I am planning a trip on the River Cuckmere on Sunday 28th October.
Please note this is the Sunday after the clocks have gone back to GMT.
Timetable is as follows.
Meet at boathouse at 8:00 to load boats
Leave by 8:30
Drive the 66 miles (A21) or 80 miles (M25/M23) depending on route taken to Seven Sisters Country Park Car Park, East Dean Road (A259), Exceat, Nr Seaford, BN25 4AD to arrive by 10:00.
Parking fee is £4 for full day, please bring exact coins.
Toilets are across road.
Launch by 10:30
Paddle the 5 miles with tide to Alfriston weir arriving about 13:00
Eat packed lunch whilst tide changes.
14:00 launch and return to Exceat by 16:00
Leave by 16:30.
Return to boathouse by 18:30.
Tides for day at Cuckmere Haven.
LW 7:12
HW : 13:00
LW 19:34
Photos from last year's trip at:-
viewtopic.php?f=4&t=1589
If you are using club equipment, please book it out at:-
viewtopic.php?f=39&t=1629
Paddlers should be of a 2* standard.
This is a joint trip with our friends from Maidstone and Bewl Water Canoe Clubs.
Will be at the boathouse on Saturday to answer any questions you may have.
River Cuckmere Sunday 28th October 2018
Re: River Cuckmere Sunday 28th October 2018
Julia, Sandrine, Sandie, Phil and myself were joined by Steve and Jon from Bewl Water CC.
Weather forecast was heavy overnight rain with showers in the morning followed by sunny spells in the afternoon.
We received the heavy rain on route to Exceat wondering if that would be it for the day?
Launched into the Ox Bow lake to take us to the Cuckmere.
After a short paddle it was time to launch from the levee into the Cuckmere.
Bewl Water's Steve had plenty of 'original' ideas how to do things..
Once on the Cuckmere we faced a strong North Easterly wind, which at times cancelled out the tide beneath us.
Although in a steep valley, there wasn't much shelter from the wind.
Jon in the open did very well paddling into the wind.
As we progressed towards Alfriston the river narrowed in width to a canal...
...then into a stream.
And at times like paddling on a lawn.
Reached Alfriston Weir to have lunch and waited for the tide to turn.
With the return trip we now had both the wind and tide behind us but was blinded at times by the Sun.
Meanwhile, Steve was still trying out another of his original ideas of launching....
Not only had the wind and tide behind us, the river had flooded to turn the streams and canals into a river easily paddled.
Finally returned to the levee and Steve had his final original idea of the day of how to get both himself and boat out..
Unfortunately only half worked!
It was only Steve who got out and his boat was left to the wind and tide...
..with Julia trapping the boat and doing a contact tow back to the shore.
It did attempt to rain but never succeeded but the wind was the determining factor of the day making paddling 'eventful' at times.
The is the final touring trip this year.
However I hope to organise a Medway trip in three parts (Tonbridge to Yalding, Yalding to Teston and Teston to Allington Lock) early next year.
If you are interested, I will be at the lake most Saturdays to answer any questions you may have.
Weather forecast was heavy overnight rain with showers in the morning followed by sunny spells in the afternoon.
We received the heavy rain on route to Exceat wondering if that would be it for the day?
Launched into the Ox Bow lake to take us to the Cuckmere.
After a short paddle it was time to launch from the levee into the Cuckmere.
Bewl Water's Steve had plenty of 'original' ideas how to do things..
Once on the Cuckmere we faced a strong North Easterly wind, which at times cancelled out the tide beneath us.
Although in a steep valley, there wasn't much shelter from the wind.
Jon in the open did very well paddling into the wind.
As we progressed towards Alfriston the river narrowed in width to a canal...
...then into a stream.
And at times like paddling on a lawn.
Reached Alfriston Weir to have lunch and waited for the tide to turn.
With the return trip we now had both the wind and tide behind us but was blinded at times by the Sun.
Meanwhile, Steve was still trying out another of his original ideas of launching....
Not only had the wind and tide behind us, the river had flooded to turn the streams and canals into a river easily paddled.
Finally returned to the levee and Steve had his final original idea of the day of how to get both himself and boat out..
Unfortunately only half worked!
It was only Steve who got out and his boat was left to the wind and tide...
..with Julia trapping the boat and doing a contact tow back to the shore.
It did attempt to rain but never succeeded but the wind was the determining factor of the day making paddling 'eventful' at times.
The is the final touring trip this year.
However I hope to organise a Medway trip in three parts (Tonbridge to Yalding, Yalding to Teston and Teston to Allington Lock) early next year.
If you are interested, I will be at the lake most Saturdays to answer any questions you may have.