Green Paddle Boarding

Last Saturday Joshua was off on a 48 hour fishing trip at Chigborough and Tina was sleeping through the day as she was on nights. So Holly and Brandon nagged me to take them out paddle boarding and we had an absolutely lovely day. Initially I wasn't too keen on going as I had a lot to get done and the paddle boarding can be quiet hard work with just me and the kids. But Brandon and Holly were so well behaved and so helpful all day that it was an absolute pleasure and thoroughly enjoyable out on the river.

The Chelmer was actually surprisingly quiet despite the glorious weather, but what was more surprising was the amount of algae on the surface of the water. I have never seen anything like it. At times it was so thick it looked like the river had been filled in with astro turf and your could run across it. It actually made it very picturesque and made some interesting snail trails patterns as you paddle boarded through it.

Of course we stopped off at our usual Paper Mill Lock for a cake and a drink and unfortunately with no Tina there, I had no one to share the cream scone with and had to eat both halves all on my own. Brandon enjoyed a nice bit of chocolate cake and Holly had some double chocolate ice-cream to cool her down.

The algae started to build up on the river surface making some beautiful pictures.

Solar panel Brandon goes shirtless all day with no sun cream and didn't catch a bit of sun burn!!

As we went for a long paddle, Holly rode with me rather than take her own board.

Cutting through the algae as it starts to get thicker.

And in places looked like a green carpet or a field of astro turf.

As Brandon paddles through the algae he leaves an artistic trail behind him.

For most of the paddle board we had the whole river to ourselves.

Never seen the Chelmer looking like this before.

Gutted that I had to eat both halves of the cream scone. Such a hard life.

Mission accomplished, knackered Holly out so much she fell asleep at the table.