Moving down the
coast we spotted a few natural landing
spots, perfect for a secluded picnic, if it
wasn’t for the odd tyre track there’s no
sign of humanity for several miles. The
exception comes halfway along our sea
route. Wrabness is a private beach lined
by oversized beach huts on stilts, it’s a
pity it’s so hard to reach by road, as this is
the only exit point that works in all states
of tide.
Our final destination of the day may be
just over five miles and yet it seems to be
quickly looming over the horizon, paddle
as we may it never seemed to get any
closer, just bigger. What our eyes had
focused on wasn’t Harwich but the
neighbouring dock of Felixstowe, which
was further than we needed to go. While
this backdrop was in stark contrast to Le
Tallbooth, it seemed quite fitting that at
the end of our industrious day, the UK’s
busiest port would watch over us as we
pulled into Harwich’s little harbour and
our home for the evening: The Pier.
It wasn’t long before the boards were
stowed and the team were recounting
their favourite moments of the day’s
journey with a few drinks on the balcony.
For tomorrow, we could retrace our paddle
strokes back to whence we came.
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We had travelled 18 miles to get here and
while our waterproof backpacks afforded us
a few essentials and provisions we clearly
didn’t have the luxury of a wash bag or
room for the ladies suitcases, but as with all
good adventures there was a little more
planning than guesswork. Actually, the
Milsom Hotels did all the planning, so our
bags had arrived long before us. Truth be
told, this trip and its return is not for
everyone but that’s the beauty of this route.
As an avid SUPer, Paul Milsom knows well
that not every SUP on the river should be a
boot camp from A to B. As much pleasure
can come from a leisurely saunter,
stopping to soak up the atmosphere or
discovering the sights beyond the confines
of the river, and he just happens to have a
unique collection of hotels and restaurants
that shine a path along our route like
diamonds in a tray of soot.
Tide, time and weather have their
influences and the midday tide works
well for the return trip, however, many a
time it could be the opposite! There’s a lot
to be said for catching the early bird tide
from Harwich for a one-way trip. Timing
would work out perfectly to take in a
swim or be pampered in the spa before
rounding off the day back at La Talbooth
for some fine dining in the knowledge
that tomorrow is just a Sunday saunter.