Monday, 29 April 2013
Mike writes: Eva, Tina, Sarah and Adrian organised a Club Holiday at Brantham Hostel. They carefully avoided holiday time and picked the only good days so far this year. Brantham is an Independent Hostel situated in a working farm. The farm house is just across a field of Lambs. The area is about 1/2 mile from the Stour estuary which is alive with sea birds. The Hostel has a great collection of Adnams pictures on the wall.
The Hostel at Brantham
Pictures at Brantham
On Tuesday we all went on the ride around Alton reservoir. After riding across the Dam wall we took over the café for coffee and tea. The café was empty in spite of lovely weather. We then went on through the lanes to Shotley where we looked out over the harbour and watched the container ships unloading. Then back to the pub at Pin Mill where we spent another hour before carrying on to Jimmy's Farm. Jimmy has made a great success of the farm and there are lots of animals, a nature trail, a shop, and a café. There were Peacocks wandering about and even a Lament, on a blackboard, about pigs.
Butt and Oyster at Pin Mill
Lament of a Hog Farmer
On the Wednesday we split up and went to different places. The more ambitious group went to Aldburgh while Adrian's group did a circuit of Colchester. Tony and I went to Wivenhoe, Brightlingsea and Frinton. Lesly and Roger joined us for the ferry crossing which we took at Brightlingsea. The Ferry man offered to land us either on the shingle, with a long walk, or on the mud for a short walk to the shore. We opted for the long walk and kept our shoes dry. Tony and I went on to Frinton where we stopped off at the Cat And Mouse Cafe which is rather special before returning via Manningtree.
We had two great nights out at the Italian Restaurant in Manningtee and the Bull at Brantham. On the second night we stayed at the hostel and Eva, Peter, Tina, Sue and Sarah cooked a wonderful meal.
Mike Stapleton
The ferry at Brightlingsea
Roger, Lesley and Tony on the shingle
Lesley on the shingle
Tina at Alton
Mike Cousins at Alton
Adrian and Tony
Buoy at Shotley Marina
Sarah working out a route
All photos by
Mike Stapleton