Exerpt of an actual conversation I had today with SD
e-s: On my walk today all the snails were out. It was like Moo-Book*. But for snails. SnailBook
SD: Did you say hello to them?
e-s: Yes but they were too busy SnailBooking
SD: Were you asking them where it was at?
e-s: No, I said "Hello Mr. Snail"**
*You think cows all end up in the same place at the same time by accident? Think again my friends.
** I actually did say this to the snails. I also sing in the grocery store. You wanna make something of it?
Review: Tabley Game and Country Fair
Saturday took us to the Tabley Game and Country Fair. It was out in Knutsford in Cheshire set in the grounds of Tabley House. Once a great manor it is now a retirement care home and the fair was held in the fields surrounding the house.
It was a bit of a shaky start. What can only be described as scantily clad pirate wenches manned the entrance and took our admission money. We got there mid morning and there was barely anyone there. From across the parking area the whole affair looked small and unpromising.
We wandered the stalls for about an hour and, rather down hearted, almost headed back to the car.
Dave suggested we grab a bite before hitting the road. He had venison sausages and I had a delicious venison burger and after receiving our food we turned our attention to huge centre display area.
We then spent the four hours being immensely entertained by all manner of displays of dogs, birds, classic cars, and country pursuits.
Far from ending in disappointment we realised we had pulled a blinder. It was a fantastic day out full of entertainment, fresh air, puppies, and country characters.
Number 1 Events are the same organisers who did the Astle Park Steam Rally we went to last year. They have lots more events happening this season and we are hoping to get to one or two more of them.
Organiser: Number 1 Events
Date: June 4th and 5th 2011
Location: Tabley House, Knutsford, Cheshire
Admission: £8
After the disappointment of the SEAS Spring Leisure Show I have to admit Dave and I did not have high hopes for Tabley. And it was a bit of a slow burner. BUT... It came good. Great in fact. We arrived at about 11:00 and had enough to keep us occupied and entertained until nearly 5:00 in the afternoon.
I am being a wee bit conservative on the rating. Mostly because the website oversold it ever so slightly. For example they promised heavy horses and rare breeds. The reality was two heavy horses, which were actually lovely in their bells and brasses, and not any rare breeds. Unless you lump the horses into that category as well.
All I'm saying is if you went expecting to see lots of different animals you would have been disappointed.
Country craft demonstrations were also on the website list of features and there weren't really any as such. But as there were lots of country sports demos going on I will let that one go as semantics.
Location: Good
Good location. Easy to find out in Knutsford and well sign posted. .
Tabley House is a huge manor house on an extensive estate. The house itself in now a retirement care home and you can't go in.
The show was held in the fields out in front of the house. It has a pretty private lake and it was very pleasant to walk around.
Parking: Good
Good and free. No hassle in or out. Organised and sane. We weren't sure what to make of the whorish wenches tending the gates though.
I hypothesised that perhaps Tabley House was a GENTLEMEN'S care home and the girls on the gate were like from the house. Drafted in to help out with the fair.
Dave didn't really know what to make of this theory. Or rather he didn't know what to make of the fact that it was MY theory.
Facilities: Good
The toilets were in good trailers and were real flushing ones with running water. Basic but clean and miles better than the horrible blue chemical ones you get most of the time.
Dave and myself are lucky enough to be able bodied and are not the best judges of accessibility. The show was held in a field but the ground was pretty good being dry and level. We did see people in wheel chairs etc and they did not appear to be having any difficulties.
Layout and Size: Fair
The show had a nucleus of sorts. It was the show ring and around that were vendors and stalls. Further out they had the clay pigeon shooting, which kept that noise away from the main ground, and fly fishing by the lake.
It was not a hooge area but it was a good walk around. And it was laid out well.
Exhibitor Variety: Fair
Even though there were not many exhibitors, there was some variety. Not the usual 7-3 junk jewelry to fudge ratio.
There was also a brilliant variety of non-vendors. Owls, birds of prey, gun dogs, shooting, and classic cars were on offer.
There was one brilliant stall selling old tools to which we returned twice. Dave got a couple of bargoons there. It was neat actually because they (the tool stall holders) are a charity who refurbish old tools and send them to developing countries to be given to people who can't afford decent tools. What they were selling were the ones not worth saving and the money went to the charity.
The web site promised heavy horses, rare breeds, and rural craft demonstrations. There were two magnificent horses but no rare breeds or crafts demos. Which is a shame because it kind of oversold something that didn't need it. And probably lead to some disappointment.
But I am rating this fair because there was a good variety in what was actually there.
Exhibitor Quality: Fair
This is an overall average. The vendors were offering pretty poor stuff really but the animal and country pursuits exhibitors were excellent.
Food (catering): Good
Relatively speaking it was reasonably priced and of a good variety. Dave and I had venison for lunch and got some venison burgers to take home to BBQ for dinner.
All in all it was the usual stuff: fish and chips, sausages, ice cream, beer.
I think the food was good mostly because we were there long enough and walking around enough to work up a good appetite. We even had ice cream!
Food (exhibitors): Poor
Almost non-existent and the same old fare: fudge, sausages, jam, cheese, and cupcakes. Nothing outstanding or from farms and producers in the area.
In terms of food I will admit that, having been to Chatsworth last year, Dave and I have been spoiled. Nothing even comes close. Even so the selection at Tabley was rather dire. They didn't even had enough of them to fill a marquee on their own. They had to share with the arts and crafts.
Arts and Crafts: Fair
I have graded this fair because due the the overall sparsity of vendors we were not over loaded with tat.
