Friday - August 24, 2007
A very early lift to work….sat at my desk working at 0630!! Finish at 1400 and walked out of the office to the bus stop to catch the 175 to Dagenham Heathway Tube station. Tube to Borough and a short walk to the Old Kent Road to meet Nancy. Last minute packing (the forecast was good, so the brolly was left behind) and a cup of tea. Nancy had home baked some flapjack - this was 'cut up' into more manageable pieces to assist the driving in of tent pegs!!!The central line tube took us all the way to Epping - this is where the Essex Way starts.
9 minutes ahead of schedule (you got to have a schedule), we set off looking for the first sign post. A commuter stopped us and said the path we are looking for is over there - 1st navigation error!
The start of the Essex way was muddy - I was feeling cocky having gone for walking books….Nancy in her 'waterproof' trainers was not so happy. The sun came out and we took a bunch of slightly unplanned photos.
5 miles to Toot Hill and the green Man pub - champagne to celebrate Nancy's promotion and a dinner of soup and chips!
1/2 mile walk into the countryside and we found an appropriate field corner to camp in - the dew was heavy, the grass long and the horse shit deep. I directed operations whilst Nancy erected the tent.
Injury count - Zero.
Wild animal count - fox, rabbit.
Text messages - MS zero versus NB zero
all the pics here
Parsonage Farm BBQ
An excellent time was had at Parsonage farm - thanks to our hosts for their hospitality.
Some not that great pics....
Pics (password is Roland's surname)
Videos here
Bowens arrive back home
The bowens arrival home - back to the UK.
First things first...a dirty egg and bacon sarnie from a dirty van on the A120:
It was like a mini road trip with the surf board on the roof!
BBQ and tent erecting at Parents.
The day's events were finished off with a 'pull a face like a tortoise having a poo'. Katy won.
An Innocent day at the village fete
The "Human Fruit Machine" was good to watch...if not somewhat rigged!! I think the 'reel' on the right had forgotten the game plan for this spin!
Summer tunes
I know...i know.....she sounds like Lily Allen, and she is not really singing - but i think this will be the album of summer 2007!
Tracks 2 and 5 are the current favourites.
The 'English Wedding'
Caroline and Benjamin's wedding (one year late) on July 28, 2007, Porto.
Lots of pictures......starting here - The password is their surname.
If you would like a full resolution version of any of the pics let me know....via the contact me button above.
Hook Norton Festical of Fine Ales - July 21, 2007
Up at some ridiculous hour (0530) to ride to Banbury for the afore mentioed beer festival in Hook Norton
After major flooding in the area the day before, people were wearing (in their minds) appropriate foot wear for the even:
I chose flip flops - 'water in water out' concept.
Adam chose Berghaus Yeti Attack Gaiters - 'no water in'.
I employed some small children to feed me chips:
Adam pondered at what age does 'a tankard on a piece of leather' strike you as a good idea:
Becks danced with the leeds morris men. There is a long video.....here.
It was finally time to go home and soak the beer up with some food!!
Thank you to Caz n Noz for a great 'spread' - much apreciated!
