This is the first update of my 70 Counties, 70 Days, 70th year Challenge. If all goes well it will be the first of 10 publications, nine on Saturday evenings, with the final one on Sunday 14th September . This post means that seven days are completed, or 10%, of the Challenge finished.
Launching last Sunday morning in Flushing, on the Fal estuary was an incredibly emotional experience but finally underway. It was the last place that Toby paddled. I was fortunate to be accompanied by J P Eatock, to benefit from his company and local knowledge. It could have been an easier first day, at times the Force 4-5 headwind and rain showers combined to produce a Sunday more like October than the beginning of July. The icing on the cake was having to wade through the rather unpleasant mud at the inaccurately named Sunny Corner Slipway. My crocs were literally sucked off my feet.
After coffee and cake it was time to head towards Bodmin Mor and the county top of Cornwall, Brown Willy. The rain had eased but the summit wind remained blustery. There were a number signs asking people to keep their dogs on a lead, particularly when livestock was in the area. There were numerous sheep and cattle in the area but not one of the numerous dogs being walked was on a lead. We were quicker than expected on the walk so arrived in Okehampton, for the night, earlier than anticipated.
Monday was Dartmoor, a relatively early start meant that we had the moors to ourselves on the way up from Meldon Dam Car Park. Conditions were perfect for walking, cool with the cloud base just above the summit. High Willhays is a rather instinctive summit when compared to the better known and more distinctive summit of Yes Tor. Although higher than Brown Willy, the Dartmoor summit requires fewer metres of ascent from the relevant car park.
The paddle in Devon was on the Exeter Ship Canal, with Jane from Exeter Canal Club. The area around Haven Road was a relevation, a hive of activity with participants of all ages taking part in a range of water sports. It was busy when we arrived at 1.00 pm and still in full swing when we left at at 8.00 pm. The paddle started on the Exeter Ship Canal before a portage onto the river, we carried on downstream before a further portage back onto the canal near Topsham. Lovely evening sunshine but a rather inconvenient headwind at times. Day 2 complete.
Tuesday it was Dorset’s turn to provide us with activity. Lewesdon Hill is the highest point in the county and proved to be a delightful walk, from the village of Broadwindsor, where we discovered Charles II had spent the night following his defeat earlier in the month by Cromwell at the Battle of Worcester.
The afternoon paddle was in the company of some of the members of the Poole Harbour Canoe Club, from their base in Hamworthy. We set off in flat calm conditions and bright sunshine only to be hit by a significant increase in wind speed as we turned the southern point of of Brownsea Island. The weather data indicated that the gusts reached 25 knots whilst we were on the water. So it was a slightly more challenging paddle than we expected but I did complete the 10 nautical miles.
Wednesday was the first day when I was paddling on my own. It was on the Bridgewater and Taunton Canal in Somerset. I launched just after 9 o'clock paddling, having to portage past one lock, but for the rest of the time, was able to keep up a steady pace, heading south towards Taunton before returning. A wide variety of birds were seen en route and numerous people out enjoying themselves. Taking advantage of the superb weather along the canal, first opened in 1827. People on stand up paddleboards and sit on tops, walking, riding etc. A real community facility for people of all ages.
Once off the water we headed onto Exmoor and Dunkery Beacon. The view across to the south coast of Wales were superb. It was hard to imagine that it would be another 7 or 8 weeks before I would be exploring that area.
Bristol was Thursdays county and it almost started with a disaster. It was hard to believe that after all the months of planning I had the wrong location as the county top. Fortunately the mistake was spotted and it was an easy walk to a slight curve in the 160 metre contour, which is Bristols high point. It’s not even a summit. Driving to the start of the walk it was both shocking and depressing to see the amount of illegal fly tipping. Each small pull in on the road had significant piles of rubbish. Not a good look and certainly not a good reflection on certain members of the human race.
The afternoon paddle was with Harvey and Steve from the Bristol Canoe Club. Steve was a friend of Toby’s and they had visited Jersey together on a Tower Hamlets Canoe Club trip, so that was a particularly appropriate reunion. We launched in the harbour, near the Club premises, in the area known as the Floating Harbour and headed towards Netham Lock the upstream limit of the floating harbour. We easily accessed the River Avon and headed upstream for a couple of miles to ensure that I completed the required mileage.
Large numbers of people were taking advantage of the developing heat wave, the enjoy the potential of Bristol’s waterways, both on and in the water. Such a positive experience and in complete contrast to the sensation experienced after viewing the fly tipping earlier in the day.
Friday saw me on the Kennet and Avon Canal for the first time since 1989, the last time I paddled the Devizes to Westminster Canoe Race. Again I was accompanied by Adam, who used to live in Jersey. Within 100 metres of the start I was in trouble, pinned against the bank by an aggressive swan. Adam had paddled past without any reaction, fortunately he returned to rescue me. Perhaps it was the red of my kayak which had angered the large bird. The scenario was repeated about 8 miles further along the canal, with another swan.
The paddle to Pewsey Wharf, was significantly more relaxing than 36 years ago, when Pete and myself were pushing the K2 along with positive thoughts about the next 125 miles. Despite the increasing heat the afternoon was going to be spent walking. Initially 1 county top was planned but we ended up visiting 3, which included the 2 highest natural points in South East England.
Milk Hill, in Wiltshire, complete with the Alton Barnes White Horse, was a delightful walk although identifying the highest point, wasn’t straightfoward but in the end we decided upon a spot in the middle of a vegetated plateau.
The final 2 county tops were Pilot Hill in Hampshire and Walbury Hill in Berkshire, relatively easy compared to some of the hills that are still to come. Walbury Hill is the highest natural point in South East England and I am amazed to find that there is no public access. There is a public bridleway just over 100 metres to the north and the height difference is probably only about 3 or 4 metres, but the summit Trig Point looked elusive. Of the 8 county tops completed this week, 2 don’t have public access, which seems a shame.
The final activity of the week was a relatively straightforward 10 nm paddle from Bucklers Hard in Hampshire. The lovely conditions continue. Now on the ferry from Lymington to the Isle of Wight in preparation for tomorrow’s activity.
Have a good week and please share this site with friends etc. The fund raising has been excellent this week but I am sure the charities will appreciate further donations. Many thanks.
Fanconi Hope and Dementia Jersey
Miles Paddled: 71.82 nautical miles
Miles Walked: 21.7 miles
County Tops: 8
Miles Driven: 571 miles
Brilliant update of your first week, and glad the wind has been kinder after the initial start.
Did you manage to recover your crocs from the mud?
Love hearing about all these new to me places you're visiting.