It was a real treat to spend a night on Pete’s yacht in the marina at Yarmouth, which placed me in a perfect position for Sunday morning, to head off and cover 10 miles. Initially I headed down towards the Needles in the west using the eddy along the coast before moving slightly offshore and catching the flood tide back along to Yarmouth.
I turned around at Fort Albert, paddled past Yarmouth and headed to the east. There was some attractive countryside along that section of the coast before returning to the harbour and heading up the River Yar for a short distance. So 10 miles completed, nice sunny conditions, in just over two hours, 40 minutes. I feel that a return visit to the Isle of Wight is in order, for further paddling
From there, it was a stunning drive down to St. Boniface Down, the highest point on the Isle of Wight, it was made famous in the Battle of Britain film, when it was at the site of the radar station, which was bombed by German Stuka’s in 1940. I couldn’t quite reach the high point of 241 metres but I did manage to stand on the 240 metre contour line, which I reckoned was close enough.
Sunday was the second night on Pete’s yacht, but this time in Southsea Marina, as opposed to the Isle Of Wight. First destination on Monday was Black Down, the county top of West Sussex and the highest point in the South Downs National Park. The rock in the area is Greensand, very different to the chalk downs further to the east, which I am much more familiar with. Scotts Pine is the dominant tree species although the National Trust is trying to create some areas of open heath through controlled burning. It was rather pleasant wandering through the woods to reach the Trig Point at 279 metres.
With Tuesday’s forecast we also decided to go up Ditchling Beacon, the county top of East Sussex. In reality it was just a short walk from the ice cream van. Sandwiched between the 2 county tops I squeezed in 10 miles on the Chichester Canal. A delightful stretch of water, very popular with the SUP community. Interestingly electric SUP pumps are not permitted in the area around the canal. Loads of people inflating their boards with electric pumps could be quite intrusive.
The forecast for Tuesday was not great, Eastbourne was forecast winds of between 30 and 40 mph for the afternoon so I took the decision to scrap my afternoon paddle up the Cuckmere, on the afternoon high tide to Alfriston and decided on an early morning paddle on the meanders at the Seven Sisters Country Park.
I was on the water just after 07.00 but the wind was already increasing in strength. So a combination of a low water level, thick weed and a gusty wind slowed down my progress significantly. At times paddling flat out I could barely reach 2.5 knots. Finished by about 10.30, so able to spend the remainder of the day resting. I took about 40 minutes longer to complete the 10 nm than normal. That wind has a lot to answer for.
Wednesday was a much better day and I started with paddling the River Medway from Tonbridge. There was a number of locks, a couple of which I portaged whilst at the majority I took advantage of the kayak chutes. What a labour saving device and such fun. This was another quiet stretch of water, in the first 9 miles out of 10 I saw more Kingfishers than paddlers.
The afternoon was spent at the county tops of Kent and Greater London. Close together they are located just to the south of Biggin Hill Airport. London was easy, its a road junction on the A233. A sign says Bromley, so no problem. Kent’s highest point is Betsoms Hill, located on private land. Although I was walking along a bridleway, indicated by signposts and marked on the OS maps there were numerous signs telling my that I was being filmed, that there was no right of way etc. I managed to get with 5 metres of the highest point, according to the contour line I was standing on.
Leith Hill is the highest point in Surrey and was a delightful forest covered hillside with a tower dating back to the end of the 18th century, on it summit. It was a steep walk from the car park but the views from the top were quite special. It was possible to see as far as Canary Wharf and Wembley Stadium, to the north, and the South Downs in the opposite direction. We were too early to visit the tower, built in 1765, a reason to return.
The kayaking was on the Basingstoke Canal. A lovely journey through the Surrey countryside, although the tranquillity was punctuated by the occasional arrival of private jets landing at Farnborough. The water level on the canal was particularly low, with a number of moored boats resting on mud. I didn’t actually see any other water uses at all whilst I was paddling. Clearly the drought is having an impact.
From there, we headed to the Dunstable Down, the highest point in Bedfordshire. It was really easy to find as the Trig Point is right next to the road. Then it was off to the hotel, for the earliest finish of the trip so far.
Friday was a big day, as it was the first day I was on my own. Nicky has returned to Jersey. My paddling was on the Grand Union Canal and a launch at a delightful little spot called Cowroast Lock
I headed north and turned into the Wendover arm of the Grand Union Canal, a pretty stretch of water, in its own right. Unfortunately, my progress was blocked. by a rather irate Mute Swan. I've had a number of issues with swans so far on this trip, but today the swan actually flew at me forcing me into the reeds at the side of the canal.
So I beat a hasty retreat, leaving the swan to his own stretch of the Wendover Arm and returned to the main body of water of the Grand Union Canal, where I completed my 10 nautical miles.
To complete the day I walked between the county tops of Hertfordshire and Buckinghamshire. My legs seem to have had a bit of a holiday this week so it felt good to complete a 6 mile walk.
Overnight the media was full of amber warnings of heavy rain and thunderstorms so I was at Richmond, ready to launch just after 08.00 and blimey did it rain. Torrential is not a word I would use that often. I headed up to Teddington and then down stream towards Richmond Bridge, the tide was perfect. Interesting to paddle around Eel Pie Island. The list of iconic bands that played there in the 1960’s is extensive. It was a real pleasure to see so many paddlers from Richmond Canoe Club out training on the river, despite the rather unpleasant weather.
The afternoon was a relatively easy county top, Chancery Lane, the highest point of the City of London, reaching the magical figure of 22 metres.
So 2 weeks completed and I must admit that I am feeling pretty good. A rhythm is developing of early starts and early finishes. I am amazed at the places that I have been to already, so many fascinating and beautiful areas in the southern part of England but so close to the major conurbations. Apart from a few grumpy fishermen, without exception the people have been friendly and supportive. I look forward over the next few weeks of discovering many more hidden gems.
Thank you for the feedback and if you feel able please forward this newsletter to other people in the hope that other people can be encouraged to donate to the charities I am raising money for.
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Have a great week.
Fourteen days completed, or 20 %, of the Challenge.
Miles Paddled: This week 72.86 Running total: 144.68
Miles Walked: This week 15.02 Running total: 36.72
County Tops: This week 12 Running total: 20
Miles Driven: This week 515 Running total: 1086
Really enjoying reading your updates after following along on Instagram.
I reckon swans are plotting a revolution against humanity! We’ve come across some very grumpy ones in recent times. The Basingstoke canal is our regular club haunt during spring and autumn. We go out occasionally in the summer there. Two years ago they closed it to all kayakers etc due to very low levels.
The chutes on the Medway look fun!