Paths
When the bike lanes suddenly disappeared overnight I missed them like I never missed a piece of public infrastructure before. However, on the second day I was reconciled again when walking these deserted country roads through a landscape that makes you half-expect the Hobbit Theme to start playing in the background.
When the bike lanes suddenly disappeared overnight I missed them like I never missed a piece of public infrastructure before. However, on the second day I was reconciled again when walking these deserted country roads through a landscape that makes you half-expect the Hobbit Theme to start playing in the background.
Places
Colchester, Britain's oldest recorded town, is, in a way, a city of superlatives, though you have to look for them.
Colchester, Britain's oldest recorded town, is, in a way, a city of superlatives, though you have to look for them.
The 'Jumbo' Water Tower in Colchester, completed in 1883, is the largest remaining Victorian water tower in Britian. The reverend of the local church protested its construction saying it would overshadow his Rectory and calling it a 'Jumbo' after London Zoo's then still alive elephant (before he was crushed by a locomotive...). They built the tower anyway and it served Colchester for the next 100 years.
When I read the word 'Clapgate' on my map, I snickered and thought, brilliant, I can make an immature joke about it sounding like the latest scandal, but this I shall not, for a very nice couple happened to tell me the true origin of the name. It stems from the days of the Black Plague when bodies were carted up from London for burial. On arrival at the village gate, the driver would clap, giving the signal for the gates to open. This was called 'clapping the bodies in'. Suddenly, the names of the places near-by started to come alive, such as 'Gravesend' which, just like Clapgate, is part of the town of Albury. Albury.
Once in a while, a nugget of gold...
Once in a while, a nugget of gold...
There aren't many photo opportunities in Milton Keynes, Britain's largest New Town and the City of Roundabouts, that convey the spread-out design, incredible amount of green space and general feel of the town. Having spent a relaxing two days here, I can say that it's well worth a visit, though.
People
(the English waiter on the ferry)
"How did you sleep, sir?"
"I slept like a baby."
"So that was you crying all night."
Ah, England.
English people are either psychic or just very, very observant when the thing you most need at a certain time is suddenly offered to you by a stranger without having to ask for it (a coke, a cushion, a camping site).
In another coincidence, I met a person involved with the 25 year program run, among others, by the World Health Organisation to eradicate river blindness mentioned by Rob in his first guest post. The program has so far led to 1 billion treatments in 28 countries in Africa, 6 countries in Latin America and the Yemen. The disease has been interrupted in 4 Latin American countries and 9 regions in 5 African countries which is a tremendous success. This person reminded me of the calibre of people committing enormous amounts of time and effort to fighting blindness which is why it is so important that they receive the funding they need. Hence, also, this walk.
(the English waiter on the ferry)
"How did you sleep, sir?"
"I slept like a baby."
"So that was you crying all night."
Ah, England.
English people are either psychic or just very, very observant when the thing you most need at a certain time is suddenly offered to you by a stranger without having to ask for it (a coke, a cushion, a camping site).
In another coincidence, I met a person involved with the 25 year program run, among others, by the World Health Organisation to eradicate river blindness mentioned by Rob in his first guest post. The program has so far led to 1 billion treatments in 28 countries in Africa, 6 countries in Latin America and the Yemen. The disease has been interrupted in 4 Latin American countries and 9 regions in 5 African countries which is a tremendous success. This person reminded me of the calibre of people committing enormous amounts of time and effort to fighting blindness which is why it is so important that they receive the funding they need. Hence, also, this walk.
Finding Henlow Bridge Lakes Camping Site in Bedfordshire by accident was already a great way to end a day. It got even better when I could stay for free.
As a sign of gratitude I have taken up the service of their mascot 'Bango Duck' as my trusted
companion on these last 550 odd kilometres to Cork.
As a sign of gratitude I have taken up the service of their mascot 'Bango Duck' as my trusted
companion on these last 550 odd kilometres to Cork.