We wanted to continue our new walking regime last weekend, and as it was dry and bright for at least part of the day, we decided to drive out to Paper Mill Lock just north of Chelmsford. Apparently there’s a good walking route through the fields and by the Chelmsford and Blackwater Navigation Canal, which you can also follow all the 14 miles from Chelmsford to Heybridge. Admittedly, it was quite late (around 2pm) when we set off, but we weren’t aiming to trek the 5.5-mile distance we did a couple of weeks ago.
When we got to the lock itself, the steady stream of people strolling at the side of the road said it all; their boots were caked in mud. We hadn’t taken our dirty walking shoes, rather foolishly thinking that as the day dawned very frosty, there would be no mud and soggy ground. It was a silly mistake to make; everyone knows that walking + fields and tracks = mud (even on a fine day). So, we went and grabbed a coffee and cake in Sainsbury’s excellent value for money café, before driving the short distance home.
It was probably just as well. After a sore throat one day last week, I’m now in the midst of what I think is a full-blown cold. A runny nose has since developed after the weekend’s mild aches and although that seems to have gotten much better, the dry, cracked and slightly bleeding lips which have been caused through all the blowing, are I think, a worse thing to bear.
All very unpleasant, but, not wanting to speak too soon, I think I may have now turned the corner. The nose blowing has become much less frequent and I do feel a little brighter. Contracting a cold was inevitable in any case; with most of our families and work colleagues going through the sniffles at Christmas and the past month, it was only a matter of time before I picked something up. And, maybe winter isn’t properly winter without a cold after all.
Where is the picture? Should be one of Sainsbury’s cafe at least! Hope you’re feeling better.
Mum xx