Thank you to everyone who helped with maintenance over the last year.
All caches are hidden to be found, if you find a wet/damp log or one missing and carry spares I am happy for it to be replaced and will check on my next visit.
A return route is now in place, CBN - Cycle Route. Good for driving between start and finish of the canal walk.
We don’t mind log entries been copied, we expect it to happen on this walk. If you’re going to write something or post pictures you want everyone else to see, please use this cache page (Chelmer and Blackwater Navigation ).
Placed with the kind permission of Essex Waterways Ltd supporting Geocaching.
Chelmer and Blackwater Navigation Canal:
It is some 14 miles long, with 12 locks, running from Chelmsford, Essex to the Blackwater Estuary near Maldon. Despite its close proximity to London the canal is surprisingly un-spoilt, winding through mainly gentle undulating farmland.
Once busy with horse-drawn barges, this idyllic ribbon of water, nestling in willow lined valleys brims with peace and tranquillity. A true paradise for anglers, walkers, birdwatchers, small boat enthusiasts, artists and family’s just out for a leisurely stroll.
Alongside the canal just downstream of Hoe Mill was Britain's first Sugar factory. Sugar Baker's Holes are the last lingering reminder of the factory, established in 1832, including cottages canal side for the factory workers.
PAPER MILL was the first place in Essex where paper was produced, in 1792 there were two mills here, one for grinding corn, the other for pulp rags.
Willow, famous around the world for the manufacture of some of the best 'test match standard' cricket bats, have been grown alongside the canal for many years, and still are today. Trees of 56 inch circumference (around 15 years old) are felled and new trees planted alongside old nearly every year.
Walkers will find the towpath easy to follow throughout the length of the Navigation, and obvious where it changes from one bank to the other. It can become muddy in wet weather. A MAP of the route is available on pages 46 to 49 (Wendy's Easter Walk).
Log / Container Replacement Policy:
We do ask cachers to please help maintain this trail. We don’t mind cachers replacing logs or containers. All the hides are marked and you will know if a cache has gone missing when finding an empty holder. We recommend bringing with two or three 35mm film canisters. Use this link to make some logs for them.
You can also make some extra logs. That way you can replace any caches or logs that might have been abducted or mutilated. This will help everyone out, and hopefully makes your cache run a 100% success.
Please Take Note: Maintenance is optional.
Logging caches Policy:
We don’t mind log entries been copied, we expect it to happen on this walk. If you’re going to write something or post pictures you want us or everyone else to see, please use this cache page (Chelmer and Blackwater Navigation ).
We also don’t mind this cache page (Chelmer and Blackwater Navigation) been used for writing notes, saying when you will be coming or are looking for other cachers to team up with.
For a challenge you can also state in your main log entry here how many of these places you have or have not visited in the past. Or which were your most memorable visits?
Long Walk:
HOE MILL & PAPER MILL Lock do offer a place to sit for a break. If open you can buy something to eat and drink at Paper Mill Lock.
Free parking is available at Heybridge Basin if you plan on leaving your vehicle at one end (N51 43.8 E0 42.5 is for the entrance to parking). There are 2 pubs here if this is your endpoint.
Chelmsford offer lots of paid parking.
The closest train stations is at Chelmsford and Hatfield Peverel. A bus service is available between Heybridge Basin (Maldon), The Colliers (on Basin Road) and the stations.
Parking for Short Walks:
We did odd number caches, then returned to do even numbers which made it seem like a nice circular walk. (Andrew & Barbara)
Beeleigh Lock at Langford (N51 44.64 E0 39.85)
Hoe Mill Lock (N51 44.63 E0 37.03)
Paper Mill Lock (N51 45.03 E0 34.3)
Close to Little Baddow Mill Lock (N51 44.92 E0 33.15)
Sandford Lock (N51 43.73 E0 31.06)
About the Caches:
The caches along this walk are all about visiting Essex and caching for numbers. There is nothing special about the containers and hides; it’s all about the walk.
Tweezers is a must have tool, you never know. A bit of grass & leaves will do to cover. Take care, muggles can be a problem, use shoe lace tying trick. The 10 extra caches along the way will make up for any DNF’s that you may encounter. So you can still bag a 100 caches.
Staying Longer:
Adding to your experience is the Bunny Walk and Cycle series in Chelmsford along the same canal that can be done before or after for the more fanatical and for something different try out the Meadows View Cache or Huey Dewey and Louie go Geocaching in Caesaromagus.
And for something different on the other side (Maldon), why not visiting Drive-by WaterWorks & Little Choo Choo. You can extend your stay with longer walks along the sea wall by Mr Crow.
Helpful Links:
CassAndy's Blog GeoCass
This BOOKLET offer other walks and a canal map on pages 46 to 49 (Wendy's Easter Walk).
Event - Breakfast meet at Heybridge Basin - Wednesday 21st December 2011.
Thanks for your support.
