrAndyballard]

Ah nice one! Spring has sprung here in the UK and I'm itching to get back on the Wye for a big trip in the next few months.

[@JamesBTravel]

This is absolutely idyllic. Can't wait to get back out wild camping.

[@MrAndyballard]

Nice one, the rivers's calling me too.

[@richardfletcher1047]

Lovely video with plenty of information and inspiring views. Thank you!

[@MrAndyballard]

Cheers Richard, I'm itching to get back on the Wye, but Wales is still restricted travel-wise. I hope to do this stretch again before summer's out.

[@billybud8178]

A fine trip sir... a fine trip!

[@jameswindels-lyte1032]

What is your take on wild camping? We did and got threatened by a campsite owner even though we left the place spotless....

[@MrAndyballard]

It's a contentious issue for sure James. Why did he threaten you? were you on the river bank? I look at it this way: does a rambler/wild swimmer/paddler/hobo etc etc cause as much damage by having a night on god's earth by the river bank as the massive chicken farms that spew poisonous discharge & waste into the Wye basically killing it in the process? or the water companies that spew raw sewage into our rivers? no of course not. Ownership confers on landowners the right to completely decimate the land (all within the law of course) so that's fine and dandy because it makes profits. But the responsible wild camper is frowned upon for ‘trespassing’ all for laying his head down on the earth. This land is ours too James, don't forget that. Keep an eye on the Police & Crime sentencing bill that wants to criminalise trespass - it's a civil matter at the moment but wild campers could potentially be prosecuted under this new draconian BS.

[@craftywildcamps]

I loved that! Every year I say I will get a canoe? Maybe next year! Cheers, Steve.

[@MrAndyballard]

Good on ya Steve... get one ! it was the best thing that I've done in years, I kept putting it off too, good exercise, great way to see the country, can't beat it !

[@41magfan]

You won't ever regret getting a canoe.

[@miller88ize]

@@41magfan well....did you get a canoe in the end?

[@41magfan]

Miller88ize I've got 2, and a kayak and a jon boat. Love being out on the water.

[@JimmyTheMower]

Great video and fantastic narration. More videos please 👍

[@MrAndyballard]

Thanks for the positive comment... I try and produce one short a month (sometimes more) but I'd rather make a quality one than churn out mediocre vids more often. Check out the ‘samphire finding’ vid if you enjoyed this one.

[@billygoatfilms7531]

Brilliant film ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

[@MrAndyballard]

Appreciate your positive comment, thanks.

[@JakeLDS]

Amazing video, glad you were able to wild camp with no hassle. Just wondering whether you repaired the burnt patch from the fire on the grass?

[@MrAndyballard]

Glad you enjoyed it. Yes, we cut out a turf of grass and replaced it when we left. As I explained to someone else in a comment on here... nature has much more of an impact on this land than we do. This very spot where we camped was under millions of gallons of flood water a few years back, it decimated the flora and ripped through the grass etc, BUT it grows back stronger.

[@richardlycett6862]

Excellent. Doing part of this stretch Monday and Tuesday and Wednesday next week!

[@MrAndyballard]

You won't be disappointed Richard, it's prob the best stretch of the Wye. I've just done another trip this last few weeks, albeit a shorter one and there's a newer film on my channel.

[@richardlycett6862]

Andy Ballard excellent!!!

[@stephenbedworth3404]

Nice film lots of atmosphere, done this trip myself great experience, try doing the Severn or the great glen canoe trail in Scotland with great wild camping on lochness, atb Steve

[@MrAndyballard]

Thanks for recommendations, Severn's pretty nearby will look it up. Scotland's got it right on wild camping & the right to roam. cheers

[@lauriebloggs8391]

I agree with Mandy, watched it several times........take me to the Wye!!

[@MrAndyballard]

Glad you're getting some pleasure from these canoe flicks in the dark times we find ourselves in Laurie. Couldn't agree with your sentiment more... I need to get some ‘essential paddling’ in!

[@lauriebloggs8391]

@@MrAndyballard They're driving me nuts in the current climate!!

[@JasonIrwinTumblehome]

Loved it. Great presentation!

[@MrAndyballard]

Nice one, it's a beautiful river alright, but we don't have the luxury of space and those empty camping spots that you have over there in Canada. You've got to be really sneaky and stealthy to find a ‘wild camp’ spot here in the UK.

