Paper Mill Lock to Rushes Lock, Chelmer Navigation

Paper Mill Lock, looking up stream

On the last day of summer (for us, it's back to school tomorrow), we decided to go out for lunch and a walk.  There are Simpson's skys, the temperature is warm, the sun a little hot, with just a gentle breeze, a beautiful day.

We have been to Paper Mill Lock on a few occasions.  The last one was here: https://3cephas.blogspot.com/2019/11/summer-holidays-2019-part-1.html, look down to 12 August. That day we got wet.  On a previous visit we were taken on a geocaching tour.  One of the caches is along the tow path between the two locks.  That day it was wet, very wet if my memory is correct.  So, today may have been the first time we had a completely dry visit. 

We arrived to find that parking was restricted.  The big car park is only open at weekend and public holidays, it is not owned by the Tea Rooms.  We were squeezed in, luckily we have a small car. There is a two hour limit and to manage it our car has to be registered in a book - all nicely low-tech. We ordered our sandwiches at the outside window as requested, and it arrived at our table promptly.  The food was very nice.  

After we had eaten, we moved to the car to the road, where luckily two cars were moving away.

Then we turned back to the tow path, beginning our walk downstream to the next lock.  At Paper Mill the lock gates are marked 2021.  At Rushes lock they are dated 2019.

Rushes Lock, Chelmer Navigation

Along the way we passed a number of kayaks, people on inflatable boards, some with life jackets, most without.  Even two without life jackets, where the woman was telling the young girl not to panic or they'd both be in the water.  The "Albert", the boat trip, boat also passed us. 

We passed fishermen and fisherwomen, who were enjoying the solitude, and probably didn't want me asking about their catch, but I had to know, so one of the men had his peace disturbed.

The tow path has been recently cut back, but is still unruly in places, and there is plenty of food for the wildlife.

Our measured distance was 3.04 miles and took 1 hour and 44 minutes, including stops to talk, let people pass, or watch the "Albert" go through the lock.  On our previous visits we have not seen a boat go through the lock.