There was not a lot there that could be classified as art or craft in the sense of being handmade by an artist. All the same there wasn't really anyone trying to pass off Made in China crap as crafts.
Events and Attractions:Excellent
From the minute we got there until after we left the displays in the centre ring did not stop. Dog agility, sheep dog and gun dog training demos, an hilarious trio of trained owls, and lure races. All either hunting or dog or country sport related. And all very good.
Almost all of them tried to involve kids from the spectators in some way and people with dogs were able to have a go at lure running.Or at least their dogs were.
Animals: Good
I really should rate this excellent but I am giving it a good because the show didn't exactly deliver on the website's promises. Technically there were heavy horseS. But there were only two. And no rare breeds. Other than the horses.
So it is the promised variety with which I have a bone to pick. The animals and the people promoting them (especially the dogs and I am NOT a dog person) were excellent.
Demonstrations and Activities:Fair
As well as all the entertainment in the ring there was fly fishing, clay pigeon shooting, archery, a mini dog show, helicopter rides, tons of bouncy castles, and a few crazy doods with small traction engines.
There was also a chef doing demos in the food/craft tent but Dave and I preferred to be out in the sunshine.
Nothing out of the ordinary but still a good variety.
Atmosphere: Good
For the size of the fair there was a good number of people. The day was warm and mostly sunny and everyone looked like they were having fun. It was great to have so much going on in which spectators could participate.
Value for Money: Good
Just the entertainment and demos were worth the price of admission. It definitely made up for the small number of vendors. Because there were not a lot of vendors we didn't feel overwhelmed by the same old crap.
We had a great day out.
It was a bit of a shaky start. What can only be described as scantily clad pirate wenches manned the entrance and took our admission money. We got there mid morning and there was barely anyone there. From across the parking area the whole affair looked small and unpromising.
We wandered the stalls for about an hour and, rather down hearted, almost headed back to the car.
Dave suggested we grab a bite before hitting the road. He had venison sausages and I had a delicious venison burger and after receiving our food we turned our attention to huge centre display area.
We then spent the four hours being immensely entertained by all manner of displays of dogs, birds, classic cars, and country pursuits.
Far from ending in disappointment we realised we had pulled a blinder. It was a fantastic day out full of entertainment, fresh air, puppies, and country characters.
Number 1 Events are the same organisers who did the Astle Park Steam Rally we went to last year. They have lots more events happening this season and we are hoping to get to one or two more of them.
Details
Show: Tabley Game and Country FairOrganiser: Number 1 Events
Date: June 4th and 5th 2011
Location: Tabley House, Knutsford, Cheshire
Admission: £8
Overall Rating
6 Pairs of Hunters
After the disappointment of the SEAS Spring Leisure Show I have to admit Dave and I did not have high hopes for Tabley. And it was a bit of a slow burner. BUT... It came good. Great in fact. We arrived at about 11:00 and had enough to keep us occupied and entertained until nearly 5:00 in the afternoon.
I am being a wee bit conservative on the rating. Mostly because the website oversold it ever so slightly. For example they promised heavy horses and rare breeds. The reality was two heavy horses, which were actually lovely in their bells and brasses, and not any rare breeds. Unless you lump the horses into that category as well.
All I'm saying is if you went expecting to see lots of different animals you would have been disappointed.
Country craft demonstrations were also on the website list of features and there weren't really any as such. But as there were lots of country sports demos going on I will let that one go as semantics.
The categories below are judged accordingly based on the price of admission and over all quality of what is on offer. A value for money index so to speak.
Location: Good
Good location. Easy to find out in Knutsford and well sign posted. .
Tabley House is a huge manor house on an extensive estate. The house itself in now a retirement care home and you can't go in.
The show was held in the fields out in front of the house. It has a pretty private lake and it was very pleasant to walk around.
Parking: Good
Good and free. No hassle in or out. Organised and sane. We weren't sure what to make of the whorish wenches tending the gates though.
I hypothesised that perhaps Tabley House was a GENTLEMEN'S care home and the girls on the gate were like from the house. Drafted in to help out with the fair.
Dave didn't really know what to make of this theory. Or rather he didn't know what to make of the fact that it was MY theory.
Facilities: Good
The toilets were in good trailers and were real flushing ones with running water. Basic but clean and miles better than the horrible blue chemical ones you get most of the time.
Dave and myself are lucky enough to be able bodied and are not the best judges of accessibility. The show was held in a field but the ground was pretty good being dry and level. We did see people in wheel chairs etc and they did not appear to be having any difficulties.
Layout and Size: Fair
The show had a nucleus of sorts. It was the show ring and around that were vendors and stalls. Further out they had the clay pigeon shooting, which kept that noise away from the main ground, and fly fishing by the lake.
It was not a hooge area but it was a good walk around. And it was laid out well.
Exhibitor Variety: Fair
Even though there were not many exhibitors, there was some variety. Not the usual 7-3 junk jewelry to fudge ratio.
There was also a brilliant variety of non-vendors. Owls, birds of prey, gun dogs, shooting, and classic cars were on offer.
There was one brilliant stall selling old tools to which we returned twice. Dave got a couple of bargoons there. It was neat actually because they (the tool stall holders) are a charity who refurbish old tools and send them to developing countries to be given to people who can't afford decent tools. What they were selling were the ones not worth saving and the money went to the charity.
The web site promised heavy horses, rare breeds, and rural craft demonstrations. There were two magnificent horses but no rare breeds or crafts demos. Which is a shame because it kind of oversold something that didn't need it. And probably lead to some disappointment.
