(For background notes and details of past DCA exercises please refer to Bulletins ref 110/10, 111/5a, 114/15, 115/21, 122/15 and 123/29a)

1 A further attempt to link the River Wey above Guildford with the River Arun at Pallingham, without using vehicles for portage. This time without expected or even asking for help from the Wey and Arun Canal Society (let’s keep clear of canal politics). The exercise will inevitably involve some miles of portage, and probably a lot of hauling and slithering, therefore lightweight canoes and trolleys will be required, April or May 1990.

Note Bolger designed a light canoe-punt for this kind of exercise.

2 Re-tracing part of Dashwood’s 1867 cruise from Weybridge to Lymington via Guildford and Littlehampton. Ideally using a traditional sailing boat, but any seaworthy craft would do. Launching at Pulborough we would first go up to the junction of the old Wey and Arun Canal (on the flood), and then back down on the ebb to Littlehampton. From there we would have to negotiate the open sea passage round Selsey Bill before reaching the semi‑sheltered waters of the Solent. Allow at least 4 days by sail and oar.

3 As above, but re-tracing ‘Rob Roy’ Macgregor’s 1868 voyage from the Thames via the Wey and Arun and thence over the Channel and up the Seine to Paris. Ideally in a traditional yawl, but an outboard motor would nowadays be needed to ensure a swift passage over the busy shipping lanes.

Of course, any of these cruises could commence with entering the Wey from the Thames at Weybridge, hauling out above Guildford.

Incidentally, Dashwood took his wife, a barrel of beer, a Pomeranian dog and an India‑rubber bath with him, and Macgregor carried a cargo of Protestant tracts. I am all for historical authenticity, but I feel we could dispense with the dog, the bath and the tracts!

If you are interested and especially if you have a seaworthy boat suitable for (3), please write or phone me. Talbot Kirk already has his name down.

See also The Thames to the Solent by J Dashwood 1868 (DCA Library) and Pleasure Boating in the Victorian Era and other works by PAL Vine.