A stroll from Saunton to Putsborough

Well there was no surf, and it was too windy and rough for novice sea-kayaking alone, so the only thing left is walking, which is not at all unpleasant on North Devon's Heritage Coast.


View A stroll fron Saunton to Puts in a larger map

Messing about on the canal

Start: Coy Carp Public House, Harefield, Middx,
Grid Ref: TQ 039 911
Map here.

Head south a random distance and come back. Total distance 2.8 miles. It was Pete's idea to take Gerard to get him wet.

They also wanted the opportunity to take the piss out of my sit-on-top kayak, which isnt a real kayak, apparently.


As the picture shows, man-love is still possible in a sit on top kayak. And you can rescue playboats with them when they sink.




And then someone nicked his his boat. Luckily there's room for two on the super floater.

A potter on the Thames - Marlow to Medmenham

Start: Marlow Court garden Leisure Centre. Grid Ref SU 847 858.
Distance: 8km return
View map here.

There's a car park there, though it'll be rammed on a sunny Sunday afternoon in summer. I got a "sneak spot".

250 yard portage across the park to the river bank.

Then head upstream almost to Medmenham and back, shooting the locks since there was other traffic and its more fun than carrying around them.

Lovely coming back down in the early evening..all the traffic had evaporated and I had the river to myself.

Upstream time 2x downstream time at summer flow rates.

Fatboy finally floats his goat boat.

This is the kayak -- a perception scooter -- after her maiden voyage at Seven Sisters Country Park grid ref TV 517 987.

Pleasant paddle in easy waters. Beware the entry to the sea though - strong tidal current up or down the river that you won't paddle against. However, its only a short distance and easy to portage because there are footpaths on the west bank.






Park at the country park - there are two car parks, take the one on the right if you are coming from Seaford. Costs £3.50 in 2009.

Launch from the slipway, not the river bank.

Head down the meanders until the no boating sign, then portage across the bank and seal launch into the cut.

The tidal current is quite strong - I had to wade towards the sea, and couldnt get into Cuckmere Haven by paddling because the tide tears into the narrow channel. Best to time it to enter the sea down the tide, and come back up the river on the flood tide - assuming the sea conditions are safe for that.

On the way back, paddle up the cut to the road bridge, exit up the wooden steps on your right and drop into the meanders and easily back to your car.

Next time...with calm seas, paddle down the tide into the haven and along the foot of the best chalk cliffs in northern Europe, then back up the river on the rising tide.