2011-09-04 - Deepest, darkest Essex - part 2 - Foulness

Ride was good; though I have to confess that what with the miserable weather (fitting or not) I think I enjoyed the tea and cake stop and the beer on the train ride home the most. Superlative cake and the heritage centre was a bit of a gem. Maybe I should give up cycling...

The souvenirs weren't bad either ;)

Got a load of photos put up, just waiting for the mod to approve them. In the meantime you can see them here:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/63561349@N06/sets/72157627598389076/

Man that look awesome.

deep breath - only 364 days left...

Thanks for coming everyone. I had a great time. The heritage centre definitely surpassed my expectations (the tea and cake was much needed). I'm glad we made it in time!

What was as expected was the island itself, but in a good way. Bleak, and windy, but also beautiful.

What was also exactly as expected was the residents attitude towards QinetiQ/the MoD! I had gathered there were some 'tensions' but didn't necessarily expect them to be so frank. It's ironic really - if the MoD hadn't built the road the residents would still be using the Broomway (or boats, more likely). They tend to blame the MoD for the shrinking population, but it probably would have shrunk anyway - this being the modern trend with isolated islands.

The Broomway itself is fascinating. Although straight, it's generally thought to pre-date the Romans, and nobody knows if it is man-made or natural. It really is a genuine mystery. I definitely want to walk it one day.

Nice pictures chaps. I'm also very happy with my mug, it's nice to have a souvenir. I thinkt they must have sold out after I kicked it off by buying mine, they seemed to sell quite a few!

Sorry we missed you Oliver, I couldn't text/call to let you know, of course.

I found the 'Foulness Characters', with their brakless fixie skidders, quite amusing:

Also, it was a shame about PP's mug :(

And that you overslept Rosie. But you probably needed the rest.

Yeah, PP has a face for the internet.

Lol, I'll get my coat, etc.

You can find my lenmanship here:

https://picasaweb.google.com/117142562826798017935/FoulnessIsland?authuser=0&feat=directlink

Thanks for another great ride chaps - especially to Fox for the faultless leadership.

I'm afraid I didn't take any pics so I'm glad you managed to get some good ones between you. Despite all the MoD tensions it's good to see that the locals haven't lost their sense of humour...

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Great ride, great people, thanks for a fantastic day out on the bikes Fox! Loved it!
So good even the rain felt good!

Szia

L

(PS - and thanks for the pictures, I saved a lot of them!)

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Amazing... this is the first picture I archived actually! I really want to be 50 now!

L

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sniggers at knickers whilst ogling cupcakes.

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I wasn't ogling cupcakes, we're just good friends.

God I look terrible in that photo. Not your fault John, but I look deranged!

Oh, and spybot reminded me last night that the idea for this ride was actually his, he provided the inspiration and I provided the perspiration. Just for the record.

The Bradwell-on-Sea ride was actually my idea.

That's what you think.

It was, I remember thinking 'why does nobody ever go over there?'

I still haven't seen that bloody film.

It was, I remember thinking 'why does nobody ever go over there?'

I still haven't seen that bloody film.

He still thinks he hasn't seen the film. We need to go deeper.

^ awesome pic

IMG_2176 by danieljsoul, on Flickr

IMG_2186 by danieljsoul, on Flickr

IMG_2222 by danieljsoul, on Flickr

IMG_2230 by danieljsoul, on Flickr

IMG_2233 by danieljsoul, on Flickr

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IMG_2233 by danieljsoul, on Flickr