Nick Dennis
WCHA UK
Well for this meet I went for it; a 4 day spring meet on the Norfolk Broads in the East of England. The area is known as Britains' Magical Waterland being made up of large expanses of water (Broads) connected by rivers and small cuts. The Broads were medieval peat diggings which subsequently flooded. Millions of peat turves were dug to be used for fuel locally but also for nearby cathedrals.
This is Barton Broad. We were based at an activity centre top left in the photo.
Fourteen people attended; mostly paddlers but some who are members but no longer paddle so they came with an electric boat which was great as a fleet tender which could carry gear, food and tired children for us.
Early on the Friday morning Sam and I were both out on the water by 6.30am as this is a magical time. The conditions were quite benign as the sun was rising. There is always the chance of an otter encounter. This morning as we paddled the Bitterns were "booming" in the reedbeds whilst the occasional flash of turquoise gave a Kingfishers location away. A quick hour and then back for a cooked breakfast and freshly brewed coffee or tea. A perfect start to the day.
As the day opened up the wind freshened and as we poked our noses out on to the Northern edge of Barton Broad the highways and swell coming up the whole length of the broad had us spinng 180 degrees ad instead heading up the more sheltered River Ant and Sutton Broad
We all returned safely to the campsite and enjoyed hot supper at the centre. Just enough paddling to get everyone into gear and stretch the muscles. We all slept well as the deer barked in the marsh, the Bitterns continued to "boom" and the owls hooted. The next morning we all awoke to clear skies and sunshine the alarm call for all being several Greater Spotted Woodpeckers sounding like machine guns in the nearby group go Oak trees.
The paddle for the day was the River Ant and The privately owned North Walsham & Dirham Canal. Armed with a picnic we set off; at the entrance to the canal the support vessel had to take another route as our route would be too narrow and shallow for them. It was a great paddle up to the disused Honing lock which was our turnaround and picnic point.
TBC
This is Barton Broad. We were based at an activity centre top left in the photo.
Fourteen people attended; mostly paddlers but some who are members but no longer paddle so they came with an electric boat which was great as a fleet tender which could carry gear, food and tired children for us.
Early on the Friday morning Sam and I were both out on the water by 6.30am as this is a magical time. The conditions were quite benign as the sun was rising. There is always the chance of an otter encounter. This morning as we paddled the Bitterns were "booming" in the reedbeds whilst the occasional flash of turquoise gave a Kingfishers location away. A quick hour and then back for a cooked breakfast and freshly brewed coffee or tea. A perfect start to the day.
As the day opened up the wind freshened and as we poked our noses out on to the Northern edge of Barton Broad the highways and swell coming up the whole length of the broad had us spinng 180 degrees ad instead heading up the more sheltered River Ant and Sutton Broad
We all returned safely to the campsite and enjoyed hot supper at the centre. Just enough paddling to get everyone into gear and stretch the muscles. We all slept well as the deer barked in the marsh, the Bitterns continued to "boom" and the owls hooted. The next morning we all awoke to clear skies and sunshine the alarm call for all being several Greater Spotted Woodpeckers sounding like machine guns in the nearby group go Oak trees.
The paddle for the day was the River Ant and The privately owned North Walsham & Dirham Canal. Armed with a picnic we set off; at the entrance to the canal the support vessel had to take another route as our route would be too narrow and shallow for them. It was a great paddle up to the disused Honing lock which was our turnaround and picnic point.
TBC
