Friday 25th January (Day 1)
A funny start (for us) for the weekend trip in that we would normally be off in the morning to get to the site around midday. This time we left home at 4.00pm as we could not get on the site until 6.00pm as it is a school. But with the weekend rush hour we did not get to the motorhome until 5.20pm. We stopped off on the way to ensure we knew where we were staying which was just as well as one of the entrances is locked (the one the satnav takes you to). So we then filled with water and drove to the weekends stop. Where was it? Chelmsford. A drive of only six miles as we were with the Essex Group of the Motor Caravanners Club, our first time with this group. It was at a school which sounded rather American - Chelmer Valley High. Having parked and had something to eat we walked to the main hall for the evening of chatting (and a game of bingo). Never having been with this group we were surprised to recognise a lot of people. It took a while to realise that some of the Anglia Group, who we were with at New Year, were here also. Around 8.30pm Gill and Dave arrived and joined us. A pleasant evening of chatting and laughing followed until 11.00pm it was time to go to bed
Saturday 26th January (Day 2)
A slow start because 'someone' forgot to remove the cover for the hot water boiler. This meant when we went for a shower - cold water! Eventually sorted and after breakfast we waited for Resa and Eric to arrive as they were busy yesterday. Then it was a coffee followed by a bus into Chelmsford from Broomfield Hospital which was next door. On alighting at the bus station our first stop was at the cathedral, near to the High Street, it was vary spacious as you would expect although all the seating had been removed for a Burn's Night Event this evening. One corner housed memorials to those who had died in the wars, right up to the Afghanistan conflict. Not only the armed forces but also the civilians who died. It was very interesting. Walking around we saw, in a glass, cabinet a banner that had been embroidered in gold and beads. It was completed by Beryl Dean a renowned textile artist. One of the cathedral staff saw our interest and opened the cabinet to proudly show to us the back of the banner also embroidered. It had a dragon which is the wind vane on the top of the cathedral. Well worth the visit we then left. What followed was the usual walk around shops and some of the six of us disappearing for ages looking at, well, who knows what. Lunch was at the usual Wetherspoons. Then a bus back. What followed was a bit of 'down' time before the six of us gathered for a curry feast. Then at 7.00pm we went to the main hall for an evening of...... well we didn't really know. It was a very good evening with line dancing and country dancing (for simpletons) and raffles and 'who can get a pound coin nearest the scotch / gin. Again 11.00pm was the witching hour and we retired for the night. A very different, fun, evening that was totally unexpected.
PHOTO: Embroidery Gang in pub
Sunday 27th January (Day 3)
That what we like. Rain during the night and bright sunshine in the morning. The rain was very heavy though. A lazy morning, saying goodbye to Gill and Dave at 9.40am. Morning tea or coffee and a quick chat from the Chairman and by 11.30 we were off. 11.40 we were parking up at the motorhome's base. Then home, via a furniture shop in Chelmsford.