Corfyn on the upper tidal Blyth

Paddled from Blythburgh Bridge, launching by the A12, up to Blyford Bridge and back down. Upstream with the last of the flood tide against a brisk westerly breeze then back down with the ebb and a tail wind. Fantastic paddle, hot and sunny.

Launch point with the last of the flood tide still pouring up under the rather busy A12:

The first section was open with a decent fringe of reeds which kept some of the wind off and the last of the flood tide helped:

Working upstream the river became narrower, much more sheltered and somewhat obstructed. The flood had finished by now and the ebb just begun so it was safe to squeeze under. Lying down in the boat to do so!

Just emerging on the upstream side, looking back at the squeeze. This was HW on a 5.12m tide at Walberswick. Another 40cm and it would have needed a wait or a portage:

At HW the flow of the (very dry!) Blyth drops in to a foot or so of water rather than on to flat concrete:

The river above is quite different from the tidal section:

Looking downstream from under Blyford Bridge. Time to head back:

At times this upper section got quite narrow:

But there were lots of cattle for company: