I`m thinking of getting some practice in on the Chelmer at paper mill lock on tues 2nd feb and again on sat 6th. Does anyone know if there any restrictions on this bit of water? Also, bit short notice for some, but anyone interested in a bit of cold weather paddling on these dates? Been itching to get on the water and it`ll be a learning curve for me in trying different techniques at getting my canoe on and off my car solo.
Hi Todd
There are no restrictions as such, although you should note that the island, ie non tow path side of the lock is private.
You are supposed to have a river license to paddle the Chelmer which you can buy at Papermill Lock, day ticket or annual license.
Have fun
Thanks Baggy. This river licence, is it covered by the BCU? If so, then I`m in, as I joined the BCU primarily to get the british waterways licence. If not, then I`ll be getting a local one from the lock.
Hi Tod
(01-02-10 07:04 PM)Tod. Wrote: [ -> ]Thanks Baggy. This river licence, is it covered by the BCU? If so, then I`m in, as I joined the BCU primarily to get the british waterways licence. If not, then I`ll be getting a local one from the lock.
I'm afraid the BCU license does not cover the chelmer, the chelmer is owned by "The Company of Proprietors of the Chelmer & Blackwater Navigation Limited" not British waterways.
CBN waterways
(01-02-10 07:04 PM)Tod. Wrote: [ -> ]... I joined the BCU primarily to get the british waterways licence. If not, then I`ll be getting a local one from the lock.
sounds familiar! There is apparently some discussion between the two with a view to sorting this out...
If I'm allowed out to play on Saturday, then I'll give you a ring. looks doubtful as she's got the hump with me for leaving her with sick kiddies on sunday and zooming up to Norfolk for some Airsoft
I'll do my damdest to earn some brownie points Tod.
Oh well. If I have to buy a ticket, then I`llhave to buy a ticket. What do they cost daily/monthly/annually? (or should that read "analy").
(03-02-10 11:29 AM)Tod. Wrote: [ -> ]Oh well. If I have to buy a ticket, then I`llhave to buy a ticket. What do they cost daily/monthly/annually? (or should that read "analy").
I can't remember exactly, approx £4 per day, £29 annually
(02-02-10 08:01 PM)Petey Wrote: [ -> ]If I'm allowed out to play on Saturday, then I'll give you a ring. looks doubtful as she's got the hump with me for leaving her with sick kiddies on sunday and zooming up to Norfolk for some Airsoft
I'll do my damdest to earn some brownie points Tod.
OK Petey. If you can make it, great! if not.....
there`ll be another time.
Main thing is...................... I gotta get my canoe in the water!
C'mon Petey,
I'm sure she'll understand if you explain that there's a man with a virgin [boat] that he needs your help with getting her wet.....
Cheers
Red.
(03-02-10 09:05 PM)redframe Wrote: [ -> ]C'mon Petey,
I'm sure she'll understand if you explain that there's a man with a virgin [boat] that he needs your help with getting her wet.....
Cheers
Red.
Red, Have you ever been cited in Divorce proceedings. ???
Regards Bill
I think my strategy will be to concentrate on a direct brownie point assault to suppress retaliatory argument and foot stamping between now and 0800 hrs Saturday morning, and then when defences become saturated I'll flank with 'what a beautiful morning, I might take the Boy out on the canoe for an hour or two'...
Of course this means that I'll have to hurry up and get my 50% chitboard 50% paint outrigger finished
Flippin`eck Petey. Sounds more like military manouvers, I only want to go for a paddle...."whimper". I too have a plan, mainly it`s just practising a technique I`ve formulated in my head for getting the boat on and off the car, solo. I know I know, it`s not a problem for people who are 6ft and their canoes whigh less than a gnats nadgers (read f/glass). But I intend doing lots of paddling midweek and as that`s the time most peeps are in work, means I got to get my roof topping down to a fine art. My boat, whilst not particularily heavy, 40kgs is a lot to hold over your head. For those of you who`ve been fortunate so far not to have met me, my car roof (golf plus) is about eye level with me, then there`s the roof rack, another 5-6". But it can be done (without damage to boat or car). On a different note, what`s the river like downstream of p/mill lock? I`ve only walked so far down as the place was flooded and the footpath was 1ft underwater. Or is upstream from the lock a better proposition?
(04-02-10 09:36 AM)Tod. Wrote: [ -> ]Flippin`eck Petey. Sounds more like military manouvers, I only want to go for a paddle...."whimper". I too have a plan, mainly it`s just practising a technique I`ve formulated in my head for getting the boat on and off the car, solo. I know I know, it`s not a problem for people who are 6ft and their canoes whigh less than a gnats nadgers (read f/glass). But I intend doing lots of paddling midweek and as that`s the time most peeps are in work, means I got to get my roof topping down to a fine art. My boat, whilst not particularily heavy, 40kgs is a lot to hold over your head. For those of you who`ve been fortunate so far not to have met me, my car roof (golf plus) is about eye level with me, then there`s the roof rack, another 5-6". But it can be done (without damage to boat or car). On a different note, what`s the river like downstream of p/mill lock? I`ve only walked so far down as the place was flooded and the footpath was 1ft underwater. Or is upstream from the lock a better proposition?
This part of the river is good when not in flood but the best time of the year is late summer just after the kids have gone bach to school
Hi Tod
(04-02-10 09:36 AM)Tod. Wrote: [ -> ]On a different note, what`s the river like downstream of p/mill lock? I`ve only walked so far down as the place was flooded and the footpath was 1ft underwater. Or is upstream from the lock a better proposition?
The canal is good in both directions, I personally prefer paddling downstream from PPL to Rushes lock as it seems a bit further than paddling up stream to Little Baddow lock. The advantage of going upstream first is you have the flow with you on the way back :-)
map of chelmer
I also prefer the put in at Hoe mill lock as you can usually park quite close to the water especially during the week, there is a wooden platform to launch from about 50ft upstream and another which is down on the left as you look from the road, you have to go down steps and launch into the stream that bypasses the lock from the "canoe launch platform"
