Our paddlers take their first bite of the Stour at the Le Talbooth, just a
short two-minute drive by a Range Rover and all part of the Milsom hotels.
This is a stunning way to enter the river; the water is crystal clear without
much noticeable flow most days. It’s hard not to amble along and take in
the vista, though look down with polarised glasses and it feels like you’re
gliding across treetops as the water is so glassy.
If this were a lazy Sunday afternoon paddle, we’d be stopping for tea at
our first mile. The reflections of Dedham Mill on the water suck you in,
once up to the buildings you realise you can’t pass the mill without
backtracking 30 metres to the exit point and walking around.
Once off your board and time allowing, the Boat House makes a welcome
stop any time of day, though for us our first rest is another mile and a half
further along. This section between Dedham and Flatford Mill is by far the
most popular. More open to the elements, every twist of the river opens to
another stunning yet different view. Canoes, kayaks and rowing boats are
never out of sight, the latter more often than not seeming to be piloted by
the uncoordinated, or back seat drivers. Either way their trial and
tribulations will enlighten your journey.
Stopping at Flatford Mill felt compulsory, we are British after all – tea and cake
anyone? Clearly a very popular spot and while I’m sure they’ve seen plenty of
SUPs pass by we did seem to bring an air of amusement to onlookers.
Life seems to have sped up since Constable’s time, but somehow the slowgoing pace of life of his day still appears to still have a foothold in Flatford,
and to be honest we could have sat on the bank soaking up the atmosphere
but as they say, “Tide and time wait for no man,” let alone SUPers.
We still needed to wind our way along another four miles to Cattawade
before we could switch to the sea. Our third leg of the river changes again,
like the first, you’re all alone, though this time the foliage encroaches
more, making green tunnels to guide you along your way.