SUNDAY SAFARI 2015

Lets face it, the safari is not known for it’s sartorial elegance, of our members, from the length of shorts, (cargo shorts are so last year) to the colour of trousers from red/maroon!? ( that must surely be a first) to blue jeans and the variety of T. shirts. As for foot wear I won’t go there. Except to say Sling Backed Wellies are not my thing. Thankfully we have Eric who is elegance personified, with collar and tie, he always looks smart, even at the end of a long hot day taking pictures. If it was me, my shirt tail would be out, tie undone and askew. With talk of a club Polo Shirt perhaps we should have a club tie, so we can improve our image.

Onto the day itself, first stop was the aptly named Belhus Woods, where the main attraction is the lake. We had the British Maritime History in miniature, Geese with their Goslings and performing dogs, one owner tried to do a Britain’s Got Talent and used two dogs to fetch a ball, the problem was though they were both Labradors one was brown and the other was black. The mini armada was popular with our members, especially when one of the boats sank and the owner tried to wade out to recover it. Our members were anxiously and worriedly watching in case the owner slipped and went under. Unfortunately he did not, so another photo opportunity was lost. So it was back to our vehicles for a quick cup of coffee and cake, then on to our next destination. The Ice Cream Stop or Battlesbridge.

Some of our older members refused to go to the antiques centre, as they said that they were probably older than some of the items. Dennis said that the last time he was there his son tried to part exchange him for a dresser. I was also expected to see some members in the curiosity shop, but was surprised that some of them were for sale.

Next stop lunch and Cressing Temple Barns. It was a good time to test the worth of our Sat Nav. as suspected it was worthless, it must have been manufactured during the Roman occupation as it kept sending us up and down the A12 and various cart tracks, I swear that we followed Boadicea for a couple of miles. The barns are a photographers dream, old rusty bits of metal and machinery, rotting wood naked models, sorry got carried away. It also has an excellent cafe with great cream teas.

Next up Langford Museum of Power. Peter was really excited, he told me he could remember when this was all new technology when he was a lad and that nice Mr Stephenson allowed him to ride on his train. There was time for another cup of tea and cake, then off to Heybridge Basin.

An opportunity to take some African wildlife, in someone’s rear garden although the Hippo must have been too hot as a wet towel had been thrown over it. Still there was plenty for us Land Lubbers to take pictures of without getting our feet wet and the boats were much bigger than at Belhus, with more details to photograph. It was time for a quick pint then home.

Thanks to Dick and Sylvia for a great day of photography and tea and cake.

U.C.C. member wondering why his relatives have told him to sit there while they get him an ice cream