[@richardburke583]

Hi Andy, beautiful video, and a gorgeous bit of river. Just thought I'd recommend the Severn from just below Welshpool down to Bewdley. I've paddled the full stretch 3 times now and only ever wild camped. Its mostly calm essay going paddling with one bit of excitement thrown in at Ironbridge. Adventures in your own back yard are special hey. Enjoy

[@MrAndyballard]

Cheers Richard, it is a gorgeous spot. Thanks for the recommendation, I've been looking at the Severn on Google maps a lot... it's not far from me really. And great to hear that you ‘wild camped’ (it's the only and best way really - after all, the world belongs to us all and not just to a few).

[@richardburke583]

Andy Ballard I couldn't agree more on the wild camping front, I usually just pull up, relax and cook. Pitch at dusk and pack the tent down early. Leave no trace. Never once had a problem in the uk thankfully. Here's a PDF from the environment agency that gives distances etc. Useful for planning. www.google.co.jp/url?q=www.ukriversguidebook.co.uk/site-media/extras/severnea.pdf&sa=U&ved=0ahUKEwj68fO_sJbaAhVFw7wKHd12Bk4QFggLMAA&usg=AOvVaw1xCIvNQ-TQZQrJ2Iyess2g

[@MrAndyballard]

Richard, here's my email add: [e-mail] I'd like to ask you about put in spots near Welshpool, and see if you have any pics/videos of the severn trip you did?

[@WyeExplorer]

Hi Andy I thought I would leave a comment here to. Same video found on the other channel I feel. I agree - the wild camp sites are best. A fantastic journey amid Wye waters. Beautifully put! Mark

[@MrAndyballard]

Much appreciated Mark, I'd like to do another trip before summer's out too

[@WyeExplorer]

Hey that would be great. I'd enjoy very much the chance to say hello. Free will of course....

[@robdavies9174]

Fantastic video pal

[@MrAndyballard]

Thanks a lot, I'm gagging to get back on the Wye, but Wales is still in lockdown I gather. Just posted a Somerset canoe trip today on this channel if you're interested.

[@deetee-uk]

Brilliant video...something that I want to do soon, although at 61 I've waited a lot longer. My only concern is getting back to the start...any advice on where to park up and how to get back to the starting point?

[@MrAndyballard]

Thanks for the comment DT. We launched at Glasbury at the put in point, there’s limited parking there though, as I have a small 4wd I parked under the tree on the grass. We went in 2 vehicles via Hereford (our finishing point). Leaving one vehicle at the rowing club, we loaded 2 boats & gear onto my vehicle and drove up to Glasbury (half hr easy). Then when we got to Hereford after paddling, we put all the gear into my mates van and drove back up to Glasbury to be reunited with mine. It’s a bit of a faff I guess. There is a bloke who runs a taxi service esp. for canoeists (roof rack the lot) I’m told, I’ve yet to track him down, maybe Wye Valley Taxis something like that? Yeah, gravel banks are fine (if you have an inflatable mattress)!! a bit lumpy… don’t let all the ‘private’ signs put you off, the world belongs to all of us! that I believe strongly.

[@davidandrews8631]

Both canoe rental firms in glasbury will come and pick you up!

[@41magfan]

Two thumbs up for wearing your life jackets.

[@MrAndyballard]

Well I'm a good swimmer, but the flotation vests sure help to keep you buoyant if/when you take a spill... as I did on that rapid.

[@41magfan]

Done many river trips ( Allegheny river ) in the north east of the USA . Be safe brother

[@Rudecheers]

Great video, nice pace to it.

[@MrAndyballard]

Nice one. Hope to do the same trip in about a week... weather & river levels permitting.

[@nigelwyn]

Lovely video. I've kayaked some of those sections many times. One thing though, mind that you follow local rules and regulations if you do any fishing - penalties can be severe.

[@MrAndyballard]

thanks for comment Nigel, nothing caught, but point taken.

[@scottyneedsa3037]

Great vid, loved it!

[@MrAndyballard]

Good on ya, there's a more recent Wye canoe trip vid on my channel, which I put even more love into!

[@scottyneedsa3037]

Andy Ballard Yes I watched that late last night....excellent little film!

