First Canoe Trip of 2018

Hard to believe that it is a mid May and we have not had our canoe's out once yet this year. Anyway today we had no football and the weather was reasonable so Brandon and Josh both suggested we went canoeing. We kind of figured why not given that we are going to be away for the next 3 weekends which would mean no canoeing until June!!! So with the car loaded we headed off to our usual Boreham bridge and then rowed the 0.75 miles up to Papermill Lock.

 

To be honest we would have preferred going the town end of the Chelmer rather than Papermill Lock as we desperately needed to go in to the town to pick up some bits for on holiday in a few weeks time. But Brandon always has an ulterior motive when going to Papermill Lock - its called their "chocolate cake". Anyway we had a beautiful, peaceful and relaxing row where we leisurely meandered down the river spotting loads of wildlife. We saw lots of bird life and a few fishes and even found and abandoned duck or swan nest which had 4 eggs in it.

 

Once we got to Papermill Lock we had a picnic followed by a nice coffee whilst the kiddies tucked in to their chocolate cake. Then it was time to pack up the boats and head in to town for a bit of holiday shopping.

 

First trip out for 2018 - looks like the boys have grown and the life jackets are looking a bit small.

 

Touch wood no punctures this year and all 3 canoe's have survived being packed away all winter.

All 3 canoe's rafting up.



Holly still teams up with me and she is way too young for her own boat - although she was asking today!

Thumbs up from Brandon.

Joshua sitting back and chilling as we had a real leisurely row.

Hardly any current today and lovely calm water.

Great shot of Joshua with some river plants in front of him.

Then Brandon's turn.

Finally time for me and Holly to get amongst the plants and lily pads.

Quality time with my little ones out in the great outdoors and with no PS4's or IPADS in view.

The abandoned nest that Joshua spotted with 4 duck or swan eggs inside.

Maybe this swan was heading back to the nest.

And after all that activity the reward at the end is the Papermill Lock chocolate cake.