But I am rating this fair because there was a good variety in what was actually there.
Exhibitor Quality: Fair
This is an overall average. The vendors were offering pretty poor stuff really but the animal and country pursuits exhibitors were excellent.
Food (catering): Good
Relatively speaking it was reasonably priced and of a good variety. Dave and I had venison for lunch and got some venison burgers to take home to BBQ for dinner.
All in all it was the usual stuff: fish and chips, sausages, ice cream, beer.
I think the food was good mostly because we were there long enough and walking around enough to work up a good appetite. We even had ice cream!
Food (exhibitors): Poor
Almost non-existent and the same old fare: fudge, sausages, jam, cheese, and cupcakes. Nothing outstanding or from farms and producers in the area.
In terms of food I will admit that, having been to Chatsworth last year, Dave and I have been spoiled. Nothing even comes close. Even so the selection at Tabley was rather dire. They didn't even had enough of them to fill a marquee on their own. They had to share with the arts and crafts.
Arts and Crafts: Fair
I have graded this fair because due the the overall sparsity of vendors we were not over loaded with tat.
There was not a lot there that could be classified as art or craft in the sense of being handmade by an artist. All the same there wasn't really anyone trying to pass off Made in China crap as crafts.
Events and Attractions:Excellent
From the minute we got there until after we left the displays in the centre ring did not stop. Dog agility, sheep dog and gun dog training demos, an hilarious trio of trained owls, and lure races. All either hunting or dog or country sport related. And all very good.
Almost all of them tried to involve kids from the spectators in some way and people with dogs were able to have a go at lure running.Or at least their dogs were.
Animals: Good
I really should rate this excellent but I am giving it a good because the show didn't exactly deliver on the website's promises. Technically there were heavy horseS. But there were only two. And no rare breeds. Other than the horses.
So it is the promised variety with which I have a bone to pick. The animals and the people promoting them (especially the dogs and I am NOT a dog person) were excellent.
Demonstrations and Activities:Fair
As well as all the entertainment in the ring there was fly fishing, clay pigeon shooting, archery, a mini dog show, helicopter rides, tons of bouncy castles, and a few crazy doods with small traction engines.
There was also a chef doing demos in the food/craft tent but Dave and I preferred to be out in the sunshine.
Nothing out of the ordinary but still a good variety.
Atmosphere: Good
For the size of the fair there was a good number of people. The day was warm and mostly sunny and everyone looked like they were having fun. It was great to have so much going on in which spectators could participate.
Value for Money: Good
Just the entertainment and demos were worth the price of admission. It definitely made up for the small number of vendors. Because there were not a lot of vendors we didn't feel overwhelmed by the same old crap.
We had a great day out.
Welcome to the Show Season!
A strange thing occurred to me the other day while reviewing our weekends over the last couple of months. Actually since Christmas.
You see, it appears that if it is -10C, snowing, and both of us are in real danger of slipping off the side of a mountain we simply cannot wait to get outside and haul our crazy asses around the English countryside.
But as soon as the sun comes out and the temperature goes up we cannot seem to bring ourselves to leave the backyard let alone trek around the Peak District or Thames Estuary in gaiters and gortex.
I mentioned this to Dave. His insight was, uh, insightful.
One cannot sit out in the backyard, tend the garden, BBQ, or amble about in the freezing cold and driving rain. We both love getting outside whenever we can and in the dark of the year the only way to endure the outdoors is to march.
I think I said "hmph" in response to this more thoughtful than usual analysis from the bear. And there is indeed so much ambling to be done between April and October in Britain. This is Show season.
An insight of my own I will add here:
The life of the British countryside, as it was before the industrial revolution, holds a mythical and romantic place in the British heart. Hardly anyone here lives or works or even understands the agricultural life of their own country. Thoroughbred horses, tweed, sherry, and Hunters are what the English like to think is the part and parcel of the life of the countryside.
And they celebrate it. This idealised and idyllic lifestyle of gentle fields, bleating lambs, steam powered threshing machines, and country houses full of hounds and family plate.
And thank goodness they do or Dave and I would have nothing to do on weekends.
From April to October there is hardly a week goes by without at least one Game Show, Country Fair (or Fayre if you prefeyer), Food Festival, or Rally. North and South people flock to these outdoor events the soul purpose of which is to promote the British countryside, agricultural life, and utterly unattainable lord-of-the-manor lifestyle that we plebs would like to think all farmers and landed gentry live.
This is utterly removed from my experience of country life. Being of Canadian farming stock and growing up with people who were hardly more than one or two generations removed from the same, I am very aware of the harshness of farming life. Dirt, pest, disease, weather, and endless hard graft do not figure in the English imagination of agricultural existence. In Canada this life in itself is not cause for celebration. In the autumn communities celebrate the harvest and show off the best of their produce at district fairs. It does not include the flogging of luxury goods. Canadians don't hunt moose for fun. They do it because it means they will have meat for the winter.
So much for insight.
You would think that it would be fairly easy to find out what is going on for the season but it takes quite a lot of research. Unless you live local to where the event is taking place you would never hear of it or think to look for it. This is especially true for the food festivals. These are usually limited to an item produced very locally by a particular county or even particular town or village.
There is a lot of relentless googling of terms like "showground", "country show", and "game fair" but even the big ones don't have official sites that figure high in the SE rankings.
There are a number of events organisers around and if you go to one show take note of the organiser. They are bound to have a website publicising other events. This is how I filled up the majority of our calendar. Another good way to find events is to look for exhibitor stall availability.
