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:
[e-mail]
Or by mail at:
Simon, a bloke in the woods
PO Box 384
Diss
Norfolk
IP22 9DB
UK
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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

[@seanthomasdowd]

Wow that's a long camp, a whole fort night

[@ccmogs5757]

lol , should"ve been FOuRTeen days :)

[@roybinson6460]

Hehe!

[@simonablokeinthewoods]

Hahaha - that’s good!!! 😂

[@deborahhoch2662]

That was good std🤭

[@mcgsc]

😂

[@SgtFluffytheoriginal]

Why in the world would anyone dislike this?

[@nicolab2075]

Well me for one, my fat thumbs press the wrong buttons. I find weird random videos in my 'liked' folder too 🤣😊🤣

[@myvoiceyourstory9338]

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 :)

[@davidkidwell736]

Canoeing, steaks, beer, good friends, can't get any better.

[@nicolab2075]

Well maybe another couple of steaks...

[@stephenlambert9826]

What A power couple you two are 😂 these collaborations are my favourites hands down

[@jonathandavis5794]

I love your music choices for the shows.

[@sarkybugger5009]

Bear burrito. LOL. No bears down here in Kent, except for the one you're camping with.

[@simonablokeinthewoods]

😂😂😂

[@gregphillips.1312]

Two of my favourite KZbinrs back entertaining us together again 🤩

[@abefrohman1759]

Andy “Simon what side dishes are we having with the steak? Simon “Another steak mate.” Andy “Brilliant.”

[@johnbrett9929]

Loved it when you said "l'm starving !" and proceeded to sink your teeth into the mre bag.😅

[@steveb1972]

Great to see you two out and about on another adventure together!👍🏻

[@mrdhughes4635]

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]

Hahaha - thank you!!

[@ericstoever9577]

“There’s nothing - absolutely nothing - half so much worth doing as messing about in boats” - Kenneth Grahame, The Wind in THe Willows

[@tonywoollcombe1799]

Good old Ratty

[@simonablokeinthewoods]

Absolutely! 🛶

[@nicolab2075]

@@simonablokeinthewoods That canoe emoji looks EXACTLY like your beautiful canoe!

[@grumpyauldman]

You know that was enough steak for six people, right? 😆

[@samrotroff3928]

So excited to see the boys back together!

[@wastelandwarrior9738]

Amazing trip but even better having a good friend and a adventure. Nice video. Cheers from the States

[@loupiscanis9449]

Thank you , Simon . 🐺 Loupis Canis .

[@andrewforrest8938]

Great to see Simon and Andy together canoeing and camping amazing video nice one Simon.

[@suchetadutta1570]

Same same

[@HobbiesAndSunshine]

Brilliant trip, wow, looking forward to the next bit. Lovely steaks, now that's food for Fort!

[@geographyinaction7814]

Simon and Andy back at it!!!!!! GREEN with envy!!!! Cheers!

[@MerlinFox]

Yaas! Perfect antidote to being back at work :)

[@guile108]

"yaas!" is the antidote to manhood.

[@simonablokeinthewoods]

Thanks matey! 😁👍

[@billyjoeallen]

The music made me think of a very similar old fort near Grand Isle, Louisiana

[@kaytaylor5123]

Wow! Our neck of the woods! If we saw you we'd have shouted and waved. 😊

[@simonablokeinthewoods]

And we’d have waved back! Next time. 👍👍

[@antonycrow1657]

It's good to see the boys back together 😁

[@justtesting6185]

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.

[@mr.breeze7806]

I'd camp with these guys anytime, anywhere.

[@pamelaklemp5615]

🌊🛶🛶⛺⛺🛡🛡♨️🍽🍽🥩🥩🍺🍺🍻🌝🌛🌅 My Dream Adventure Trip Of A Lifetime 😊. SPLENDID video. 😊 Love it when Historical Sights are revisited by current generations.

[@simonhjc]

How utterly fabulous

[@woodlandbiker]

Banjo music and canoes. I thought I was watching deliverance for a moment there

[@richo1177]

Squeal piggy

[@garryafurze]

Your Video was on first so Andy will have to wait! 👍❤️

[@LostLakes]

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!

[@enriqueestebanantoniosuare6414]

Simply beautiful. History and good friendship.

[@barchetta1234]

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.

[@tonystrange7224]

Great to see you two back together again on an adventure. Cracking music as well, very frontierish

[@tonywoollcombe1799]

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 🍺🥃

[@andrewwoods4906]

Good to see the two of you back on the trail Simon. Looking forward to part two.

