Canoe Ride on the River Bure from Coltishall to Belaugh and beyond.

We were on the river early, well earlier than we were booked in for at least. Parking spaces looked at a premium at Coltishall on the River Bure, west of Wroxham, in the English county of Norfolk, within the Norfolk Broads.

We are setting off from the 'Rising Sun' Public House nestled on the edge of the beautiful River Bure, next door to Coltishall Common.Coltishall is a wonderful Norfolk village with many local amenities in a picturesque rural setting. The River Bure flowing through is a gently meandering river, with lots of peaceful corners to explore. As Coltishall is the highest navigable point to motor traffic, it is a relatively quiet stretch of river as few venture up this far. 

The river narrows as you head further upstream, making wildlife sightings on or around the banks regular.Safely kitted out with our life jackets we were about to set off in the 2 man canoe 40 minutes ahead of our start time. Giving us a little more than the 2 hours than we had booked for. Thoughts of reaching Wroxham were soon dispelled by the Canoe owner, saying 'you won't get that far'. I do like a challenge!

A little bit tricky getting into the canoe but we were soon off downstream keeping to the right hand side. (Starboard). 

It took a few minutes to get an understanding going, we had a few close encounters with the riverbank lets just say. 

It was already quite busy on the water with other canoes, paddle boarders, kayaks and powered boats. It was lovely to see the other side of the houses where we walked yesterday as far as the small village of Belaugh pronounced (Bee-la).  

It was very hot already, forecast to hit around 28 degrees. So very refreshing to be on the water and feel the cooling ripples on our hands.   

 Some of the riverside properties were really beautiful and had their own mooring places.

Rising above the trees is the Church of St Peter at Belaugh. We walked to the church on our first day and went inside. Located at the top of a steep slope it was built in the 14th Century. 

A young John Betjeman on a boating holiday with his parents looked up and was astonished by it. 'The first time I ever fell in love' he would later recall. The start of a lifelong love affair with churches.

According to information displayed in the church of St Peter Belaugh, in 1695 Richard Slater - a servant at the village's rectory - stole money and jewels from the church and buried them in the rectory garden. When he later returned to dig up the stash, he was discovered by the rector. In the scuffle that followed, the thief drowned in the river. He is supposed to rise up nightly to recover the money, only to be forced down again by the weight of the stolen loot. 

 

It's very difficult to take a photo while trying to paddle and steer the canoe at the same time. As soon as you put the oars down the canoe drifts rapidly towards the bank.  I think any plans of reaching Wroxham have now been abandoned. Looking at the time it is a good idea to turn round and make our way back towards Coltishall. It is a lot harder going back up stream as well!

Plenty of wildlife on the River Bure including these Egyptian Geese pictured. Closely related to Shelducks they are quite common in East Anglia. As you would expect they breed widely in Africa in the Nile Valley and south of the Sahara. 

A few Swans, Moorhens and Coots too. The highlight though was probably the Grassnake  that weaved its way across the water before disappearing into the weeds.   

The River Bure is the longest, and in places the busiest, of the Norfolk Broads Rivers. The Bure rises near Aylsham which was the original head of navigation. Nowadays, the head of navigation is 10 miles downstream at Coltishall Bridge. After Aylsham Lock and Burgh Bridge, the River Bure passes through Buxton Lamas, Coltishall, Belaugh, Wroxham Horning, past St. Benets Abbey, Acle, Stokesby, along the northern border of the Halvergate Marshes, through Runham and Great Yarmouth where it meets Breydon Water and flows into the sea at Gorleston.

After 2 and a half hours in the canoe and some 5.5 miles covered we return to the start point at The Rising Sun Coltishall. A pint of Adnams Ghost Ship went down extremely well! As did it's follow up from the local 'Wolf Brewery' near Attleborough. 'Golden Jackal 3.7% being the brew in question. 

A great  trip and now off to Hornsey!