Sussex Ouse — 26th April

After two months of sunshine and drought, the forecast was for rain relieved by periods of drizzle. Not surprisingly, only one member, apart from organisers Liz Baker and Len Wingfield, turned up — Andrew Bien. Andrew brought his superb Canadian canoe* and Liz and Len had kayaks. The rain stopped as we launched off the muddy bank at Piddinghoe, to be assisted up river by the strong flood stream and following wind. The Ouse riverbanks were quite attractive with a good range of bird life, and Lewes waterfront with its old warehouses were well worth seeing. At Hamsey we followed the meander rather than the straight cut, and went over the weir with the flood. Len had a very brief glimpse of an otter and Liz later confirmed that otters were indeed in that area. At 1600 the turning tide prevented us reaching the tidal limit at Barcombe House and we stopped for a much delayed lunch. Returning, we had the fresh breeze against us and much lower water levels. It was now too risky to shoot the weir without knowing the depth of water so a short portage was made. By the time we reached Piddinghoe, it was nearing low water and a steep and very slippery mudbank had to be scaled — something like mountaineering without ice axe or crampons.

Verdict: The Sussex Ouse is attractive. Launching at Piddinghoe with a light boat it could be sailed for perhaps two hours either side of high water; recovering by getting a line ashore by means of the derelict half-tide jetty. Above Lewes the tidal river is best regarded as a canoeing stream. Launching a canoe at Lewes should be possible if the car parking problems are resolved.

Supplied by ‘Mad River Canoes’, but in fact a very sensible as well as elegant design; using both GRP moulding and wooden trim to best advantage.