February Days Out

 Hi folks, despite rain every day but one  for a month, I've not let that spoil my fun and have  taken a few days trips!

Last week hubby took me took to Mersey Island, near Colchester.  My paternal family lived on the island for several generations in Strood House and Strood Cottage, visible as you come off the mainland on to the island, just before the area where the water cuts the island off at high tide.  There are marshes on each side of the road and the tide comes in preventing traffic for a few hours twice a day.   My cousin told me that family members learned to swim on the road during high tide.  

The beach huts are spacious, but- they are expensive to buy.  Some are a rental income for owners.   I have a memory of going here as a child, it's got a nice sandy/shingle beach and gets busy in summer as there is a large caravan park.   I am starting to research my family tree and this was a first step to get a feel for my roots.

Today I took the train to Lewes.  It's only a 30 minute journey.  Lewes is best known for its castle and for its 5th November bonfire night procession with men in stripey jumpers carrying fire torches.  

The castle is best seen in Summer.  Throughout the afternoon I walked by,  there  was torrential rain.... but it was deserted, so  good for taking photos as no tourists in sight.

Lewes has lots of cafes, antique shops and an old converted needle factory that houses arts and craft shops.

The charity shops are particularly good, I saw two Paul Costello coats labelled unworn/brand new at £20 each. 

I had a Waterstones gift voucher and treated myself to a River Cottage cookery book and had a sandwich lunch with coffee.

It was our  monthly walkers group outing last Tuesday, ending with a pub lunch at Weatherspoons  We noticed the green shoots of bluebells showing, celandine and catkins along the wooded pathways.

Thanks for stopping by. I will be visiting a few more local towns and villages as the weather improves so stay tuned!