What a difference from my last recorded visit to Kent. Once again we trekked across the QEII bridge into Kent to meet an old friend (he will remind me that I am older than him now, for a few months anyway). The pub has not changed much, the food is still very good, and the guest beer was enjoyable too. The topics of conversation this time were more limited, as there was more catching up to do. Also we could not sit outside, as the weather doesn’t match that in July, it has been a wet May in England, especially in the south east. Still it was a good evening, one that I look forward to repeating at the end of the summer, before the dark evenings arrive, perhaps we will be able to sit outside then.
So with the family and career news shared we turned our attention to the church, and that was about as far as we got. Then it was back up the M20, through the tunnel and home – relaxed and refreshed.
Taking advantage of the unseasonable warm weather we decided to go for a stroal along the river at Burnham. The drive from Billericay is about 30 minutes, I guess, though I didn’t time it. As we arrived we drove through the sports ground and on to the park. The car is making strange noises, and we’ve come round lots of 90 degree bends, so I’m not as relaxed as I should be. We park and wander down to the river bank. We walk towards the town. I’m sure the sign said ‘to the beach’ – never mind – it’s pleasant enough. We pass a lady on a bike who has rung her bell as before turning round the blind corner. She reminds her companions that she does need the bell. I agree.
We walked along the rivers edge, from left to right on the map, past the house boats and the boat yards and into the town (bottom right). On the way back we stopped in a pub for a drink. I felt old, as the pub was frequented by only young people. We stood on the raise ares behind the sea wall and watch the tide come in VERY slowly. The water was calm, the place quiet, with just the occasional small motor boat, and the noise of people’s voices.
The amaryllises are making good progress. Two in particular are growing fast. I have a great sense of anticipation of a red flower, but whatever they do, even if they are all from the pink and white one, I’ll still be pleased with them.
Today has been sign-on day, I visited the job-centre to confirm that I am still looking for work. I tried the bus today. As expected its cheaper than the train – about 20% less, which is good. As with all bus routes its anything but direct and so takes slightly longer than the train. At least I don’t have to change. I walked for about 20 minutes to the bus stop, its not the closest one, but it was a nice day for a walk. Coming back I got off the bus even further away, and scared some cows in a field, as I walked past them.
I have confirmed that the view from our upstairs window, that Jo and I were discussing during the week, is Brentwood. The large white building is the shopping center with the flats above, and the spires are the two churches.
Last night, we attended a quiz night at church. The quiz night was in aid of the Atrium fund (we still have some loans to pay off for the atrium). There were 5 tables of eight or more people each. One of the table was filled with the winners of previous quiz nights. On our table we had a good mix of people, so that all of us could play our part, and there was not too much discussion because there was not too much overlap in our knowledge. By the third round we had a 2 point lead over the table with the previous winners on (Jokers excluded). On the last two rounds we managed to increase our lead, although somewhere along the line we had dropped half a point as compared to our closest competitors.
I surprised myself, and should learn that my instincts are better than my thought processes. We could have scored at least one more point if I had paid attention to them. I surprised my self also, that I began to feel distinctly competitive, although there really wasn’t anything at stake, not even pride. We were not expected to win after all, and the prizes would not even set you up for tomorrows lunch. OK, so pride, in some form, is all that could have been at stake…
The 5 Amaryllises that have survived from last year, look like they are about to produce 4 flowers. I’m hoping that one of them will be red:
OK, I exaggerate, but its a headline, and that’s what all the newspapers do! Worse than that though is that it only serves cold Carlseberg. Lager! Real Ale should not be served freezing cold, not should it have a half inch head. It arrived yesterday, and was sat on the dinning table with a notice that said:
“DO NOT SWITCH OFF”
The boys have found new ways of getting supplies while they watch the important football games. I believe it holds 9 pints. So it stayed on all night, and most of today. It is now switched off and removed from the table, as we have home group in a little under an hour.
Now, I don’t mind, really I don’t, but the noise from it is horrible, like malfunctioning air conditioning. Have a listen to the video.
At the weekend my daughter introduced me to ASBO Jesus. These little cartoons certainly make you think and draw lots of interesting (and not so interesting) comments. For those that don’t know ASBO=Anti-Social Behaviour Order. That’s not an order to behave anti-socially, but a prohibition because of anti-social behaviour. Don’t worry about that – enjoy the cartoons, I hope they make you think too.
