Broads Trip Ranworth Staithe-St Benets Abbey-Thurne & Return
Published: December 2009 | Written by: Paul Jary
Organised by Keith Poulson. 4 Kayaks. With John Ricketts, Rob Randall & Paul Jary.
Weather: Dry/overcast/sunny periods/ bitterly cold. Wind: NE 3-4. Distance 10 miles.
Arriving at Ranworth Staithe at 0915hrs we were very surprised to see the broad frozen over with sheet ice about ½ inch thick. After getting kitted up, we had to break the ice with paddles before we could launch the kayaks. With our ex naval seaman John Ricketts leading and in single file, we had to break the ice to make a route across the broad to reach the main river. Hoping that the route would not freeze before our return? We paddled against the wind past historic St Benets Abbey and on to Thurne dyke. The dyke was frozen over and again using paddles we broke the ice to force a route to the small slipway at the end of the dyke. We then had a quick lunch and all said it was much colder off the water than on! With toes feeling cold, we launched and breaking ice again we left the dyke. With the wind behind we paddled steadily and soon regained body heat (except our feet).
We stopped at St Benets Abbey for a quick photo shoot with the historic abbey arch as the backdrop. Continuing with wind behind we soon arrived at the entrance to Ranworth channel leading back to the broad and staithe. Fortunately boat traffic had broken the ice for our journey across the broad. Arriving at 13.15hrs at the staithe, again we had to break the ice with paddles before we could access the get out point.
Quite an eventful winter paddle, with the sheet ice making the trip more interesting than usual.