[@scottporter4871]

Lovely video, well presented and very well narrated 😊. My friend and I are just about to do the exact same trip, just curious on how many hours per day you spent paddling and was it a nice gentle paddle or did you have to kick on a bit? Cheers and much ❤️

[@MrAndyballard]

Glad ya enjoyed it. This is a lovely multi day trip. I seem to remember the first day wasn't long as we didn't leave Glasbury till quite late in the morning, then found a place to camp about early eve, maybe 5ish past Hay on Wye (look for a nice little gravel beach on a bend north of hay). Then the 2nd and 3rd day were longer as we had to make up the 30 odd miles. I think we had 3 nights on the river bank so the paddling wasn't mad, pretty relaxed really. No more than 8-9 miles per day. the last day into hereford was long, as that last stretch was straight and pretty boring. Hope this helps, you'll enjoy it.

[@scottporter4871]

@@MrAndyballard Thanks for the heads up. Really look g forward to the trip. Hoping the weather is kind. Thanks again and much ❤️

[@user-wf3yr4jf6m]

Hi Andy After watching your video you have give me the confidence to go canoeing down river thank you very much and Cheers mate will let you no how I got on . Would you have a post code to start and finish point please ?

[@MrAndyballard]

That's good to hear Craig! it's always really nice to get comments that I've inspired people to get out on the river. I'll look up the postcode tmw and let you know. Cheers

[@MrAndyballard]

Glasbury: HR3 5NP Hereford rowing club: HR4 0BE

[@user-wf3yr4jf6m]

@@MrAndyballard thanks Andy

[@waproducts5695]

Top stuff!

[@MrAndyballard]

Cheers, hoping to do this river again in summer.

[@Phillippa]

I hope to do this trip one day!

[@MrAndyballard]

Do it ! you won't be disappointed... don't know why it took me so long to get round to it really, I'll be doing it again for sure, maybe shortly. The ‘middle Wye’ is the slightly less popular trip - lower reaches = more people.

[@s1914]

Super! ❤️

[@MrAndyballard]

Marvellous 👍

[@WhiskeyZulu76]

Hi Andy, Whilst for the majority of the video I enjoyed as I work on the Wye throughout the summer months as a paddling guide, coach & instructor doing both day and multi-day trips plus for my own enjoyment paddling d camping from Glasbury down to Redbrook. Though I find it hard to understand your point of view of wild camping along the river, yes wild camping is all about leaving no trace but clearly you have left a trace that you've been on the embankments due to having open fires. Open fires actually damage the environment of the river, over time between fire pits and mother nature cracks grow in the ground from the fire pit leading to erosion and by having a video of you doing this up on such a huge video sharing site you also let others think that this is perfectly fine to do so which it isn't. I'd recommend that if in future you'd like a fire for your wild camping then to buy or build your own fire pit that is raised from the ground thus not damaging the grass/ground that then leads to as said erosion. Personally I prefer to use the many campsites along the River Wye for most of them have fire pits within the camp sites plus you're supporting local businesses that rely on the river. But now and then I do wild camp using tarp/hammock with a portable bbq or usual gas stove. For anyone else interested in camping and canoeing/kayaking on the Wye there's a full guide book to paddling and camping on the Wye by Mark Rainsley, can find in many canoe & kayak shops. Apart from the fire, great footage.

[@MrAndyballard]

Thanks for your very comprehensive comment WZ76. Taking on board your view on fires, yes, perhaps in future a small portable barbe may be better to contain the fire - thus leaving no trace at all. Having said that, I do fail to grasp the logic about fires damaging the environment of the river. And millions of gallons of flood waters gushing through the Wye valley back in February would have what effect on the same environment exactly? Compared to a small piffling fire I’d say the flood water would have a much greater damaging effect on the banks. It’s a matter of perspective for sure. Nature will always be in charge, she’ll be here after we’re long gone. You must see a lot of the general public and how they behave being a guide on the river, that I respect, it probably forms much of your opinions. While I’ve spotted unsocial behaviour from some of the stag/hen parties that hire boats from Glasbury and elsewhere, I think the majority of individuals with their own boats will treat the river and the immediate environment with the respect it deserves. I’ve always gone along with the sentiments of David Lloyd George who espoused the viewpoint that the British countryside belongs to all of us, not just a few. Providing I’m not hurting anyone (or anything) I will continue to walk (and paddle) the countryside of my birth and if that means occasionally sleeping on it’s earth then I don’t consider myself a felon for doing so. Great book by the way… I’ve read it cover to cover.

