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Didn't we have a lovely time... 
Jim's success with the weather came to a spectacular end on the 'summer' bike ride to Castle Hedingham. Sunday was the wettest as we sailed upstream taking the local tributaries and little heard of streams rather than the main river itself (A120) so as to avoid too much pleasure boat traffic. The famous underwater city of Braintree was chosen as a rest point so as to allow a huge storm to brew up as we left the central port area for the dangerous crossing of the Essex flood plain. Six inches of rain fell in about 6 minutes as the Atlantic Ocean emptied itself on us. Despite this it was an enjoyable trip in the much under rated Essex countryside, the sun even came out by the end - although my bottom was in serious trouble by that time ! Dave J
Armed with Jim's promise of 'I've never had a wet weekend yet!' I set off for our 10am Rendez-Vous in Chelmsford. The group were there, waiting in the pouring rain, no sign of Jim! 20 minutes later Jim arrived with some feeble excuse about his plane leaving its tyre in Munich airport the previous day, therefore seriously delaying him! The weather forecast for the day was rain early on but drying up late morning, so 8 of us optimistically set off in the rain (less Lorna, who decided to opt for plan B, ie, she would set off later in the day and join us at the Youth Hostel). After leaving the hustle and bustle of Chelmsford we were soon cycling along pleasant country lanes, across golf courses and through pretty villages. About an hour into the ride, Jim demonstrated his puncture repair skills (we couldn't have a cycling holiday without at least one puncture!). Still drizzling, we arrived at the Boars Head in Braintree where we had a well deserved 'Sausage, Egg and Chips' all round. This proved to be a good drying off stop! Still drizzling, we headed for Halstead, via Stisted where we managed to have a dry photo-call. Thanks to Paul (who happens to be a local), we discovered a very quaint Tea-Rooms by the Mill in Halstead. Once Jim had stocked up with food for the next day's breakfast, we set off into black clouds for the last stretch to Castle Hedingham. On arrival at Castle Hedingham (28.5 miles later according to Tom's mileometer), we descended upon the local bike shop, where Waldy bought the latest in fashion accessories, a white cycling helmet (3 of us now sported this season's colour!) and Lynn went for the flourescent yellow strip! 
After inspecting our humble accommodation at the YHA, Waldy and Paul set off, direction Sible Hedingham, to find their fourteenth century B & B. Lorna had now arrived, having left Chelmsford at 3pm. Whilst waiting for Waldy and Paul to join us for our evening meal in the Bell at 7.30pm (Dave P. claimed to have seen them still cycling round Castle Hedingham 10 minutes earlier searching for their accommodation!), we were horrified to see a party of 50 German school kids arrive at the YH! After an excellent evening meal and pleasant banter with the barman, locals and visiting 'birdman' (person into Falconry), we retired with thoughts of 'the weather can only get better tomorrow!' (NOT!). After such an exhausting cycle ride, the last thing we needed was a group of noisy German school kids playing up, and guess what!?…..anyway thanks to Lynn's ('Der Fuhrer') linguistic skills the children (and their teacher!) were soon quiet. Sunday commenced with a delicious cooked breakfast (it seems that it is customary for the men to prepare breakfast, can't be bad). After a prolonged tour of the castle, due to heavy rain, we departed Castle Hedingham at noon. Unfortunately, the stretch between Castle Hedingham and Braintree was a bit of a blur, especially for those wearing glasses! This weekend was rapidly becoming a watersports weekend with wetsuits seeming like more appropriate gear! Arriving at the Boars Head in Braintree, those of us that could, changed into any dry remaining clothes. Unfortunately today they were not serving food as they were planning a barbecue later that afternoon (I'm not sure who had the last laugh!). So we headed for the nearest Joe's Café for burger butties. Despite the weather seeming to clear whilst we had lunch, the moment we decided to set off, for the appropriately named village of Rayne, the skies darkened and the thunder rolled! With no indication of it clearing, we decided we had no alternative but to set off for some white water cycling down Braintree's rapids (drain covers were literally being lifted by the force of the water and we were cycling through at least 2 inches of water in places!). After sheltering under a bridge, and with only about an hour to go to Chelmsford, we were suddenly blessed with glorious sunshine! So this story had a happy ending, as Paul and Lynn cycled off into the sunset, hand in hand,... Seriously though, as newcomers to Chelmsford YHA, I feel I can say that Paul and myself were well and truly baptised! Carol
I enjoyed my mid-summer's cycle and getting that deeper tan from the sun's reflection in the torrential rain. Stopping in the pub and eating a hearty meal was a wonderful break. Having to stop at a tea shop in Halstead to replenish all our spent energy on treacle tart was another hardship worth enduring. I enjoyed a pleasant night in a quaint pub, my romantic walk and having the opportunity to practice my German on lots of small people.... There was the challenge of cycling up stream out of Braintree as the torrents were gushing down. Of course the unexpected collision two bike only 100 meters from my home completed the fun filled weekend. What collision? I hear you all ask well no one need have known anything about it except Dave Plummer was passing by just afterwards. Please probe Paul for full details. Lynn
The Statistics: Distance cycled: 58 miles Time cycling: 6 hours Time in teashops: 4 hours Time in pubs: 7 hours Wettest August since: 1912
Walking the Constable Trail A party of ten cheerful walkers set off from East Bergholt, thought to be the birthplace of the famous landscape painter John Constable; the village green featured in his painting "East Berholt Fair". St Mary's Church was our first port of call, where Constable's parents are buried, and unusual in that the tower is unfinished, the bells being housed in a timber cage in the churchyard. Following the route the young John took to school, wide views of Dedham vale opened up. We soon reached the site of "The Cornfield", a landscape featuring a boy drinking from a lane-side pool. We crossed the Stour and headed upstream through open water-meadows to Dedham, by Dedham Mill,(which once belonged to the Constable family), and the old Grammar school where Constable was a pupil. It had taken an hour to walk this short distance, which left us only 30 minutes to cover 2½ miles to Stratford St. Mary for lunch. The hot weather was taking its toll and a diversion was needed, which took us to the Black Horse only 15 minutes later than planned, and after ordering food and drinks we retired to the garden to rest our weary bodies. Clive informed us that it was 94ºF, which everyone agreed was far too warm. Following the Stour downstream on the Suffolk bank, picking our way through the picknickers, family groups, fishermen and one or two fellow walkers, we continued to Flatford. Lorna wanted to hire a rowing boat and attempted to press-gang crew-members. We persuaded her that there were less energetic activities, such as the National Trust tea rooms. After tea we strolled past the dry dock depicted in Constables "Boatbuilding at Flatford", and posed for photos by Flatford Mill and Willy Lott's Cottage. I hope everybody enjoyed the day as much as I did. As well as commemorating the life and work of the famous landscape artist, this was a very attractive and interesting walk. I will certainly be visiting the area again (Lorna, we'll hire a boat next time!) and I hope the Constable Trail might become a regular part of the group's itinerary. Gary Polish Quiz So let me see... Poland has been around for over a thousand years (on and off) but has been moving considerably westwards. They have zlotis, a chap called Lech with a big moustache and another bloke called Carol who now runs the Roman Catholic church. Did I miss anything? Brilliant quiz, thanks to Dave for enlightening us all. Pleshey Walk Lovely evening spent walking round the village of Pleshey. Most conversations were on exactly how much everyone had or hadn't seen of the eclipse. Back at the pub just before dark and in plenty of time for copious refreshment. |
