Maidstone Canoe Club

We are invited by Tim Harlow of Maridian CC for a paddle to Strood and back from the Strand, bring packed lunch and drinks/snack details:

Meet at The Strand Car Park (free parking, toilets and café), Gillingham, ME7 1TT at 10.15 BST
Launch at 10.45 BST

Once launched we will cross the shipping lane and head eastwards to Hoo Ness then continue to the northern shore of the Medway at Port Werburgh.
We then follow the northern shore passing Cookham Wood Fort remains, the various yacht clubs and Upnor Castle until we reach Strood where there are steps for us to get out and eat our packed lunches. 
This is a 5 mile paddle.
HW at Strood is at 12:29 BST and we will set off soon afterwards.
We will cross the Medway to the southern shore and follow it along past Sun Pier, The Historic Dockyard, Chatham, Chatham Lock Gates and Corporation Wharf where we can view the paddle steamer The Medway Queen and the preserved Lightship. 
Then onwards to The Strand where I hope to land about 16:30 BST.
This is shorter at 4.5 miles.

The trip is 5 miles to Strood and 4.5 miles to return making a total of 9.5 miles.
Paddlers should be of a 2* standard.