If you are out and about in the English countryside take note of the (often) bright yellow PVC signs cable tied to telephone poles and crash barriers. This is the best method for finding these events and you can end up with a gem. This is how we knew about the Steam Rally at Astle Park last year.
I will be posting on one of my pages here the best sites for finding shows and fairs and I will also be rating the ones we attend this year.
Our first show of the season was the South of England Agricultural Society Spring Garden and Leisure Show.
Click HERE to see how we faired (ha ha ha. Oh come on now. Admit it. It is a BIT funny)
You see, it appears that if it is -10C, snowing, and both of us are in real danger of slipping off the side of a mountain we simply cannot wait to get outside and haul our crazy asses around the English countryside.
But as soon as the sun comes out and the temperature goes up we cannot seem to bring ourselves to leave the backyard let alone trek around the Peak District or Thames Estuary in gaiters and gortex.
I mentioned this to Dave. His insight was, uh, insightful.
One cannot sit out in the backyard, tend the garden, BBQ, or amble about in the freezing cold and driving rain. We both love getting outside whenever we can and in the dark of the year the only way to endure the outdoors is to march.
I think I said "hmph" in response to this more thoughtful than usual analysis from the bear. And there is indeed so much ambling to be done between April and October in Britain. This is Show season.
An insight of my own I will add here:
The life of the British countryside, as it was before the industrial revolution, holds a mythical and romantic place in the British heart. Hardly anyone here lives or works or even understands the agricultural life of their own country. Thoroughbred horses, tweed, sherry, and Hunters are what the English like to think is the part and parcel of the life of the countryside.
And they celebrate it. This idealised and idyllic lifestyle of gentle fields, bleating lambs, steam powered threshing machines, and country houses full of hounds and family plate.
And thank goodness they do or Dave and I would have nothing to do on weekends.
From April to October there is hardly a week goes by without at least one Game Show, Country Fair (or Fayre if you prefeyer), Food Festival, or Rally. North and South people flock to these outdoor events the soul purpose of which is to promote the British countryside, agricultural life, and utterly unattainable lord-of-the-manor lifestyle that we plebs would like to think all farmers and landed gentry live.
This is utterly removed from my experience of country life. Being of Canadian farming stock and growing up with people who were hardly more than one or two generations removed from the same, I am very aware of the harshness of farming life. Dirt, pest, disease, weather, and endless hard graft do not figure in the English imagination of agricultural existence. In Canada this life in itself is not cause for celebration. In the autumn communities celebrate the harvest and show off the best of their produce at district fairs. It does not include the flogging of luxury goods. Canadians don't hunt moose for fun. They do it because it means they will have meat for the winter.
So much for insight.
You would think that it would be fairly easy to find out what is going on for the season but it takes quite a lot of research. Unless you live local to where the event is taking place you would never hear of it or think to look for it. This is especially true for the food festivals. These are usually limited to an item produced very locally by a particular county or even particular town or village.
There is a lot of relentless googling of terms like "showground", "country show", and "game fair" but even the big ones don't have official sites that figure high in the SE rankings.
There are a number of events organisers around and if you go to one show take note of the organiser. They are bound to have a website publicising other events. This is how I filled up the majority of our calendar. Another good way to find events is to look for exhibitor stall availability.
If you are out and about in the English countryside take note of the (often) bright yellow PVC signs cable tied to telephone poles and crash barriers. This is the best method for finding these events and you can end up with a gem. This is how we knew about the Steam Rally at Astle Park last year.
I will be posting on one of my pages here the best sites for finding shows and fairs and I will also be rating the ones we attend this year.
Our first show of the season was the South of England Agricultural Society Spring Garden and Leisure Show.
Click HERE to see how we faired (ha ha ha. Oh come on now. Admit it. It is a BIT funny)
Review: South of England Agricultural Society Spring Garden and Leisure Show
The SEAS (South of England Agricultural Society) Spring Garden and Leisure Show was our first show of the season and a rather accidental one. My 'rents had to get to Gatwick Sunday morning so I thought why waste the journey and why not see if there is anything going on 'tother side of the bridge.
Details
Show: South of England Agricultural Society Spring Garden and Leisure Show
Organiser: SEAS
Date: May 1st, 2011
Location: SEAS showground, Ardingly, East Sussex
Admission: £9 (per adult)
Organiser: SEAS
Date: May 1st, 2011
Location: SEAS showground, Ardingly, East Sussex
Admission: £9 (per adult)
Overall Rating:
Three Pairs of Hunters
We have not been to an SEAS show before (The SEAS has a hooge ground at Ardingly and holds several fairs a year) and based on this initial experience I don't know as we will be attending another.
The Spring Garden and Leisure Show is their first show of year and they do a lot of good promoting the English countryside and agriculture. Or at least they are meant to. But Dave and I were disappointed.
It was a lovely sunny day and the drive out to Ardingly was very pleasant. When we got there the show had just opened. Standing in line for tickets a lady came up to us and asked us if we wanted to buy a double admission ticket for a fiver. Something to do with showing her dogs.
Well, we were sure glad we did. £2.50 each was about right for what was on offer! This was barely a step up from a village fete.
The categories below are judged accordingly based on the price of admission and over all quality of what is on offer. A value for money index so to speak.
Location: Good
Good location. Easy to find in Ardingly and well sign posted as the South of England Agricultural Society show ground.
I would advise them to put the postal code on their location web page for the benefit of the now ubiquitous satnav.
It is just a show ground. No gardens, great house etc there but the surroundings were quite pleasant and clean if not particularly spectacular.
