A.Your launch point in Bridgnorth is upstream of the road bridge (the one in the town, not the new by-pass bridge south of the town). Approaching from the north, the Telford direction, on the east side of the Severn, the large riverside park is fairly obvious, with plenty of parking. A ramp leads down to the river. On summer weekends, this area can be very busy.

B .If the passage under the bridge in the town is shallow and a scrape, the river is low. The Severn often floods dramatically in the winter.

C. The start through Bridgnorth is great, with a fast current through the bridge. You’re soon out into the countryside, although the main road down to Kidderminster will be following on the left side.

D. On the right bank, the noise and clouds of steam on the right bank will be the Severn Valley Railway, also well worth a ride on. For most of the year coarse angling will be carried on in any weather.

E. The bypass bridge is over you after a half mile before the river bends to the left towards the village of Quatford, on the A442. Caravans and chalets abound on the banks.

F. A bend to the right takes the river over towards the railway, and the hamlet of Lower Forge.

G. Chelmarsh Reservoir is high on the right bank, and invisible. You’re now approaching Hampton Loade, which is a useful halfway stopping point. The Lion Inn is on the left bank, and a campsite on the right bank. A small passenger ferry crosses the river during summer; useful for late night drinkers from the campsite!

H. All these Severn Valley villages become very crowded on weekends of good weather in the summer. Paddling in higher water in spring or summer might be a good idea.

I. After the village peace returns, with the railway close on the right bank - great for steam train photography.

J. The next village is Highley, on the right side, a former coal-mining village, and a remnant of the Shropshire coalfield to the north, which is obvious from the brick terraced cottages. There is a pub here, for those with the energy to climb the steep bank.

K. The banks become a little lower, as the Severn approaches Upper Arley via a corridor of leafy trees on both banks.

L . On a busy weekend, the large field used for a car park announces the village coming up, on the left side, and eventually the metal footbridge becomes visible. This replaced the car ferry which plied its trade over the river during the 1950s and 60s. The former ferry ramps are very convenient for canoeists to land on, and on most days, the empty boats signal that the occupants are either shopping for ice cream at the village shop, or in a pub!