[@leeturner2116]

@Andy Ballard I was looking for exactly this comment about your open fires not being 'leave no trace'. If nothing else you make the site less spoilt for those that follow you even if you can expect it to be scrubbed clean come winter. Take a look a the many wonderful fireboxes available which make cooking on the fire much easier and can truly claim to leave no trace when positioned on a biscuit tin lid or similar, raised off the ground with a couple of damp sticks. Self build options are many as well. I know that no-one will be able to tell when I have left a campsite having used this method. Otherwise a cracking video, great filming and commentary. I want to go do it :-)

[@leeturner2116]

@@MrAndyballard I was looking for exactly this comment about your open fires not being 'leave no trace'. If nothing else you make the site less spoilt for those that follow you even if you can expect it to be scrubbed clean come winter. Take a look a the many wonderful fireboxes available which make cooking on the fire much easier and can truly claim to leave no trace when positioned on a biscuit tin lid or similar, raised off the ground with a couple of damp sticks. Self build options are many as well. I know that no-one will be able to tell when I have left a campsite having used this method. Otherwise a cracking video, great filming and commentary. I want to go do it :-)

[@MrAndyballard]

@@leeturner2116 Yeah, fair point Lee. I now have a little ‘Valliant’ barbe unit which I'll use on future excursions. I was brought up in the country so am used to being outside and making fires as a kid... something I still take great pleasure in doing. ‘Scrubbing clean’ is something that the river most certainly does in the winter, it makes what we do almost insignificant in comparison. Glad you enjoyed the film! All the best

[@kristaps2010]

I was concerned about fire pit, you might get challenged or even fined. Neither one you want to experience as it causes unnecessary stress. I bought wood burning stove SOLO TITAN, it’s brilliant. Leave no trace.

[@lukeedwards8018]

So nostalgic

[@MrAndyballard]

You think? it was only summer last year

[@lukeedwards8018]

For me I mean haha. I did the exact journey about 8 years ago. Golden days. nice video man thanks for making this

[@MrAndyballard]

Good on ya ! hoping to do a revisit this coming spring/summer.

[@lukeedwards8018]

Nice man enjoy, that part of Wales is one of the best i think

[@jackledouxchoosealifenotak164]

Great content should make videos abit longer tho when you just getting into it it ends none the less great video looking to get out in the 🛶 soon as lockdown ends

[@MrAndyballard]

Cheers again Jack... I sometimes watch longer canoe vids (mostly Canadian) and i think to myself, "that's too long" they talk about what they're eating & cooking, blah blah blah, and mount a GoPro on the bow and blather into it for too long. (Just my opinion). Yeah, I'm in agreement, let's get out on the river.

[@jackledouxchoosealifenotak164]

@@MrAndyballard totally understand your view Andy quick lots of great photos should make a Callander go earn some cash of mercy

[@deetee-uk]

What did you sleep on...when on the gravel banks

[@hicnar]

Great vid! Planning on doing something similar, except that it will be a kayak with my daughter :) Do you need any permits/licenses/insurances in order to do canoeing or kayaking on Wye?

[@MrAndyballard]

Cheers! do it, it's an amazing river. I don't know why I hadn't done it years before. Permits? nah, rivers are our birthright don't you think?, let's keep it that way. Some of the hire company's may get a bit picky about where you intend to stay, but if you're in your own boat there's no one to answer to. I have another more recent vid of the same trip I did solo last year on my channel, check it out... more inspiration! Enjoy your trip.

[@hicnar]

@@MrAndyballard Thanks for your reply! So far I've been approaching rivers in the UK as a fly fisherman, so this is probably this why I think in terms of permits, beats licenses etc. That's good to know things are a bit easier for canoeists! The part of the river you cover in your video looks really beautiful and not to crowded how about the Wye below Hereford?

[@MrAndyballard]

@@hicnar That's because most of the trip was on a weekday! Sat & Sun can be busy (see second vid). I haven't done the Wye below Hereford (that's next trip) but I'm told it's a bit busier than the ‘middle Wye.’ Glasbury to Hereford is meant to be one of the finest sections of the Wye, I'd certainly agree with that. Then there's the circus at Symonds yat! every man and his bleeding dog in canoes! I do like a bit of solitude as you can probably tell.

[@bdh3949]

I've replayed the part of when you fell out of the canoe. How did that happen? It looks as though you decided to flip the canoe purposely. Where you going for dramatics lol? Nice trip on the Wye and I agree with your wild camping needs.