[@danozeman26]

That Fort looked a great place. I'd have stayed a couple of days. Or even a Fort night😂

[@lauriebloggs8391]

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]

Thanks mate! 👍👍👍

[@mediocrefunkybeat]

The only danger is that you might actually have to go into Chatham at the end of it...

[@gordonmccalister1892]

It is really fabulous to see the two of you together again!

[@TheGardener54uk]

WOW those steaks are amazing lol and how you cooked it , fanstastic

[@KaylynnStrain]

just watched Andy's vid, great to see you 2 out together again !!!!!1

[@Wessexecoenergy]

Awesome video, great to have you back Simon.

[@jimsoltner8978]

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.

[@dorsettyke]

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]

I'm on same trip KZbin outdoors

[@malcolmT]

Fantastic... Now got Andys take on the trip 👍😁👍

[@Fannin7]

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.

[@gregbueta2079]

Another great video Simon, w/ Andy, always entertaining, relaxing, good job guys 🌈❤️🇵🇭

[@charliekingpine3893]

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.

[@allthisuselessbeauty]

Always Cool When You and Andy Do a Collab , !!

[@ed7540]

Great video guys. Thank you can’t wait for the next one. 👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍

[@andykjohnsonjohnson7622]

Nice video Simon 👍& Andy, looking forward to part 2👌

[@outdoorkohai3249]

Glad you're able to get out again, great seeing you two enjoying yourselves!

[@cornwallradiophonic6250]

Tonights late night viewing and thanks as always as i know i will enjoy the ride

[@gringo3009]

Very cool! My two favorite Englishmen!

[@ramblynrocketeer]

Brilliant video!! 🚣 ⛺️🔥🥩🍻 Really enjoyed seeing the architecture of the fort. 😁

[@janvaartjes]

It's making me jealous again.

[@rejnokarl2514]

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.

[@jackstem475]

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.

[@Kathy_Is_Blessed]

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!

[@davidmedrano6684]

First One 💪

[@Scotland_my]

What an interesting Fort. Really looking forward to the next part. 👍🔥🍻

[@mattbrown2654]

Can’t wait for part 2

[@paulwilson7234]

Brilliant 👍

[@on2wheelz28]

An adventure FOR Two! 👌

[@pamharvill621]

Great seeing you two on the water again

[@TheMudDiver]

Absolute Great Entertainment! And respect for the Open water canoeing!

[@Wanna.Wander]

Love this vid 💜💜

[@camdee9916]

Fab video lads, looking forward to part 2.

[@appalachianbushcraft6335]

Awesome cheers

[@matthewbradbury2259]

Great to see you two back out on the water!

[@steveqhanson6835]

Looks fun!

[@thomasbillow4385]

Great video showcasing some English history. Thank you Simon

[@coldriveroutdoors5344]

Very cool spot! Thank you Simon for sharing this with us

[@GAR85120514]

That place is amazing. Well done and thanks.

[@kooral6959]

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

[@ericjudd9603]

Looks fun👍

[@LoisDavidsonArt]

Fabulous adventure, thanks so much Simon, and spectacular cinematography, can't wit for part 2!

[@simonablokeinthewoods]

Thanks Lois!

[@ushillbillies]

Awesome Trip

[@craiglake6091]

Another great adventure. Cheers to both of you.

[@mmm144]

Thx Simon and Andy ! Good work.

[@suchetadutta1570]

Love your travels together... 👍👍

[@johngray9702]

Thank you for your video. Those steaks and mushroom sauce looked so yummy.

[@wcronin7307]

High level adventure. Love old forts.

[@jondavey8054]

Great film- drooling at the steak!😊👍

[@alfredofreghieri8360]

Great video! Simon+Andy Top!

[@magicdrshoon]

Great mini adventure!

[@brianjones1151]

Very Cool, Simon !!

[@gregsanderson2470]

Nicely done.

[@margaretbagur3553]

Love the fort! Thanks for sharing.

[@benf3607]

Nice adventure!!!!

[@sirtaylor2569]

you two are amazing together!

[@sighfie8324]

Another great video! Cheers for sharing and the history lesson!

[@Vaz_DeFerenz]

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

[@lurchie]

What an interesting place to camp!

[@vetworker]

Good to see you both out and about again. Good times 👍👍👍

[@nielsmachielsen1596]

Great trip! Great camping in a fort😊

[@andrewbesford324]

right life ,nice one

[@charlesmedley9611]

I so look forward to your videos Thank you.

[@blister4walken]

Brilliant. Looks like great fun. Looking forward to the next part. I'll watch Andys' vid now 😀

[@michaelmcfarland3300]

Always enjoy when you two get together. Thanks for another great video.