Friday 010722 – HT 14:30 SW F4 dropping F3 late PM. Two Open Boats set off from Brightlingsea in an F4 SW wind at 10:45.
We circumnavigated Rat Island which is by the gunnery range near Fingringhoe then continued onto Wivenhoe.
The wind was in our favour so out came the sails, easy going.
Through Wivenhoe we turned left onto the Roman River and followed it to the Mill which is as far as you can go, unless you want to portage somewhere – didn’t look. Underneath the Mill building you can still see the wooden paddle wheel.
wooden paddle wheel under the building.
Back to Wivenhoe and lunch at Rowhedge. (13:00ish) We then paddled north to The Hythe, once passed Rowhedge this became a very industrial part of the river and the Hythe is pretty mucky with abandoned and unkempt boats, shame really as the water quality looked quite clean.
The paddle back was painful with the wind in your face. Trying to stay in the main channel to make the most of the ebbing tide was arduous. I was so pleased once we got back to Brightlingsea and very, very tired.(arrived 17:15ish). I would recommend the trip but only as far as Rowhedge. It would be a good trip for sea kayaks especially novices/intermediates who haven’t that much experience with tidal waters. Many thanks to my fellow paddlers Kevin and Alison.