Canoeing at Papermill

With temperatures this past weekend soaring to over 25 degrees I had two options. Option 1 : carry on with the decking extnesion in the garden, or Option 2 : go to Papermill Lock for our first canoeing trip of 2016. It was a no brainer for me and of course I opted for the later.

 

Before heading over to the Lock the boys wanted to do the Park Run again and we met up with two of their football buddies, Ellis and Max. Ellis is a year older than Brandon but pretty much similar in stature. The two of them had a blinding race and pushed each other all the way to the very end. Ellis is a great little runner and he paced Brandon to a massive PB of 9:02, knocking 40 seconds off of his previous best and smashing Joshua's PB of 9:39.

 

After the Park Run we headed off and set-up our canoe by the usual bridge near the triathlon lake which is about a mile away from Papermill Lock. Me and the kiddies then row up to the Lock whilst Tina takes the car and finds a parking space. For the first time, Holly came with us on the row up to the Lock. She has been on the canoe before, but only messing around by the Lock, never the long row there. She was such a good little girl and sat still really nicely just enjoying getting the odd cooling splash and watching all the dogs and birds etc.

 

Once at the Lock we had a nice picnic followed by a special cake from the Tea Rooms. Then we just messed around in the canoe around the Lock area. The two boys were also enjoying having a good swim in the cool Chelmer water and even Holly was having a little splash in the water to cool her feet and legs. Holly was also learning how to use an oar and she was also enjoying leaning over the edge of the boat to get her hands wet and then wipe her face with the cold water to cool herself down.

 

Brandon, me and Holly enjoying some time out on the canoe at Papermill Lock.

 

Holly seemed to get the hang of what you need to do with the oars.

 

Holly helping her Daddy row the boat and also enjoying doing some rock-rock-rock the boat from side to side.

 

Lovely picture of me and H.

 

Joshua being flash and standing in the canoe, about 2 seconds before falling overboard!

 

Holly looking very dashing in a summer dress, life jacket and her Minnie Mouse sun glasses.

 

A very wet Brandon after jumping in and our of the river Chelmer to keep himself cool.

 

Holly and Tina chilling at the side of the Lock.

 

Joshua and Brandon jumping in the river.

 

Its not the clearest of water, but it is relative safe, minimal currents and nice and cool on a hot day.

 

Joshua enjoying the water.

 

Double trouble. Surprised Brandon was jumping fully in the water as normally its too cold for him and usually leaves it to Joshua.