Fairlop Waters Open Day

The weather stayed fine for today's Open Day at Firlop Waters to celebrate the re-opening of The Boathouse bar. A few photos are below, the rest are here:

FAIRLOP WATERS OPEN DAY

Day out in Southend

We went down to Southend, as I went to see Guardians of the Galaxy Vol.2 with Paul, Grae, Roger and the boys while Siv went to have lunch with the girls for lunch at The Oyster Creek Kitchen. After the film ended a group of us went to Old Leigh for a few drinks Starting at The Crooked Billet, we moved on to The Mayflower for some more drinks and fish and chips.

In the morning we took Coco for a walk along the seafront and had breakfast at The Estuary Cafe.

Breakfast in Barkingside

As it was a sunny morning, we walked up to through Fairlop Waters to Barkingside to have breakfast at Maison Fraise.

Picnic at Fairlop Waters (again)

The weather was quite good this evening, so we headed up to Fairlop Waters for a picnic again. We spotted wild roses on the walk coming home which had a great scent.

Walk through Valentine's Park

We got a bus to Ilford, and walked back through Valentine's Park, stopping off for a coffee at the Gardener's Cottage Cafe.

West Ham v Everton

It was my last game of the season at West Ham today....luckily the weather improved so it was a good day out...despite a rather dreary 0-0 draw. After the game we headed back to Barking and our old stomping ground of The Spotted Dog, where we were able to sit in the beer garden and watch the Chelsea v  Spurs FA Cup Semi Final

Morning walk to Barkingside for breakfast

We went for a morning walk up to Barkingside for breakfast at Maison Fraise. Going through Fairlop Waters park we saw all the goose chicks out for breakfast!

Friday picnic at Fairlop Waters

We went for a little walk up to Fairlop Waters this evening, and had a small picnic before heading home.

Brian takes Flat Stanley to school

Rick told me that Brian took the recent photos of Flat Stanley to school, and told the class that he'd sent Flat Stanley to his 'Uncle and Aunt' in Essex, England. Here he is wearing a suitable T-Shirt for the occasion.

Walk over Valentine's Park

We took a few hours off from gardening today to have lunch over Valentine's Park. After the cloudy start to the day, the sun came out making the walk through the park very pleasant.

Painting the garden shed inside

We spent this weekend painting the garden shed. As it was an unusually warm weekend for the time of year, we were able to take everything out of the shed, and put it on the lawn while we painted the inside. At the end, the shed looks a look better, and there's a LOT of stuff to go into the skip that's arriving tomorrow.

Trip to Philadelphia for Megan's Wedding

We're just back from a packed few days in Philadelphia for Megan's Wedding. We flew out on Wednesday to Stay at the Kimpton Monaco hotel, and had this frantic itinerary:

Wednesday: We flew to Philadelphia, and was picked up by Rick and Liz. After checking into the hotel, we went for dinner at Bistro 7 in the old City, having a selection of small plates.

Thursday: After breakfast at Menagerie Coffee, we got the 57 bus down to Oregon Avenue, and connected to the G bus and traveled to the shopping centre at South Columbus Boulevard and spent a few hours there, going past the wreck of the SS United States. Heading back to town, we headed back to town and had lunch at Common Wealth for another small plate selection, including fried green tomatoes. In the evening, we all met up for the Wedding Rehearsal dinner at The Olde Bar, in the Original Bookbinder's Building. A great evening out.

Friday: The day of the Wedding, and sadly it rained heavily all day. We got a Septa bus out to St. Dot's for the wedding....the weather being so bad that the wedding photos had to be taken inside. After the wedding we headed back into town, and headed over to the Curtis Building for the evening reception, which was great fun and a lot of food!

Saturday: In the morning we got up and had coffee at Menagerie, before a walk down to South Street, we eventually headed back into Center City to meet the others at Lucky Strike Bowling.In the evening, we had intended to have dinner at the 2nd Story Brewing Company, but due to s fire alarm, it was closed. So we ended up at Gaslight, which actually worked out a lot better for space, and we even got to see some impressive drumming buskers.

Sunday: For brunch, we went with Liz and rick to High Street on Market, for some very nice food. After checking out of the hotel, we headed back to Liz and Rick's for a few hours, before heading to the airport and flying home.

a few photos are below, but the majority are here:

PHILLY TRIP PHOTOS

Drums by Gaslight! from martin clinton on Vimeo.