[@MrAndyballard]

yeah.. well... what happened was, firstly it was a ‘top heavy’ canoe - and one borrowed from a mate, a very old job that wasn't really up to a 30 mile river trip. I was also carrying lots of expensive camera gear. When we hit that bit of fast water it veered badly to one side, so I decided rather than capsize completely I'd sacrifice myself rather than soak the cam gear! It does look like I set it up I agree. Thanks for comment! A beautiful river, there's a newer vid of this year's trip in a brand new boat on my channel if yer interested.

[@mikeevans4122]

Out of interest Andy, how do you work the logistics of drop offs and then retrieving the car, etc..... Or do you get the wives involved?!!

[@MrAndyballard]

Ha ! no trouble & strife (wife) for me!! On this trip we parked at the rowing club at Hereford (both vehicles) then strapped the two canoes to my roof-rack and then drove up to Glasbury. I left my car at Glasbury at the put in then on arrival at Hereford rowing club after our paddle my mates van was waiting for us. Like wise both canoes were then strapped to his roof and we drove back up to Glasbury to retrieve my wagon. I have used Kenny's taxis on a solo trip - he will pick you and your boat up. He offers a v good service. Hope this helps.

[@mikeevans4122]

@@MrAndyballard Cheers

[@bazmkelly]

Kindred spirits!

[@MrAndyballard]

Yourself? or me and my mate??!

[@bazmkelly]

@@MrAndyballard Myself! Not done the Wye but have done the Tamar and Teign in Devon, and a few Dartmoor wild camps. No organised campsites!!!!

[@MrAndyballard]

@@bazmkelly ah good stuff. I'll check out the Teign, I love the Wye but would like to do a few more different rivers. Any recommendations on a good stretch of the Teign? I like the sound of Dartmoor too. There's an area near Newbridge where the wild swim spot Sharrah Pool is located, do you know if that is paddleworthy?

[@margott.244]

Off the canoe haha : )))))

[@MrAndyballard]

Hmmm, all good clean fun, the water was pretty warm as well.

[@moomountain]

I don’t think burning the grass is leaving no trace. If someone camped in your garden and then left and it looked the same you couldn’t get angry because you wouldn’t know they’d been there. Go in your garden, see a big burnt circle of grass and you’d know people camped there, you’d then be on the lookout. Same here, landowner/farmer sees a burnt patch of grass he’d be like people are camping here, im not having that. Leave no trace and he’ll be telling people down the pub nobody ever camps on that bit of land. Don’t make it harder for the rest of us, if you have to have a fire do it on the pebbles close to the water at least.

[@MrAndyballard]

Actually... if you looked closely you'd see that a circular patch/turf of grass was removed BEFORE we lit the fire. It was replaced AFTER we left the next morning. NO ONE would see that ANYONE had been there. Perhaps you couldn't see that aspect from the filming angle. Jumping to knee jerk reactions is sometimes inadvisable. On top of that you do realise that gargantuan amounts of water pour down through the wye valley every winter obliterating most of the debris and detritus that accumulates on the banks right? A tiny fire bank side is but a fractional blip on the face of the earth compared to these annual floods.

[@moomountain]

4.50 your lighting on grass this expands to a large fire on grass at 4.55 so no not knee jerk or any angle rubbish, there is no evidence at this point of you clearing a spot and what it looks like when you leave. You did what you did just own it. I’ve seen you reply several times about the water comes down and clears it which has nothing to do with my argument , landowner sees evidence people have been camping there and land he previously didn’t take note of,he starts taking note.

[@madpenguin9402]

Not exactly a challenge, easy river. Couldn't have camped much in life because it's not easy wild camping on that river undistubed with that route and it's not peaceful either in June! Yes, done every inch 20 times. A burning fires on the grass? jesus no wonder campers get a bad rap.

[@MrAndyballard]

No, not a big challenge I'll agree, but in a borrowed moulded heavy fibreglass ‘made for a boating lake job’ which was very tippy it was quite challenging. I'm struggling to get your point there my friend... it was pretty easy to find quiet camp spots along that stretch, and it was VERY peaceful. A circle of turf was cut away for that one fire, and replaced afterwards - no trace of our stay was left. It's easy to be negative in life, but being positive takes a little effort.

[@madpenguin9402]

No, just the Wye and anywhere in the UK isn't what people portray. People try and polish a turd.