It was a dull grey Sunday morning when I left Richard with our sea kayaks and gear at Conham River Park. I then drove to Portishead to meet Wayne and leave my car there. Now time to whizz back to Bristol to find Richard lurking in his drysuit. We are a strange lot at times.

We all loaded our boats and were afloat by 10.30. There was no rush as high tide was around 11.30. The plan was to get to Netham Weir at high water to make it easier to shoot. As the river level was fairly high it wasn't going to take long. We cruised the 1 ½ miles to the weir in next to no time. There was still a small drop at the weir but plenty of water going over the ledge. I was first over, a short burst of speed and in a flash it is all over. We are now into the tidal section of the Avon.

We wind our way through St. Philip's Marsh, residential to our left and commercial properties to our right. Then past Temple Meads under the various bridges. The tide has turned at this point and giving us a little extra push. After the 2 mile canalised section after Temple Meads we pass under the Avon Bridge with the Clifton Suspension Bridge high up in front of us. It is quite daunting looking up at the bridge whilst drifting underneath it.

From here the river meanders north-westerly and widens out. With the tide ebbing the glorious mud is now becoming exposed.

Lunch time was approaching and Wayne has chosen an idyllic spot in Sea Mills where the River Trym joins the Avon. Here according to Wayne was the site of an old Roman harbour. We climbed out of our kayaks and through the mud onto the bank. Whilst devouring our food the water level was dropping rapidly. Only to mean one thing more mud to wade through to get the boats afloat.

From our lunch stop you can get a real feel for the for the river flow as the Avon speeds past the mouth of the Trym. We make our way out into the flow and head downstream.

A couple of long sweeping bends and the Avonmouth (M5) Bridge dominate the sky. A quick nose into Pill and the off towards open water. As we near the end of the Avon a small boat comes past, the only one we have seen on the water all day. Now into the Severn estuary to pick up the current all 4 ½ mph of it, and head to Portishead point. The Severn is as flat as it could possible get if only we had the sunshine to go with it. This is where Richard and I finish. Wayne, Bob and Mike disappear down to Clevedon where their car is parked.

Conham to Portishead - 16 miles
Paddling time 3hrs
Average speed 5mph
Top speed 10.5mph

Paddlers :- Wayne Gibbens, Bob Hindle, Mike Bradley, Richard Bennett & Ralph Childs.

Thanks to Wayne for organising the paddle. Trips like this are good practice and fairly easy. Come on out and have a go at sea paddling.

Ralph