Friday 29th June 2001

This day started at 08:20, meeting at Tim's house, but somehow Richard didn't get the message to collect Graham, so we all went round to Graham's to pick him up. "Follow me" said Richard I've got Sat. Nav. but I'd lost him within half a mile. Tim had some work to catch up on, so he did that on the journey down to the Golf club, we were meeting David F. there.

David was running late and by now so were we, we all arrived there at about the same time.  Braxted Park Golf Club is a public course, which means you turn up, pay and play. It's very laid back and non snobish which suits my golf. (I've only played once before). The course has nine holes but we didn't have time for more. 

David, Graham, Me and Tim. Richard on camera

Graham "won" the day with Tim one shot behind and Dave two shots behind him, I came last, 38 over par, 14 behind Dave. Someone has to lose, its taking part that counts and did I enjoy some of my shots, watching Tim's proved more enjoyable as they always seem to go straight, some of Graham's were amazing, height, distance, almost accuracy and David had some superb putting to go with reliable driving. A nicely laid out course and good company added to a great round of golf, if not in scores than in players enjoyment. 

A well deserved rest, now on to lunch in West Mersea.

    Lunch was taken at the Company Shed 

    If you like seafood, do yourself a favour and eat there, as soon as you can. Take your own wine and bread with you, for a simple but gorgeous meal. The crabs were the best I've had, the lobsters fantastic and the prawns just superb.

    The place gets very busy, so go early or late but go!

 Our seafood platter 

I should have photographed it before we started, but hunger and desire got the better of me, this was taken towards the end of the meal. Good tip, save the lemon to wash your hands with and take kitchen roll to clean up, fresh French bread and a good wine put the cherry on.

Note the kitchen towel, an essential

after the meal....

....back to Dave's new house in Wivenhoe

Terry met us here, he didn't fancy the golf or seafood.

The old Warf, David's house used to be part of a Shipwrights.

After freshening up we went out to see the old part of Wivenhoe, starting at the rose, on the Quayside then onto the Black Buoy, some quiet drinks and deep conversation.

The Colchester Morris Men dancing in the streets...

 ...well not when I took this picture.

Station public house

Outside the Station pub, its getting dark, this is Dave's favourite watering hole,

its somewhat livelier than the other pubs we went to, as the following pix demonstrate.

Mary with her personal garment

Mary, her bra and Richard, when she started to remove it, the pub became very quiet.

The idea was to pin it onto Dave because he hadn't given her a hard time on a previous occasion.

Richard was sitting in just the right place and was most shocked.

Dave was in the toilets when all the stripping started..........

Mary gets her man

..........Dave to Richard " I leave you alone for two minutes and women start to remove their clothing."

 Hunger strikes again, so its off for a curry at the Bengal Spice.

A good c.j.f. just the right amount of chillies and an abundance of onions, excellent food. 

Outside the Bengal Spice 

Dave and spooky shop.

The next morning we had breakfast from the local deli. and wandered around old Wivenhoe again, then headed home. 

Garrison House, with stucco plasterwork.