Parking: Good
Good and free. No hassle in or out. Organised and sane.
Facilities: Excellent
The SEAS owns the showground. It is purpose built rather than just playing host to events periodically. As such the facilities were brilliant. Real permanent toilet blocks and running water. Never too busy and they were clean.
Dave and myself are lucky enough to be able bodied so could not really judge accessibility. There were paved paths and all the buildings appeared to have wheel chair access. That made this show a bit friendlier than others we have been to.
Layout and Size: Fair
The showground was too big for what was on offer. Too much space with too little in it. But the craft marquee was crammed. They would have done better to allocate more space to that area. There was lots to spare!
The showground is hooge but that being said the show itself was not very big. Not a lot there. There was quite a lot of empty space and the space used was not used particularly efficiently or effectively.
Exhibitor Variety: Dreadful
There were people selling shoes, people selling junk jewellery, people selling plants and lawn ornaments, and very little else.
There was a “Craft” marquee but it was the same old made in China crap you get at most shows but without anything interesting or of superior quality to balance it out.
There were two that made an impression: The Pepperpot herb farm had an amazing variety of herbs to take home and there was a French company selling ratcheted secateurs.
One thing I cannot get my head around is the apparent demand for FUDGE at these shows. There must have been ten people selling fudge. Fudge that obviously all came from the same factory.
Same goes for most of the clothing and footwear.
Exhibitor Quality: Poor
Also very poor was the quality of goods on offer. Nothing you would not find down Romford market on a Saturday. This includes most of the food retailers and catering as well.
Food (catering): Poor
Dave and I have learned not to eat out at these things. It is always VERY expensive and generally disappointing.
Here there was the usual variety of fast food: sausages, fish and chips, burgers, and beer. Nothing out of the ordinary or tempting to our tummies.
I have graded this Poor because Dave, who usually cannot resist having something that smells good, did not have an appetite for anything.
Food (exhibitors): Poor
Nothing unusual or interesting. In fact there was some stuff there that seemed out of place like the bulk sweets sellers. Someone else had obviously raided a Greggs earlier that morning and was hocking pretty ghastly looking cakes and doughnuts.
The familiar selection of sausages, standard cheeses, flavoured vinegars, honey, preserves, and curry sauces. No artisan producers or farm shops. Which was disappointing considering it was the Agricultural Society show.
Arts and Crafts: Dreadful
The amount of tat that passes for art and craft at these things always amazes me. Hardly any of it was actually genuinely handmade by the person at the stall. Mostly fair trade type goods “handmade” in cottage industries in Malaysia and the like. There is always someone selling magnetic bracelets.
Anyways there was nothing that I absolutely HAD To HAVE which would indicate an overall lack of originality and quality.
Events and Attractions: Poor
Not a great selection there being but two choices:
If you were a dog person you would have been there for the dog show. Not a huge event but interesting if you were into that kind of thing. We did see some lovely beasts.
There was also a low budget gardener’s question time. We did not attend being there at the wrong sort of time and preferring to be outdoors in the sunshine.
Animals: Good
As well as the dog show there were poultry, rabbits, llamas, and alpacas. There was actually llama and alpaca judging which was interesting and Dave and I stayed to see one of the classes awarded. The kink needs to go ALL the way down but I still contend that 12 was the best one.
Not as good as some shows I have been to like Hatfield but most shows don’t do the animal husbandry or demonstrations at all so being that there was some and that it was that little bit different this made it worth while.
Demonstrations and Activities: Dreadful
There were bouncy castles and such for the children and a medieval archery club was giving lessons.
There weren’t any demonstrations as such except for the woollen guild who were hanging out and knitting and spinning with the llamas.
Note: The super chamois guy does not count as a demonstration.
Atmosphere: Fair
Not particularly festive though the crowd did bulk out toward the afternoon. For a bright sunny day I would have hoped for more energy. But we were also quite tired having been up at the crap o’ dawn so Fair is a reserved judgement.
Value for Money: Poor
Very poor. At £9 per person on the door we would have been VERY disappointed.
For what was on offer, the quality and quantity of goods, exhibitors, events, and attractions it was more like a £5 show. The few things that made it worth while were the llamas and alpacas, the giant bunnies, and the variety of herbs on offer from Pepperpot.
Sucker for a Good Pun: Throne Up Sick Bag
Can puns ever be “good”.
Still, I thought that Throne Up was funny. AND as a good (and out numbered here in the UK) republican this is a royal wedding artefact actually worth having from the genius brain of Lydia Leith via Crafty Crafty
To be honest it is already to late for me. I lost it in a garden centre two weeks ago on a rack of tea towels.
Fourtune of the Week
This week's fourtune is brought to you by:
The China Phoenix
"Happiness will bring good fourtune"
The Endless Sea Wall of Essex Estuary: A 14 Mile Circular Walk in East Essex Through Great Stambridge, Canewdon, and Paglesham
These are directions for a 14.5 mile circular walk in south east Essex. It covers the farmland and marshes of the Roch and Crouch estuaries with the majority of the route being sea wall. It passes through the charming village of Canewdon and the mad boat yard at Paglesham. It was quite challenging and not just because of the length. Although it was mostly on the flat (as is most of Essex) the terrain was quite difficult being very muddy field paths, open paddocks, and knobbly sea wall. The idea for the walk originated at the Essex Walks website but I have rewritten the directions based on personal experience and included information that it would have been helpful to have known before we set out.
