So here’s part two of the Essex Adventure…..
After the tour of the twin towers we found a maltings but sadly not a brewery - seems they make things ready for brewing or baking but don’t make final products themselves. Smelt nice and hoppy though.
We had parked by this nice tasteful swan fountain….
And this was the view off to the right of the swan out to the river and the mud….
Another educational (and rainy day) we went into Tiptree and went round the museum and had a look in the jam shop.
Never had to press a strawberry before and probably never will again. I haven’t got over the disappointment of it not working yet.
Woody struggled to read the menu so I helped him out….
A visit to the optician may be called for.
I’ve found this for sale in Kent once but they don’t seem to make it any more but at least a jar has found its place in their museum. The jam itself is striped - a layer of green, then yellow then red jam on top like a traffic light (or robot for you South Africaners). Afterwards we stopped off to lunch at a garden centre, didn’t buy the £300+ wind chimes (sounded amazing though - like some Buddhist monastery from Tibet sound with a super long echo/ ring) before going into Colchester and had a look round the museum. We went a slightly different way to the others and managed to get in the en suite parking right by the entrance.
It was , of course, very educational….
But the best bit was no doubt the chariot racing…. Go Neddy go!
Just for the record I was second…. (Better than everyone else who had a go!)
We couldn’t stay away from Walton on the Naze so we had a walk around the nature reserve right at the end before lunch and a trip up the tower.
These boats are a long way from anywhere so a long row before you even get to do any sailing. Must keep you fit.
The whole way round we could see the tower but every time you thought you should be getting closer it got further away,
Just gotta keep going else you won’t get lunch!
Woody and I popped into a greasy spoonesque cafe to get a drink as we had not taken any with us. It was a real mix of plastic topped tables but menu boards claiming to make tapas and other Spanish foods with chorizo and other things. Really out of place and did not fit with the decor and we never found out what it was really like but I think it was probably for the best. What did catch my eye though was the clock…
Following the cafe was the only really uphill part of the walk - the main part of it was flat flat flat...
We did get back and after lunch some of us went up the tower…
As it was a windy grey day this is what the view should be according to the sign!
And here are those who didn’t go up the tower….
There was an art exhibition in the tower with a variety of modern art (didn’t like) and some interesting ideas of sewing onto old and used sea charts and pictures made out of sea glass.
This is a view of the sea marshes not far from the cottage we stayed in…. We had gone for another evening walk where I collected a bit more sea glass to give to a friend who will be creating a mosaic with it….
And to prove there was sun and merriment! Cheers! (And a happy birthday week)
We left the day before most as we had to get back as we were having a window fitted and we past about 6 of these interesting creatures on the way back
And for those who disagreed with the No Messing About sign - we passed a place where it was certainly welcome!
I’m back to work tomorrow for another three days and Woody is still doing the odd morning here and there which helps keeps the coffers topped up. The garden is very green and growing due to the rain followed by hot sun though of course slugs and snails are voraciously eating everything we have planted but are leaving the things we don’t want to grow at full throttle. Always the way! We have some stunning flowers in planters this year and a patch of lobelia which is doing really well. The hellebores in the woodland seem to have taken so there is hope for a colourful year next year too.
Love to all and keep in touch. Plenty of room for visitors!
Love W&B xxx
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