Taking the proverbial on the Bure and Waveney
Published: 2006 | Written by Elaine Sherrifs
“It’s just around the bend” and “I think it’s easing off a bit!”
Two memorable trips this year were the Beccles to Oulton Broad trip led by Tim Bacon and the Ranworth to Salhouse Broad led by Paul Jary. Why memorable, you may ask? Although not particularly long they became perhaps two of the most gruelling trips I have been on – mainly due to the tantalising “lies” told on the trips!
Firstly the trip on the Waveney from Beccles to Outlon Broad started out well, but sadly within a mile the exposed conditions and wind proved too much for Stuart paddling solo in an open canoe. We stopped at the bank to reconsider and Gavin gallantly offered to join Stuart in his open canoe whilst others took it in turns to tow Gavin’s kayak – not an easy proposition with the wind. However, this blip did not deter our enthusiasm and we paddled on down the Waveney looking forward to our lunch break. The hours ticked past as we became increasingly tired and hungry. A coffee break would have been good but we were deluded into thinking that the lunch stop was close by. Yes, I raise my hand as the guilty culprit! Having paddled the same route before I was convinced that our lunch stop was ‘Just around the bend” and tantalised the other paddlers with this phrase as we rounded every bend in the river until they were on the point of capsizing me! Finally, and it felt like “finally”, we arrived at Burgh St Peter’s for our lunch stop. We huddled up in the shelter of a wooden building, part of the Riverside Centre. We sat shivering there for half an hour, eating our sandwiches and crisps, watching and smelling Gavin fry up his delicious bacon (quite a tradition now) and Stuart heat up a big pot of Irish stew.
The last stretch was short and windy, down the new cut which links the River Waveney to Oulton Broad and across the water to our landing at the boat club. Tim and Sue wisely made use of a sail for the last leg, while Elaine hitched a lift on Gavin’s kayak which Paul was towing (and finding very heavy for some reason!). We arrived at Oulton tired and windswept, ready to head home for a hot bath. Never again will I use those encouraging words “It’s just around the bend” – I would not dare...
The Trip from Ranworth to Salhouse Broad started under a heavy grey sky. It looked ominous but Paul assured that the forecast was for “patchy” rain and so we put our trust in him and set off on a fairly long paddle upriver past Horning and on towards Hoveton Broad. Beatrice was with us and soon found that gloves are an essential itrem on winter trips. Various people obliged, including Sally who always seems to have lots of gear stowed away in her kayak – something for all the family and more! Chris was paddling his sleek old wooden kayak, beautifully restored.
As we passed Horning we took in the riverside architecture – a variety of holiday chalets alongside the river, some luxurious, some tacky, some downright ridiculous – built as mini windmills or with rather too many garden ornaments. The Indian geese in one garden were very interested in us and waddled alongside excited by our presence. We ran into a sailing race at Horning and dodged the boats taking from one side of the river to the other. The clouds lowered and the patter of rain on the water increased. We started to feel hungry, cold and tired (but not once did I say, “it’s just around the bend”!)
We found a lovely beach to land on at Salhouse Broad and pulled the canoes and kayaks up onto the sand. However the rain came down more heavily and we had lunch under a leafless tree, which we vainly hoped would give us some shelter. The culinary skills of the club are definitely admired, cooked lunches are becoming the norm... goodbye soggy sandwiches!
After a rather rapid lunch, we got back into the kayaks for the return leg. At this point the rain started to pour down and we all looked to Paul for a word of encouragement. “I think its easing off a bit!” he pronounced. Let the words haunt him, because at this point the heavens opened and it became a deluge. We limped back to Ranworth with frozen hands and rain trickling down our necks. But hey ho! We had a good paddle, sumptuous lunch (some of us), lots of friendly chatter and a memorable day out.