This weekend David and I thought we would test our stamina. Having done a couple ten milers we wanted to push it a bit and see how we would do at something closer to fifteen. This walk came out to 14.5 miles and it was perhaps just that little bit too much too soon. This was mostly due to the difficulty of the terrain. Flat out on the street it would have been no problem but cross country in very muddy conditions meant we were working twice as hard. It is like walking in sand.
The salt marshes and wind swept fields of south east Essex is a bleak landscape but envigorating in its own way. It is remote, rugged, and beautiful.I was struck in particular by how much colour was to be seen on a grey and chilly November day.
Parking
The walk starts in the village of Great Stambridge. Free parking is to be had in Ash Tree Court. This is on street parking in a residential area and there is not a lot of it. Please be considerate of the locals. If you plan on being a customer later you could park at the Royal Oak pub which is just across the street.
We parked in Ash Tree Court with no problems.
For your satnav reference the postal code is SS4 2AX.
Ammenities
At the start you have the Royal Oak pub, about 45 minutes in you pass through the village of Canewdon where there are two pubs and a village store, four or five miles from the end you can take a mile detour (1/2 mile there and back) to the pub near the boat yard.
In other words few and far between. Take water and food. Over half the walk is out on the sea wall where there is nothing but sky, sea, and the odd concrete bunker left from the second world war.
Directions
Coming out of Ash Tree Court cross the street and turn right. Walk up the street past the Royal Oak pub to Stewards Elm Farm Lane. Turn left up the lane and go until you get to the silly gates. At the gates turn left onto an footpath that runs along paddocks on your right. You might remember the Royal Oak from our Rochford hike. Indeed some of this route covers the same territory.
Take this path all the way to the end where it opens out on to a field. There used to be a footpath at this point but it no longer exists so instead turn right and walk along the field edge path. The path will turn left to follow the edge of the field and run along side a ditch on your right.
Following the edge of the field you will come to another set of fenced paddocks. Follow the path straight on with the paddocks on your left.
The path will end and you will come to a concrete farm bridge on your right and a farm track on your left. Straight ahead are more paddocks.
Enter the first paddock by going over the stile in the corner of the paddock straight ahead of you. Once in the paddock walk ahead bearing right-ish to a second stile which is in the middle of the fence. Go over this second stile and head in the same direction to a third stile. Go over this stile and exit the paddocks by the gate onto a farm track. If you choose to open the gate instead of climbing over please make sure you shut it behind you. Also be careful navigating the paddock fences and stiles. There is electric fencing.
From the gate turn right and head north down the farm track. This turns into a footpath and there should be more fenced fields on the right. Keep heading in this direction (north) until you reach a gate onto a paved road. This is Apton Hall Road but there isn’t a sign at this point. You may need to navigate some wire fencing in a couple of fields to get to the gate.
Cross the road and take the track directly opposite into a field. You should still be heading north. You will pass several abandoned farm buildings on your right.
After these there will be a farmyard on the right. Turn right into the farmyard. There will be a three story high pile of hay bales straight ahead of you and on your right will be more rather derelict farm buildings. Just before you come to the huge tower of hay bales (just after the last farm building) there will be a path on your left. Turn left onto this field path so you are heading north again with the hedge on your right.
Continue along this field edge straight on into the next field. Head north until you come to a hedge that is at right angles to the path you are on. Turn right to follow the hedge keeping it on your left until you come to a gate which takes you on to a bridleway.
Turn left on the bridleway and follow it until you reach a paved road. This is Lark Hill road but is not sign posted.
Turn left up the road (heading north again) until you come to a sharp left bend. At this sharp left there is a farm road heading straight ahead north. It is sign posted Woodford Meats Farm Shop. Head up this road which takes you up a slight hill. On your right there will be a break in the hedge. Turn right to go through the break out onto a cross field foot path. Head straight across the field to the church.
Coming off the field go towards the church and through the church gate. Walk past the church, through the churchyard, and out the gate on the opposite side. This takes you past the village lock up and on to Canewdon High Street. Walk through Canewdon village and continue straight along the paved road until you come to a sign for New Hall on the left.
After passing New Hall look out for a footpath on your left. Turn left on to this footpath. The sign is over grown but there are few other options. If you find you have gone five minutes past New Hall and haven’t seen it you have probably gone too far.
On this path you will pass some gates to a fishing lake on your right. Continue on the path with the lake on your right until the lake ends. Turn right at the end of the lake (the path naturally ends here) to walk behind the lake (still on your right).
Once again you will get to the end of the lake on your right. On your left will be open fields and farms. Where the lake ends look diagonally left across the field and you will see a footbridge. Head diagonally across the field to the footbridge and cross it.
You will now be on a field edge path. Walk straight ahead on the edge of this field until you get to the opposite side. Turn left and walk down the field edge until you come to another foot bridge. Head East-ish across the fields towards the farm buildings across the valley and keep crossing the foot bridges until you come to a farm track.
Cross the farm track and head diagonally right towards the line of trees just ahead. At the trees turn right to follow the line until you get to the farm. The trees should be on your left.
At the farm you will see a set of paddocks ahead and sort of on the left. Go through the kissing gate and follow the path between the paddocks and exit through the kissing gate straight ahead of you. From this gate you will see a large farm gate that exits onto a paved road. Go over the stile and on to the road. This is Creaksea Ferry Road and is not sign posted at this point.
At the road turn left. Follow the road as it winds a bit and you will come out of farmland and into estuary and salt marsh. At a sharp left bend there will be a footbridge on your right (or it could be straight ahead depending on how you look at it). Cross this bridge which takes you onto the Roach Valley Way.
