Sunday August 31, 2008
0650 and the warming sun wakes me...only 10 miles to go! A good night's sleep....only woken up once - the farmer out lamping.
Lots of dew....i start off dry, but within minutes of setting off, feet and legs are soaked.
A 3h10m uneventful walk home....passing Layer Marney, near Colchester Zoo and then home.
Total walking time - 17h25m
Total distance - about 50 miles
Pictures here
Saturday August 30, 2008
A massive lay in until 0845....it was more of an over sleep than lay in. James was a queit sleeper and did not wake me. This place was quiet, safe and had fresh running water!!!:
Started walking at 0900 - soon after, i stoped for an eye inspection:
Around Billericay and towards the Hanningfield reservoir. I picked up the 'St Peter's Way' - i was hoping this might have better signage:
Lunch in West Hanningfield after 3h walking:
These were the first (and last) bails i spotted....so, as is now traditional, i took a series of shots:
Late lunch was taken in Morrison's in Maldon:
A dash through Maldon town center.....avoiding about 1 extra mile of footpaths and i was on my way to a 'PH' marked on the map. I was not sure the 'PH' would be there, but i had a backup plan of a 'PH' 1mile off course.
The 'PH' in Little Totham was there and open!! The Swan - one of the friendliest pubs i have been in in months!! Lots of ales to chose from! I sank some beers and ate crisps...these pesky kids had had the last of the Cornish Pasties:
Under fuelled and over beered, i set off in the dark to find a place to sleep. A mile later, with my night navigation skills still to be perfected, i stopped and slept under a tree at 2100. 8h50 minutes of walking and about 25miles.
Friday August 29, 2008
I had been planning a 'walk home from work' for a few months now. The weekend's weather was looking excellent (dry), so at 1520 i set off on the 50mile walk home. Here to here.
Within an hour, the snacks had been raided:
The walk out of dagenham, under the M25 toward South Ockendon was awful - busy roads, fly-tipping, litter and retarded locals. The footpaths were in really bad condition - not maintained at all. I guess this is because the local residents don't walk - why walk when you have chav'd up motors? Why walk when you can fly-tip straight out of your car window.....i was not enjoying this part of the walk!! This was not a pretty part of Essex:
I made it to West Hordon at 1900 - 3h40m of rage soon subsided as a sunk a few pints in 'The Railway'. A spot of food and beers fuelled me on for another few miles. Towards the A127, past my old office and towards Bilericay.
I walked along the dunton road - this is dangerous to drive, very dangerous to cycle and dam right lethal to walk in the pitch black. I survived and took some pictures of my old office (reflecting in the newly formed lakes):
North off the road, and heading for my over night stop. Another 1h45m walking in the dark and i kip down for the night - along side James Jarvis:
5h25m walking and about 16miles.
Saturday August 16, 2008
0715 and a Pit Bull Terrier woke me from my bad night's sleep...big slobbering tongue and sharp paws are not nice that early!
The final 4 miles to Harwich needed to be completed before 0945. At 0915, i arrived here.
The next plan was to catch the 0945 ferry to Shotley Gate to meet Grandad:
And then back to Shotley Gate for a beer:
And the 12:00 ferryback to harwich, the 12:20 bus to Lawford and then home.
Pictures here and here (thanks to Dave for some of these pics and lending me his camera).
Friday August 15, 2008
I never finished this ......due to this and this. So...after almost a year with my ankle almost better, i set of to complete the last 13 miles of the Essex way.
The starting location was Lawford - and after a cup of tea with family Joslin i set off at 17:22 heading for Manningtree:
The final 13 miles went from Manningtree, along the south shore of the river Stour through Ramey and finishing at Harwic. The sun was slowly dropping out of the sky as i set about entertaining myself taking photos.
I re-enacted the 'bale of straw' series:
Also, the 'climb and tree and look a bit gay:
I checked my eyes were there (last time):
This car caught my eye...i may buy it:
The plan was to stop in the Castle Inn in Ramsey for food and beers - about 9 miles.
The next 5 miles were truly wonderful. The Stour is beautiful, even with the tide out i found myself wanting to photograph everything - none of which really came out with such a small camera(and my lack of skill).
At the pub (2030), I was greated by a small welcoming party and the line 'we don't do food':
Andy 
, (big) Adam 
, Chris and Dave.
So, we piled out of the pub and to the back of the Audi for the left overs from Chris and Dave's day at the beach:
Pool was played and beers sunk:
I set off at 00:00 to a lovely spot to camp for the night.
Injury count - Zero.
Wild animal count - none.
Text messages - Lots...i would be well ahead!!!!!!!!
Notes: Andy only live about 1 mile away.
Salcombe 2008 (v2)
Another long weekend in Salcombe....Thursday - a slow ride in the beautiful evening to Whimple and a few beers at the Fountain Inn. The 'Care in the community Glass Collector' turned out to be just a very drunk landlord. Martin the Czech barman who was not happy with his wages and his drunk boss. Jeff and Karen - nice local couple who gave me the low down on Whimple. Most dissapointed i had missed this. 3 young girls (Rachel, Anne-Marie +1) who i believe had never left the village. Being a stranger, i was fresh meat to them...even i am more interesting compared to the drunk landlord!!
Slept at my local 'spot' as rain was very likely.
Friday - up at 0545 to catch the 0700 first ferry from Kingswear to Dartmouth and Alf's. The best cafe in England.
Ride into Salcome:
...meet family Mayhew and first stop is the sweet shop:
Saturday - The Red Arrows display day.....but it rained:
So...they flew past....over in seconds:
Very dissapointing.
Late night card playing:
(i won)
Sunday was a glorious day of hanging out with delightful company:
...then the most intense sailing experience ever...on a Salcombe Yawl. A totally uncontrolable mass of wood and bronze. We cracked the mast before the start, so we lashed it up and put a smaller sail up. Starting 5 minutes late we managed marks 1 an 7 (with only minor additional splintering of the mast). Returning to 1, Patrick (owner, helmsman and my brother in law's father's sister's husband - got that?) asked 'what is that creaking?' I reasured him 'nothing'. Then the forestay broke breaking the mast. Home under the mizzen - all safe and well.
Left Salcombe and arrived home after another intense experience - a 4h blast at 90mph+ on the bike.
A memorable weekend!!!
Mr Mayhew flying past in the laser and 20knots of breeze.
Nieuwpoort 2008
Early start:
Late finish:
With a bit of this:
this:
this:
this:
and this in between:
More pics here
Tour of Europe 2008
Adam, Andy H, Andy M and myself set out on a 10 day tour of the Alps;
July 10 - Colchester to Cuisery, France
July 11 - Cuisery to Bardonecchia, Italy
July 12 - Bardonecchia loop
July 13 - Bardonecchia to La Thuile, France
July 14 - La Thuile to Andermat, Switzerland
July 15 - Andermatt to Bormio, Italy
July 16 - Bormio to Alleghe, Italy
July 17 - Alleghe to Kitzbuhel, Austria
July 18 - Kitzbuhel to Arlon, Belgium
July 19 - Arlon to Colchester
