1st SUP of 2026 - NO CREAM TEA CAKES!!!

Miraculously, the May bank holiday weekend brought us the hottest weather of the year so far, and the kids were desperate to get out on the paddle boards. Unfortunately, with the growing popularity of SUP, I knew the river would be absolutely rammed over the long weekend, so I wisely decided to avoid it like the plague.

However, the Tuesday after the bank holiday was forecast to be even hotter — somewhere around 33–34 degrees — so on Sunday evening I fired off a late email to my boss and booked the day off work. The plan was simple: get up early and enjoy a full day out on the river before the crowds appeared.

Josh had been working double shifts at Tesco and, despite having the day off, decided he’d much rather relax in bed. Then Brandon asked Maia if she wanted to come along, which meant I was relegated to walking the riverbank with Tina while Brandon, Maia and Holly claimed the three SUPs between them. That said, I still made the most of the day by jumping into the river every now and then to cool off in the heat. Even Tina was dipping her bad foot into the water, as the cool river seemed to soothe it nicely.

By the end of the day the kids had paddle boarded around two miles in total, and along the way we stopped off at Papermill Lock for tea, coffee and cake. Unbelievably, the bank holiday crowds had wiped out all stock of their infamous cream tea cakes with strawberries, so I was forced to settle for my second favourite instead — carrot cake. The only other bad bit of the day was I brought the wrong attachment for the electric pump and had to blow up all 3 paddle boards by hand!!!!

Brandon and Maia - both now very skilled and competent on the paddle board.

Returning from the lock on their knees ready for the 0.75 mile back to where we had parked the car.

What a beautiful location when it isn't rammed with other river dwellers.

Perfect day to get out on the water and soak up some rays.

Meanwhile I am relegated to walking the river bank with Tina.

Chilling out by another lock and Tina giving her foot a cool soaking.

Going Tursday instead of over the weekend was such a good decision as the river was very quiet.

Another of the locks which we paddle boarded up to.

Beautifully calm and clear waters of the Chelmer.

Brandon dunking Maia in the cold water.

Trying to find the shady side of the river bank.

I think Holly sometime feels a bit like piggy in the middle when she is out with Brandon and Maia.

Most of the time they all get on, but every now and then Brandon winds her up and she strms off ahead.

The lockwhich the nutter Holly was jumping off of.

Wifey taking a rest after the walk up to the first lock whilst the kids played in the water.

The water felt so nice and cool on such a hot day.

The two lovebirds.

Picture from off a bridge as the 3 of them go underneath.

How can they paddle when they are all so close to each other!