Follow the path through the marshes. From the footbridge it will go straight ahead and then turn right. The path ends at a wood fence. The start of the sea wall will be fairly obvious from here.
At the wood fence turn left onto the sea wall path. It isn’t really a wall. It is more of a levee or dyke the top of which you can walk along.
Stay on this levee/wall path for one million miles. Seriously. There isn't anything else. It goes on For.Ev.Er.
After a million miles you will come to a boat yard. Can’t miss it. You will think you are never going to get there but keep walking.
At the boat yard continue straight ahead or You can divert here for a walk to the Plough and Sail which is about a mile round trip.
Sea wall sea wall sea wall
Go past the lake-y bit where you will see geese and stuff.
Sea wall sea wall sea wall
Eventually you will come to a rather obvious little wood. Go past the wood following the path and keeping the wood on your right. Where the sea wall path becomes un-walkable continue straight to a white shell lane. Turn left onto this lane and follow it west until you get to a farm (Barton Hall also not sign posted)
Turn right up by the farm (so the buildings are on your left and the fields are on your right until you get to a paved track.
Turn left on to the track and follow it, passing a line of evergreens on your right, until you see a way maker on your left pointing to the sea wall and a fingerpost on your right. The paved road goes straight ahead. Follow the road!
You will go past some houses. At the point where the road bears markedly left there will be an old barn in front of you and a grassy track. Take the track straight ahead keeping the old barn on your right. Follow this track to the field at which point there will be a field edge path going straight ahead. You will be able to see Great Stambridge where you started by now. Take the field edge path straight ahead and you will emerge beside Ash Tree Court.
Thoughts and Recommendations
I love our walks. It is fantastic to get outside all day and get all that fresh air and sun light. Especially at this time of year! But I have to be honest here and say this was not one of our more enjoy able outings.
In fact, it was down right unpleasant at times. Not only was the ground poor but the weather very unpleasant. Heavy grey cloud and mist. Freezing wind. It didn’t actually rain but the ground was sodden any where we were not on actual road.
We were also lucky to make it back to the car before it was completely dark. So eager were we to try our strength that we totally forgot about the shortening days. Something that will make longer walks difficult until around February.
As always this was a learning experience. We learned our current limits but I also learned that I could push that limit if I had to. I didn’t want to be out there on the sea wall, or anywhere for that matter, in the pitch dark so when I would have liked to have stopped or slowed down I kept the pace.
So I also learned another valuable lesson in planning. Knowing your daylight hours are important. Check when sunset will be on the day you are planning a long hike and build in some contingency for side tracks, misdirections, pit stops, and photo opportunities.
I think David and I will try this one again in late spring or in the summer. It would be gorgeous to be out on the sea wall in the sun and have a picnic.
This weekend David and I thought we would test our stamina. Having done a couple ten milers we wanted to push it a bit and see how we would do at something closer to fifteen. This walk came out to 14.5 miles and it was perhaps just that little bit too much too soon. This was mostly due to the difficulty of the terrain. Flat out on the street it would have been no problem but cross country in very muddy conditions meant we were working twice as hard. It is like walking in sand.
The salt marshes and wind swept fields of south east Essex is a bleak landscape but envigorating in its own way. It is remote, rugged, and beautiful.I was struck in particular by how much colour was to be seen on a grey and chilly November day.
Parking
The walk starts in the village of Great Stambridge. Free parking is to be had in Ash Tree Court. This is on street parking in a residential area and there is not a lot of it. Please be considerate of the locals. If you plan on being a customer later you could park at the Royal Oak pub which is just across the street.
We parked in Ash Tree Court with no problems.
For your satnav reference the postal code is SS4 2AX.
Ammenities
At the start you have the Royal Oak pub, about 45 minutes in you pass through the village of Canewdon where there are two pubs and a village store, four or five miles from the end you can take a mile detour (1/2 mile there and back) to the pub near the boat yard.
In other words few and far between. Take water and food. Over half the walk is out on the sea wall where there is nothing but sky, sea, and the odd concrete bunker left from the second world war.
Directions
Coming out of Ash Tree Court cross the street and turn right. Walk up the street past the Royal Oak pub to Stewards Elm Farm Lane. Turn left up the lane and go until you get to the silly gates. At the gates turn left onto an footpath that runs along paddocks on your right. You might remember the Royal Oak from our Rochford hike. Indeed some of this route covers the same territory.
Take this path all the way to the end where it opens out on to a field. There used to be a footpath at this point but it no longer exists so instead turn right and walk along the field edge path. The path will turn left to follow the edge of the field and run along side a ditch on your right.
Following the edge of the field you will come to another set of fenced paddocks. Follow the path straight on with the paddocks on your left.
The path will end and you will come to a concrete farm bridge on your right and a farm track on your left. Straight ahead are more paddocks.
Enter the first paddock by going over the stile in the corner of the paddock straight ahead of you. Once in the paddock walk ahead bearing right-ish to a second stile which is in the middle of the fence. Go over this second stile and head in the same direction to a third stile. Go over this stile and exit the paddocks by the gate onto a farm track. If you choose to open the gate instead of climbing over please make sure you shut it behind you. Also be careful navigating the paddock fences and stiles. There is electric fencing.
From the gate turn right and head north down the farm track. This turns into a footpath and there should be more fenced fields on the right. Keep heading in this direction (north) until you reach a gate onto a paved road. This is Apton Hall Road but there isn’t a sign at this point. You may need to navigate some wire fencing in a couple of fields to get to the gate.
