The start of the fourth week began in Nottinghamshire. I launched from the very friendly and helpful Beeston Marina. Parking, slipway, cafe and a useful shop. Having spent most of the last two weeks paddling on canals, I was immediately struck by the scale of the Trent. Paddling upstream was not too bad but on the return journey I was averaging over 5 knots, with the assistance of the flow. My type of paddling.
I also completed 2 county tops. Nottinghamshire, is interesting in that it has had 3 different tops this century. Silverhill with a statue and fairly extensive views, was a former spoil heap. The accolade of high point was then given to Strawberry Hill, where there is a plaque declaring it as the highest natural point in Nottinghamshire. After some re-measuring the honour of the highest point in the county was given to Newtonwood Lane. Two minutes was all that was required to summit this county top. I also went up the county top of Lincolnshire, fortunately another short one, as I was in a hurry to make sure that I watched the England Women’s football team retain their European trophy!
Monday was a real treat, my first day paddling with someone for over 2 weeks. I met Paul Alker and his brother in law Malcolm at the Torksey Lock, on the Fossdyke Navigation, to the north west of Lincoln. This may be oldest canal in Britain, still in regular use. It is generally assumed that it was built in about 120 AD, making it just over two thousand years old. The Normans possibly used the canal to transport the rock for Lincoln Cathedral, in the 11th century with the final commercial operation in 1972.
We were lucky today as the infamous, aggressive swan Sid appeared to be out the day so it was a much more relaxed paddle. We finished at the lovely canal side pub, The Pyewipe, for a well earned lunch and a pint. Having a meal and a pint ensures that you don’t get fined for parking in the pub car park.
Tuesday started so well. I had arranged to visit the Thorne Cruising Club, what an absolutely wonderful group of people. So friendly and helpful. I was paddling on the Stainforth & Keadby Canal, a waterway which I had never heard of until I started to plan the trip. It opened in 1802 and winds its way through some beautiful countryside. As in common with almost everywhere else I have been there are the inevitable resident aggressive swans. This canal is somewhere well worth visiting if you are looking for a different paddling location.
After such a great morning the afternoon was a bit of a disappointment. I was hoping to paddle on the Pocklington Canal. The recommended place for launching seemed rather too hazardous for a solo kayaker because of the amount of traffic from the parking location to the canal. I found an alternative launch spot unfortunately it quickly became clear that the weed was pretty problematic, so I called it a day after 2.16 nautical miles. The East Riding of Yorkshire needed a rethink.
Wednesday was an early start on the southern outskirts of York to paddle on the River Ouse. I headed downstream first and so was unaware of the splendor of Bishopthorpe Palace, the official residence of the Archbishop of York, which was just upstream. I also headed into the centre of York to ensure I achieved my 10 nautical miles. Be aware that the launch fee is not the £2 mentioned on some websites but is actually £7.50. Serious inflation.
After yesterdays disappointment on the Pocklington Canal, the remedy was a real treat, kayaking on the sea. I left from South Landing, just south of Flamborough Head. It was whilst driving towards the launch that I realised that after 56 years of being a kayaker, this was going to be the first time I had ever ventured onto the North Sea. Moving water, a slight swell, cliffs and hundreds of sea birds. My Nordkapp felt at home after all the days on the canals.
Thursday was supposed to be another sea day but a northerly swell and increasing wind meant that I stayed inside the harbour at Whitby, heading upstream to the weir at Ruswarp. Apparently it is the only river in Yorkshire, which flows east. If you are visiting the area it is worth looking for an alternative to the marina for launching. The daily cost for launching on the slip and parking is £28. You have been warned. Clearly they don’t want to encourage paddlers
Friday was a really satisfying day. An early start from Gateshead, using the last of the flood tide upstream from Gateshead. It was important to keep to the southern shore as the north bank is Northumberland. The return journey downstream averaged over 5 knots, the sort of paddling I really enjoy. I did attempt to get ahead of the game and get a few miles completed in Northumberland but gave up after I appreciated how strong the ebb tide was starting to flow. Just one extra mile in the bag.
I also paddled on the River Wear in Durham today. Finding a place to launch was not easy but I did eventually find a pretty good spot. Sadly the light was grey and flat so any photographs just didn’t do justice to the amazing historical sites of this beautiful city.
Saturday was my first big mountain day. Mickle Fell, the highest point in County Durham and the third highest county top in England. It is the middle of the Warcop Live Firing Range. It is only open on a few days each, prior approval is required. My permit was for the 2nd August, so lots of other counties had to fit in around this date. I saw 2 people on the summit, who had walked from the north, and that was all. My 8 mile walk was literally on my own. After the drought conditions conditions underfoot were almost perfect, some streams were actually dry. After the autumn rains it must be a completely different experience.
I was surprised by the views, the Lake District was clear to the west, Great Dun Fell was clear to the north west, a mountain I last climbed whilst walking the Pennine Way in 1975. Whilst the Yorkshire 3 Peaks could be seen to the south west. A good mountain day, which could have been so different with different conditions underfoot. Always nice to see Red Grouse as well.
So week 4 has drawn to a close and at the moment I am trying to work out the impact Storm Floris is going to have on my plans and how I can re-arrange things to ensure that I do my best to complete the 70 counties in 70 days. Overall a really satisfying week.
Twenty eight days completed, or 40 %, of the Challenge.
Miles Paddled: This week 84.31 Running total 320.18
Miles Walked: This week 12.83 Running total 68.82
County Tops: This week 5 Running total 30
Miles Driven: This week 573 Running total 2230