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Firstly lets start with how all of this came about.  Whilst rowing a boat to float some tern rafts as part of the Sowe Valley Project at Stoke Floods Local Nature Reserve Ian decided it was rather fun.  At the same time Ian and his good mate Dazza were planning their next adventure.  Having already completed the 3 Peaks Challenge and the London Marathon, Ian and Dazza were looking for something a little different.  After a brief discussion they decided it would be appropriate to row down the river all the way to the sea.  After some investigation they found that this was legal and possible, all they needed was a licence for the boat they didn't have.  Further investigations revealed that the River Nene which starts just outside Northampton is 91 miles long, has 38 locks between Northampton and Peterborough and is tidal for the last part of it's journey.  Those challenges and need for food, water and sleeping accomodation were but minor obstacles in comparison to the lack of boat.  So the plan was set, nothing could go wrong....Well some things could go wrong, like not having a lock key and then obtaining a boat with a small hole in.  But once those problems were solved the date was set!  Wednesday 14th July 2010 the two intrepid adventurors would set off on their voyage of discovery!

 

Secondly, and most importantly the reason for doing the challenge...... Warwickshire Wildlife Trust are working with partnership organisations to try and enhance the habitat in the last few remaining colonies of water voles in the area.  Water voles are now one of the UK's most threatened mammals having suffered severe declines in recent decades as a result of predation by the non native North American Mink and habitat loss and fragmentation.  The money raised will go towards supporting this vital work, and will hopefully ensure that the prevention of extinciton of this charasmatic species.