Holly's First CanoeingTrip to Papermill Lock

Bank holiday Monday and the first day of the year that myself and the boys have had to use some sun cream. The sun was out and temperatures hitting near 20 degrees so we decided to head over to Papermill Lock for our first canoeing trip of 2015. We are somewhat late getting our boat into the water this year predominantly because we had to buy Joshua and new wetsuit and life jacket as he had outgrown his old ones. As usual Tina dropped me and the boys off at a bridge about 3/4 mile up from the Lock and then we rowed down whilst her and Holly too the car. Brandon was happy as he got to use his new double ore for the first time.

 

Me and the boys launch out boat about 3/4's of a mile up rive from the Lock.

Joshua took the front seat, me in the middle and Brandon at the back. We were completely out of sink with our rowing and thus lots of ore banging going on!

As usual the Chelmer looked beautiful and peaceful with very few other boats out there today.

Brandon proudly shows his new ore.

Once we got to Papermill Lock it was time to have a rest and a nice picnic lunch.

Little B enjoying his sandwich and refuelling ready for our next row.

We also managed to get a small wetsuit and life jacket that fits Holly, so after her lunchtime nap it was her time to get suited and booted ready for some rowing. I have to say she absolutely looked the part in her wetsuit. You've got to love her little pink aqua shoes as well. Initially Holly was more interested in trying t climb out of the boat and go swimming that she was with sitting down and rowing. But we then let her hold an ore and dip it in the water which seemed to keep her occupied.

 



After lunch it was time to get Holly into her wet suit and life jacket for her first trip out on the boat. Love the shoes.

 

Holly all dressed up and ready to hit the waterways.

OK so its only a 3 seater boat but Holly seemed fine to sit on my lap as me and all 3 kiddies went out for a row on the Chelmer.

And we are off........

 

 

Holly looks more interested in going for a swim rather than a row.

How lovely is this to spend quality time with all my kiddies out on our boat.

Holly seemed to really enjoy her first boating experience.

 

Holly sitting with Mummy and feeding the swans and ducks some bread.

Holly showing us her good throwing arm with the bread.

No trip to Papermill Lock is complete without a visit to the tea rooms. Being bank holiday Monday and a nice day the queue was extending right outside the cafe, but the cake is soooo good that it is well worth the wait. Brandon chose some very sickly chocolate cake and Joshua chose the most scrummy carrot cake.

 

Tea room cake time, yum, yum.

Brandon wearing his flat hat and enjoying somr chocolate cake.

 

 

As we were packing up the boat we noticed a mean looking 1932 Ford hotrod in the car park. Brandon noticed the Ford badge on the car and he also knows that I get Ford cars through work as part of my job. As he fell in love with this car he was asking if I could order one of these as my next management roll car!!!! Then he realised it was only 2 seats.

 

As we were packing everything up we notice this 1932 Ford hotrod in the car park.

Brandon was impressed with the engine.