We've just had a couple of weeks away in the van.
Originally it was to visit a friend in Essex, who we haven't seen for many years, but then as we were having to travel from one side of the country to the other we thought we'd make more of it and visit places.
We stopped off outside Welwyn Garden City for a few nights and visited St Albans.
Here the Pilgrims shells have been incorporated into the walls of the cathedral
St Albans clock tower
Built in the 1920's it's very spacious and well maintained, but talking to local people this has a price in that the Community Charges are high.
After Welwyn we moved on to
where our friend lives and had the luxury of being the only people on its one campsite.
Brightlingsea has some very old and interesting buildings, some dating from the 16th Century.
This house is reputedly the oldest timber framed building in England and dates from the 14th Century.
This is what I was really interested in, the creeks and coastline of Essex. This area is famed for its oyster industry. Pete, our friend, who's a keen walker, took us on walks to places which we would probably never discovered.
This was one of the highlights for me, an old fishing smack in full sail, and with the traditional red sails as well. Not the best picture, but we were out cycling and I only had my point and shoot camera with me.
Then it was on to Norwich.
The remains of the old city walls.
Up the coast to Cromer,
home of the famous "Cromer crabs" which of course meant crab sandwiches for lunch!!
Is this a '57 Chevy??
Croquet is still played here.
Crab fishing boat.
The final stop was Warwick on the way home,
with a campsite which is next door to the racecourse.
We were lucky as one day there was a race meeting on.
And finally another friend who came to visit.
Many thanks for Wikipedia.
