A. The start point is reached by crossing to the south side of the town via the oldest bridge, turning left, and carrying on heading outwards until reaching a parking sign for Spittal Point down Sandstell Road. Launching is on to sand immediately from the car park.

B. The conditions of the river and sea here will inform you about the trip – in high winds, waves will be driving in from the open sea.

C. There are two other possible launch points, each with problems – further inland at Tweedmouth is launching off seaweed-covered rocks, and below the Berwick town walls at the seaward end, is a sea level road, but again mud makes life difficult.

D. The trip should be undertaken using high tide. Setting off from Spittal about an hour before high tide would bring the paddler nicely up to West Ord at slack tide, and the ebb can then be used to turn back to Spittal. The river is tidal for about a mile above your inland destination, ending at Union Bridge near to Horncliffe.

E. Your trip will all be in England, the Scottish northern bank commencing at West Ord.

F. Leaving Spittal gives a great view of the layout of Berwick as a town, the red pantile roofs being obvious. This was as a result of the considerable Dutch and German trade with the east coast of both England and Scotland, and the tiles being imported in exchange for other goods.

G. On the left bank, Tweedmouth is a bit industrial, but it does not last long. As you will be on the water at near to high tide, keep an eye out for ships coming in or out.

H. You pass under the original old road bridge, then the more modern one. The river narrows and turns to the left and after the railway bridge are sand or mud banks on both sides, so keep to the centre of the river, and do not proceed up the channel on your left, Yarrow Slake, which is a dead end!

I. The town is left behind, the river continues to bend to the left, and the new A1 Bridge comes into sight, looking like many a modern motorway bridge.

J. Immediately after the bridge Whiteadder Water (pronounced ‘Whitadder’) joins on the right (north) side as you paddle up. This is a lovely little whitewater river, tumbling down from Border hills, and a delight in high water.

K. Houses and farms are on both banks, and in summer this is a very green and rich farming area, and very quiet. On the right side a couple of long island's signal the end of your outward trip. West Ord house is high on the left bank, but will be hidden in summer by trees.

L. It is possible to paddle a bit further up to Paxton House on the north bank, and walk through the grounds to a café, but no egress by vehicle here.

M. Turn and retrace your journey back to your start point