Following our stay in decadent hotel luxury in the depths of Surrey – during which hiatus we visited (and were visited by) many lovely generous folk who all seemed eager to commune with us (or just to gawk at the strange people from Canada!) – we continued our UK visit by taking to the road in our hire car to visit on successive days Colchester in Essex, Sevenoaks in Kent and Maidenhead in Berkshire. The purpose of these brief but delightful tarriances was, naturally, to foist ourselves upon the hospitality of dear friends whom we had not seen for at least four years. The results were – hopefully – to the mutual enjoyment of all parties.
Well – that is certainly how it was for us, anyway, and it was lovely in several cases to visit for the first time the new homes of those that we love! Thank you all.
It was also good to be able to visit ‘new’ places. The following images – for example – are of a part of England that I have not visited since I was a very small boy and of which I have – naturally – virtually no memory at all.
I like these houseboats (or live-aboards as Canadians would term them). I sense a certain Dickensian feel to these images of inexorable decline (though maybe I am actually thinking more of Dickens by way of David Lean!).
What is glaringly wrong in this photo of the lovely cricket ground that has been used since 1974 by Copford Cricket Club in Essex?
That’s right – there is a massive oak tree at midwicket (or in the covers depending on which end the bowling is currently from)! The ground is on the estate of Copford Hall and the only restriction that the owners place on the club is that the oak cannot be disturbed. It makes an interesting – and very English – hazard!
Today’s image
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