Our final day at Barton Turf Adventure Centre began slightly cloudier and many, apart from some who left the previous day, were readying themselves for the return journey home.
On quizzing folk to see who was up for a paddle it transpired that just Nick and I still wanted more!
We decided to take a trip up the lower section of the Walsham and Dilham Canal up to Honing Lock. This is one we have done many times before but there are changes going on up there and we like to keep an eye on developments. We made our way to the put in and prepared for the off whilst Angelica took a picture of us both that you can see on Nick's page.
We stopped for a leg stretch and coffee at Wayford Bridge.
Whilst there a swan took a keen interest in us (I think they may be used to getting fed here).
We were soon on our way again passing holiday cabins on our right. Then onto the privately owned section of the Canal for which there is a £4 toll payable to an honesty box further up. (We later found the box had been vandalised and left without a padlock but we left our change in any case.)
We passed beautiful wooded banks out into calm open water.
Part way up used to be a meandering section that was deep enough to paddle but quite narrow in places. It is now wider, less sheltered and not quite as deep especially in low water with camping pods to the left.
Nick stopped to point out a marsh harrier, we saw a few over the course of the weekend. Sadly too far away for a good picture.
Then we continued through a reedy bit to the final wooded section before the lock.
At the lock the water was low so we got out on the left before we reached it where the water was a little deeper.
There is a new information board at the top end of the lock where we had our lunch.
Once re-fuelled we set off through the lovely wooded section again.
and when we got to the bridge a flock of swans were enjoying the delights of this fabulous waterway too.
and we paddled on back to base through the last wooded section.
The weekend was over but it had been a real cracker. Great people fabulous trips and unusually for a bank holiday, the weather to match.
Happy Paddling!
Alick