Cross the road and take the track directly opposite into a field. You should still be heading north. You will pass several abandoned farm buildings on your right.
After these there will be a farmyard on the right. Turn right into the farmyard. There will be a three story high pile of hay bales straight ahead of you and on your right will be more rather derelict farm buildings. Just before you come to the huge tower of hay bales (just after the last farm building) there will be a path on your left. Turn left onto this field path so you are heading north again with the hedge on your right.
Continue along this field edge straight on into the next field. Head north until you come to a hedge that is at right angles to the path you are on. Turn right to follow the hedge keeping it on your left until you come to a gate which takes you on to a bridleway.
Turn left on the bridleway and follow it until you reach a paved road. This is Lark Hill road but is not sign posted.
Turn left up the road (heading north again) until you come to a sharp left bend. At this sharp left there is a farm road heading straight ahead north. It is sign posted Woodford Meats Farm Shop. Head up this road which takes you up a slight hill. On your right there will be a break in the hedge. Turn right to go through the break out onto a cross field foot path. Head straight across the field to the church.
Coming off the field go towards the church and through the church gate. Walk past the church, through the churchyard, and out the gate on the opposite side. This takes you past the village lock up and on to Canewdon High Street. Walk through Canewdon village and continue straight along the paved road until you come to a sign for New Hall on the left.
After passing New Hall look out for a footpath on your left. Turn left on to this footpath. The sign is over grown but there are few other options. If you find you have gone five minutes past New Hall and haven’t seen it you have probably gone too far.
On this path you will pass some gates to a fishing lake on your right. Continue on the path with the lake on your right until the lake ends. Turn right at the end of the lake (the path naturally ends here) to walk behind the lake (still on your right).
Once again you will get to the end of the lake on your right. On your left will be open fields and farms. Where the lake ends look diagonally left across the field and you will see a footbridge. Head diagonally across the field to the footbridge and cross it.
You will now be on a field edge path. Walk straight ahead on the edge of this field until you get to the opposite side. Turn left and walk down the field edge until you come to another foot bridge. Head East-ish across the fields towards the farm buildings across the valley and keep crossing the foot bridges until you come to a farm track.
Cross the farm track and head diagonally right towards the line of trees just ahead. At the trees turn right to follow the line until you get to the farm. The trees should be on your left.
At the farm you will see a set of paddocks ahead and sort of on the left. Go through the kissing gate and follow the path between the paddocks and exit through the kissing gate straight ahead of you. From this gate you will see a large farm gate that exits onto a paved road. Go over the stile and on to the road. This is Creaksea Ferry Road and is not sign posted at this point.
At the road turn left. Follow the road as it winds a bit and you will come out of farmland and into estuary and salt marsh. At a sharp left bend there will be a footbridge on your right (or it could be straight ahead depending on how you look at it). Cross this bridge which takes you onto the Roach Valley Way.
Follow the path through the marshes. From the footbridge it will go straight ahead and then turn right. The path ends at a wood fence. The start of the sea wall will be fairly obvious from here.
At the wood fence turn left onto the sea wall path. It isn’t really a wall. It is more of a levee or dyke the top of which you can walk along.
Stay on this levee/wall path for one million miles. Seriously. There isn't anything else. It goes on For.Ev.Er.
After a million miles you will come to a boat yard. Can’t miss it. You will think you are never going to get there but keep walking.
At the boat yard continue straight ahead or You can divert here for a walk to the Plough and Sail which is about a mile round trip.
Sea wall sea wall sea wall
Go past the lake-y bit where you will see geese and stuff.
Sea wall sea wall sea wall
Eventually you will come to a rather obvious little wood. Go past the wood following the path and keeping the wood on your right. Where the sea wall path becomes un-walkable continue straight to a white shell lane. Turn left onto this lane and follow it west until you get to a farm (Barton Hall also not sign posted)
Turn right up by the farm (so the buildings are on your left and the fields are on your right until you get to a paved track.
Turn left on to the track and follow it, passing a line of evergreens on your right, until you see a way maker on your left pointing to the sea wall and a fingerpost on your right. The paved road goes straight ahead. Follow the road!
You will go past some houses. At the point where the road bears markedly left there will be an old barn in front of you and a grassy track. Take the track straight ahead keeping the old barn on your right. Follow this track to the field at which point there will be a field edge path going straight ahead. You will be able to see Great Stambridge where you started by now. Take the field edge path straight ahead and you will emerge beside Ash Tree Court.
Thoughts and Recommendations
I love our walks. It is fantastic to get outside all day and get all that fresh air and sun light. Especially at this time of year! But I have to be honest here and say this was not one of our more enjoy able outings.
In fact, it was down right unpleasant at times. Not only was the ground poor but the weather very unpleasant. Heavy grey cloud and mist. Freezing wind. It didn’t actually rain but the ground was sodden any where we were not on actual road.
We were also lucky to make it back to the car before it was completely dark. So eager were we to try our strength that we totally forgot about the shortening days. Something that will make longer walks difficult until around February.
As always this was a learning experience. We learned our current limits but I also learned that I could push that limit if I had to. I didn’t want to be out there on the sea wall, or anywhere for that matter, in the pitch dark so when I would have liked to have stopped or slowed down I kept the pace.
So I also learned another valuable lesson in planning. Knowing your daylight hours are important. Check when sunset will be on the day you are planning a long hike and build in some contingency for side tracks, misdirections, pit stops, and photo opportunities.
I think David and I will try this one again in late spring or in the summer. It would be gorgeous to be out on the sea wall in the sun and have a picnic.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)