 February 3rd-5th Slightly later than normal, this is our usual New Year Dart trip, but at the Prince of Wales bunkhouse at Princetown.
The Dart Loop, for those unfamiliar with this stretch of river, is a delightful section of grade 3 water. At high levels, it becomes meatier, fast-flowing and presents problems for rescuing boats: we would reserve the right then, if necessary, to suggest people do not paddle. The Walkham or Tavy might also be possibilities, depending on water.
The bunkhouse is situated at the back of The Prince of Wales pub, with easy access from the car park and with a back route into the pub.
This accommodation is brand new, with wide, comfortable bunks and good-sized rooms. One or two people on our last visit minded not having a rail on the upper bunks, but there are individual lights and sockets for each bed, which is a bonus. The bedroom area is behind a coded door on the ground floor, so easily-accessed if people arrive at different times. The place is warm and the landlord offered to put on the heating on the Saturday to be ready for our arrival off the river. Showers are by a 50p token from the bar, timed for 4 minutes. The showers are a bit erratic and water is tramped out into the corridors.
The kitchen area upstairs has a fridge, sink and microwave, but no cooker, so is not suited to cooking a breakfast. A full cooked breakfast is available from the bar - you leave what you don't want. Vegetarians, please give advance notice!The living area, off the kitchen, has luxuriant sofas, carpet and superior beanbags, but people will end up sitting on the floor if the bunkhouse is full.
Drying areas are very limited: although there is a small drying room, tumble drier and plastic airer off the kitchen, it is difficult to hang cags and drysuits to dry. The landlord offered an outside shed for dripping items, but this can be accessed only via the landlord, as the shed also holds all his bottles of spirit!! Make sure you bring a full set of spare dry thermals to avoid drying things.
The cost is £35 for bed and breakfast for two nights. A Saturday night meal is available from the pub, where they are able to sit large numbers with no problems. Meals range from around £9-£13, the latter being on immense rectangular plates. (Mariah and I shared a meal). We need to let the pub know on Friday night if we want to book a large table.
YOU NEED TO BRING SLEEPING BAG, PILLOW AND TOWEL.
Cheques please for £35, made payable to Whitewater Action Medway, sent to our treasurer Gary Jenkins, 14 Jarrett Avenue, Wainscott, Kent ME2 4NL. Please pay as soon as possible as we have already paid a £200 deposit.
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