Canoeing

Runs depend on tides, weather, and the capability of the group.  Approximate times (heights relative to Immingham Dock in brackets) of high water are: Saturday, 1005h (6.9m); Sunday, 1049h (6.8m), necessitating early starts (with due consideration not to disturb other campers).  These are mid-range tides so we should have enough water, and possibly strong currents to paddle against at times.  A trolley is useful, but not essential, for runs starting at Wells and Morston.  Subject to suitable weather runs will be as below.  Trips are suitable for general-purpose kayaks, but if you have a sea kayak that is preferable.  If you are inexperienced, or want to paddle an open canoe please discuss with me in advance.

Saturday

Leave Stiffkey around 0650h to launch at Wells lifeboat station (pay & display parking, toilets) at 0750h.  Paddle through creeks to Stiffkey Marshes (‘lunch’ stop) via East Fleet and back via Stonemeal Creek, finishing by about 1220hh at the lifeboat station.  Approx 10 miles, but with tidal assistance for much of the way.  If we make good time and weather is suitable it may be possible to paddle a circuit of Stiffkey Marsh, entering from the seaward end of Garborough Creek and arriving at the lunch spot via a narrow creek which winds through the marsh.  At one location on this creek we will probably have to carry round a pipe which crosses the creek at bank level.

OR

Leave Stiffkey around 0725h to launch at Morston at about 0805h (National Trust car park, fee for non-members, toilets).  Paddle a circuit of Blakeney Pit via Freshes Creek (short coffee stop), Blakeney Point and Blakeney Quay (‘lunch’ stop, toilets), finishing back at Morston by 1225h.  Distance approx 8 miles, initially against a strong incoming tide for about half a mile as we paddle out of Morston Creek.

Sunday 

Leave camp site at about 0710h to launch at Burnham Overy Staithe (free parking, but no toilets) at 0850h.  Paddle a round trip through Trowland Creek returning via Norton Creek with coffee stop at the western end of Trowland Creek and the main lunch stop at Long Hills on the west end of Scolt Head Island.  A further stop is possible on the E end of Scolt Head Island on the return trip (minimum 6.5mls, but about 9mls if we land at Long Hills).  Finish at Overy Staithe by about 1230h.  We may be paddling against a strong incoming tide for the first half hour or so down Overy Creek.

OR

One of the trips listed for Saturday above (but omitting East Fleet which may be not be passable), leaving the Stiffkey at around 0730h and finishing at about 1300h.  

Non-canoeists

Plenty of things to do, including:

1.Walks from the campsite along the coast path to Wells or Blakeney and beyond (you can return on the ‘Coasthopper’ bus), or out onto the marsh at low tide.

2.Wells-next-the Sea.  Small port.  Shops in Staithe Street, quay with moored boats, where children endlessly dangle baited lines to catch crabs (but they need supervision – I’ve never seen a child fall in yet, but it seems an ever-present possibility). Miniature railway to beach, walk along the beach and back via pinewoods.  You can swim in the creek seaward of the lifeboat station even at low tide, but be aware of the current.

3.Holkham Hall.  Bygones museum, garden centre, pottery, walks in the park.

4.Holkham Beach.  Pine trees, sand dunes, and miles of sand flats at low tide.

5.Morston and Blakeney.  Small quays busy with dinghy sailors when the tide is in.  Boat trips to see the seals off Blakeney Point when the tide is in.

6.Burnham Overy Staithe.  Paradise for ‘messing about in boats’.  Flood bank walk to beach. Beware, no public toilets!  Food at ‘The Hero’