Friday 4th November (Day 1)
A trip for a 'bonfire weekend'. We left to get the MH around 1.15pm. By the time we collected the van and loaded it, filled it with water etc it was about 2.30pm. The journey to the site was only 19 miles so no great rush. On way we attempted to fill up with LPG (gas). However the location of the refuelling place while it appeared to exist, we never found, despite locals telling us where it was! We were not desperate for gas so we gave up. We arrived at Abbess Roding about 3.40pm. (Abbess Hall Rally field - this was a West Essex District Association Camping & Caravan Club meeting.) Fourteen other units were already there (it only opened at 3.00pm). By 4.30pm the marquee had arrived and I helped put it up. Unfortunately God decided this was the time for it to rain .... heavily. Eventually two marquees side by side were sorted. Back to the MH for a dry out and tea. It was dark now but still more people were arriving and the space was getting tight. (32 units eventually arrived here.) For some reason the Abbess Roding village sign had one of the figures covered in a plastic bag.
Saturday 5th November (Day 2)
We had a goodnight, although it was a chilly night. Nice and snug in MH! We had researched the area while at home for a walk and found a circular walk which, while it started in Leaden Roding passed through Abbess Roding. This was to be the walk for today, about 3 hours and 7 plus miles. Obviously we were going to start at Abbess Roding and, as there was only one pub on the route, we opted to do it the 'wrong way around' or we would have been at the pub too quickly (if that is possible). This made the walk a tad more difficult as the instructions were not relevant and the map not in enough detail. It was a pleasant walk and we did get a bit lost. At one point we crossed a field which had two dead sheep in found no exit from the field and had to retrace our steps. Eventually, we arrived in White Roding (or Roothing) and entered the planned hostelry. A lovely pub, The Black Horse, where we had a beer (Doom Bar) and a snack. While there some others arrived from the site and invited us to join them so we had an extended stop and a good chat. We then strolled the less than two miles back to the MH. On the return journey we stopped of at the Abbess Roding church which was not overly remarkable but did have a massive solid stone font. We got back and had a cup of tea and small snack as we would be eating late tonight in the marquee with others, jacket potatoes and filling. This was to be after the fireworks. At 6.25 we left for the short walk to watch the fireworks, due to start at 6.30pm. We then had a good 25 minutes of fireworks which were excellent. Then it was into the marquee for jacket potatoes and chilli, cheese or beans. The jacket potatoes were more like boulders they were so big. This was followed by a short 25 question quiz which again excellently judged for all to take part. We came joint first. Then we all sat around chatting until gradually people left for the extra warmth of their caravans or motorhomes. This was earlier than it would normally have been as the gas heater for the marquee failed to work, despite being brand new.
Abbess Roding is one of about eight 'Rodings' in the area. It is an area of Essex that is quite flat and bereft of trees. It does have a fair bit of hIstory associated with it. Rookwood Hall, just down the road, while now almost derelict, was associated with Oliver Cromwell and another occupant was involved with the Witch Finder General. Elizabeth I stayed there and an (ex) queen of Henry VIII lived there. It is a shame it is in such poor repair now. It is also a good area for walking and cycling and a place to return to.
Sunday 6th November (Day 3)
We had quite a cold night - or more accurately we knew it was cold but under the duvet things were much better. For us to get up the MH needed to be warmed so up I got up to turn the heating on. However my concerns over the last fews trips about our batteries not holding the charge, became a reality this morning and after about five or so minutes the alarm sounded for low batteries. So it was a chilly time inside until we cooked breakfast which heated the MH up nicely. When I went out I noticed that we had the first light frost of winter so no wonder it was cold .We then had a group meeting with tea, coffee and cake in the marquee. We won the raffle (first out) and got acknowledged as 'first timers'. Then it was pack up and off home, via an LPG fill up as did did need it to be ready for the next trip. Back at the storage we had a good clear out of things and by just after 2.00pm we were home.