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<\/a><\/p>\n <\/p>\n The tides in the Bristol Channel need respecting. I decided to paddle the Minehead to Bristol section in one day to save having to traipse through lots of mud.<\/p>\n Up the Avon and along the Kennet and Avon Canal. I learnt that river locks are much more formidable obstacles than canal locks, which don\u2019t need to cater for large changes in water level. My KCS wheels were indispensable. It was a nice change to see all that greenery.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n There’s plenty to look at on the banks of the Thames, especially past Henley. I was advised against camping in central London so I did the stretch from Stains to Gravesend in one session. Whizzing past London Bridge, the Tower and the Houses of Parliament on a fast ebbing tide, while dodging the Uber catamarans was pure joy.<\/p>\n I managed to take in the Maunsell Sea Forts off Herne Bay, felt a long way from home when I stopped for lunch in Sandwich Bay and got a personal escort boat through Dover Harbour, all good fun.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n This was not in the plan, but on hearing about it, I decided it was preferable to going round Dungeness. It is not officially a navigation and clogged with weeds for miles on end, but it’s not everyday you have an entire canal to yourself. After crossing from the Needles to Swanage I finally reached the less highly populated beauty of the Dorset Coast. The Swanage to Kimmeridge section felt very exposed, beautiful though. I was glad when I pulled into the protection of West Bay harbor after the long crossing from Portland Bill.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n I particularly enjoyed this section which was new to me, especially the stretch between Beer to Budleigh Salterton.<\/p>\n Lots of variety, lonely stretches of exposed cliffs, long shingle banks and tranquil stop offs at Dartmouth, Salcombe and Newton Ferres.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n I loved getting back to Cornwall. Blessed with bright sunshine and light winds, I was able to relax going around the Lizard and Lands End and had my best ever opportunity to explore the North Coast up close.<\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\nLundy to Bristol (110 miles)<\/h5>\n
<\/a><\/p>\nBristol to Reading (110 miles)<\/h5>\n
<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\nReading to Gravesend (115 miles)<\/h5>\n
<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\nGravesend to Hythe (110 miles)<\/h5>\n
<\/a><\/p>\nRoyal Military Canal (25 miles)<\/h5>\n
\nRye to Isle of Wight (120 miles) Probably the most heavily populated part of the British coastline with huge stretches of shingle beach. Passing by the Seven Sisters was the highlight.<\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\nIsle of Wight to Bridport (75 miles)<\/h5>\n
<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\nBridport to Exmouth (50 miles)<\/h5>\n
<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\nExmouth to Plymouth (80 miles)<\/h5>\n
<\/a><\/p>\nPlymouth to Newquay (160 miles)<\/h5>\n
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