(Check the wind & do it the other way around if necessary, it can get a little hairy in winter fighting a stiff westerly wind across Hickling Broad, on the way back)

Give old Harry a pound at Hickling staithe to ‘put in’ and within a few minutes you are paddling across the largest of the Norfolk broads,  water traffic is restricted on this run because many boats have a problem getting under Potter Heigham bridge. Canoeists can use the whole broad and not just the navigation channel so there’s plenty of room to get a feel for this striking piece of water. Paddle up  the broad the  and enjoy the unimpaired views of one of Norfolk’s wildest places. The sky is vast, if you lay down you can easily perceive the curvature of the earth, and when you sit up again you are immediately  transformed into the most zealous ‘flat earther’, wierd. You’ll have time for a good look around, wildlife abounds, myriad species of water fowl and  excellent views of Marsh Harriers quartering the reed any time of year.  Winter will bring the better chance of a Bittern over from Holland, on an unforgettable day you might see a handful of those elusive Cranes if you stay out until the ‘bitter end’. In summer keep to the reed margins & try to distinguish  between the warbler songs,  Chetti’s and Grasshopper warblers have distinct song, others are much harder. You may here a Chinese water dear crashing through  unseen , I’ve even seen Red deer on the firmer ground.
When you reach the end of the broad to the calmer waters of Deep dyke where ,in June, you may be lucky & see the spectacular Swallowtail butterflies  just paddle on regardless, past White Slea and on to Heigham Sound. Then gently drift over to the left where it’s quite shallow, your paddle could easily submerge into the oozing mud, but who cares you’re having a ‘making it all worthwhile’ day in one of the most beautiful places in East Anglia! Paddle up Meadow dyke, (the route to Horsey Mere) and stop for a brew up, there’s some good spots, you may not  need the rest, but why miss the chance to get out, stretch yourself & look over those swishing swaying reeds to Horsey mill
There’s always something to see or hear so just stop and  breathe it all in. After your pulse has slowed down & you are sliding out of ‘why the hell do I do this damn  job every day’ and into ‘man, hey, this is just perfect’. Hop back in and paddle on to Horsey mere, explore, glide into waxham cut on the far side (where the water runs an 'ochra'
orange because of natural substances in the soil) or just go right across the middle heading for the mill, to Horse Mere staithe., where you can get out & have an ice cream, look at the mill, or take the walk around the nature trail. Well, now you’ve got to the end of a great little trip, all there is to do,  is to paddle back in the direction of the setting sun  & treat yourself the whole magical experience in reverse.
Hope you enjoyed it.

Even see kingfishers down here, occasionally !!

Wilds of Norfolk was set up because of our unquenchable enthusiasm for the Norfolk Broads,  our small part of the natural world. We thought we'd like to try and give something back by helping other people enjoy the countryside and it's wildlife as well as do our own little bit to promote an interest in the natural world and it's conservation , not only for the wildlife but for the sheer exuberance of the precious life we're lucky enough to get the chance to live.

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