The scheduled white water trip was cancelled due to the lack of water in the rivers. So Kevin, Anna and myself decided we wanted to paddle somewhere.  After a few emails, a look at the tide tables and the weather, Walton Backwaters in sea boats was decided. Cold and foggy 7:30, we put the three sea boats in the van and set off through the fog. By the time we got to Walton sea front most of the fog had burnt off, it was still cold. Five minuets on to the water with a very slight push against the in-coming tide we soon warmed up. The fog still hanging over Felixtowe docks made the cranes look like something out of a SiFi movie. As we entered the backwaters the breeze dropped and the water turned into a mirror. The tide was still on the rise so we decided to cut through the marshes between Horsey and Hedge end islands it didn’t end well, wrong creek dead end! After a 10 meter portage we were back on track. Spot on for timing as the tide turned, we were into Hamford waters now being followed be about 6 seals. A quick look up Oakley Creek where we saw a few more common seals and a big Grey seal basking on the mud. With the tide on its way out it was time to get going, after a quick leg stretch and a cuppa we were heading back to Walton. We even managed to take in a bit of surfing between the breakwater at The Naze. According Christmas present watch, we did 19.2 KM and burnt 1175 calories, that helped to burn off the xmas excess. Great paddle, company and weather conditions. A good one to revisit in the summer.