Braintree, Maldon and Manningtree, Essex: Family and Friends

Today was awesome! We finally made it to Braintree. This is where we first came in May 1998 on our arrival in the UK to begin our OE. We first stayed in this house, which is where Graham and Yvonne (Brad's Aunt and Uncle) lived at the time. Now its home to their son, Andy and his wife and their two children, Larissa (12) and Lana (6).

We had a lovely time in the garden. The kids all played in the pool before we headed off for a walk to see Graham and Yvonne's place and on to the lake. A wander back followed by a BBQ lunch before another quick swim before heading to Maldon to see Karen and Rob Ottley and their two girls, Maddy (16) and Imogen (13). Brad worked with Karen at Gartmore in London. We had a beautiful home cooked curry and sat out in the garden. After much chatter over dinner and dessert, it was time (all-be-it late), to drive back to our campsite in Cambridge.

Super warm weather for a few days. It got to 36 degrees in the car on the 31st July!

On Saturday 1st August we drove to Bradfield, near Manningtree, to visit another Gartmore work colleague of Brads, Jen Cannons, her husband Ian and their boy Eddie (14).

We drove to Harwich and walked along the promenade and had a ice-cream. Afterwards we drove further around to the International Port for a wander, then headed back to Jen and Ian's for dinner and drinks. We stayed the night here before heading back to our base in Cambridge.

Not many photographs unfortunately, as tricky to get socially distanced by 2m!

A walk to the lake.

Time for a late BBQ lunch.

Cale with Cookie the Cockerpoo.

Gareth's old house at 23 Kidder Road, Rayne, where we lived for six months after we arrived in England in 1998. Its the one with the silver car in front.