13-16 Aug 2015 (photos)

A four day open canoe trip through the Norfolk Broads.

Thursday 13th

We met at Whitlingham Woods near Norwich, and paddled down the River Yare to Rockland Broad and back.

After paddling we drove to the campsite at Bureside Holiday Park which was our base for the next three days.

Friday 14th

After some overnight rain, we paddled, from the campsite, along the River Bure to Horning and back. The highlight was an excellent view of a Bittern flying across the river. Morning coffee was at Ranworth followed by a look round the Ranworth Broad Nature Reserve. The river is notionally tidal, but the sluggish flow on the water had far less effect than the breeze, which sometimes helped and sometimes hindered our progress. Fortunately, the forecast rain, stayed away and we had sunny spells.

Saturday 15th

After some more overnight rain, we again paddled from the campsite, up the River Ant to Barton Broad and back. Coffee at Ludham Bridge provided some amusement watching the inexperienced boat drivers bouncing off the sides of the low bridge. The weather was slightly cooler but still pleasant. A pleasant meal in the pub in Thurne rounded off a good day.

Sunday 16th

There was no overnight rain so we took down dry tents! We paddled from the campsite again, up to Hickling Broad and back on the River Thurne. We stopped for coffee by the low bridge at Potter Heigham. The highlight was ten Common Cranes seen as we approached Heigham Sound.

We covered about 55 miles over 4 days.