What they say of the River Stour:
"One of the most scenic corners of Essex is its border with Suffolk, formed by the art-inspiring River Stour.
The beauty of the River Stour and its valley has long attracted artists, not least John Constable, whose paintings gave the area its ‘Constable Country’ sobriquet. This slice of Essex and Suffolk countryside, with its mills, vineyards and walking trails, continues to inspire to this day."
"Frequently a stretch would open out with bullrushes standing up on either side, below whispering aspens. The way was clogged with waterlilies in full bloom: buttercup-coloured buds the size of small fists, and open petals like dishes, lying on flat floating leaves. The water itself was clear and waving with green cabbage-like undergrowth that ceaselessly, yearningly, writhed in the current. I could see right down to a river bottom reflecting sunlight off mother-of-pearl freshwater mussel shells".
"“Still I should paint my own places best; painting is with me but another word for feeling, and I associate ‘my careless boyhood’ with all that lies on the banks of the Stour; those scenes made me a painter, and I am grateful.”
National Geographic Traveller UK
(October 2023)
Griff Rhys Jones, on paddling The Stour in 'Rivers' (p277)
John Constable R.A.
(1776 - 1837)
BIO
I'm Gordon, a lover of anything outdoors and a keen paddler and wild camper, I've adventured in some of most spectacular places in the world. But my heart is very much with my home water of the Essex & Suffolk River Stour. I'm privileged to have paddled more than most for myself, with friends & family and
of course with the thousands of clients who have travelled from near and far to explore with our adventurous activities company over the last ten years. It is with that experience, the thousands of hours spent in, on and by the Stour that I am prompted to write this book and share the glory of 'your Stooer, our Stower' (!) with all who do and will love her.