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Are we going to be able to carry on with our modest but successful walks programme over the next few weeks or is everything going to be shut down again? This morning's ministerial appearance on BBC Breakfast wasn't exactly reassuring. It seemed to be priming us for a repeat of spring, when life outdoors was reduced to circuits of the local parks and standing in queues to be admitted to the supermarket. I actually found myself wondering whether we ought to stock up on loo paper before the stampede starts. Meanwhile, I'm due to join one of Ron's lovely Essex expeditions this coming weekend, so I'm just hoping we can get that in before the portcullis comes down.
Jerome's South Downs circular from Lewes was the thirteenth walk he's led since restrictions were lifted
PHOTO Ian Watson
Ian obviously had an active weekend - here he is on Ron's non-LDWA expedition from Chelmsford to Maldon. Ron has also been organising a string of walks in the last few weeks. In fact, three cheers for everyone who's been stepping up to lead. They've made a real difference in these depressing times
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After the togetherness of last week's 25th Anniversary celebrations some of us have been going their solitary walking ways this week. The spectacularly-hued dawn sky below was captured by Minna at Mark Farm campsite during her trip across the Dengie peninsula to Burnham-on Crouch.
Dengie dawn
Below, one of those views that really do make you wish you were there. This is from Alison's expedition along the Vanguard Way
Near journey's end on the Vanguard Way
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In a recent Jabber, I posed the question: Is there a collective noun for barges? The answer was a resounding Yes. 'With my steering, a thump of barges,' offered Francis Thomason, before going on to add, 'My agent in the barge association informs me that in France it is a fluvial and in England a spam, although crunch is more common usage. I was closer than I imagined.' As a PS, he added, 'Gosh, there is now a debate on the barge association website. The conclusion so far... There is nothing official but the consensus collective noun is (cue the fanfare) a lot of barges. What an unpoetic lot, though “a crusty of bargees” is popular.'
And this from Gill Struthers; I’m not sure what a load of barges just resting or moored are called. However I believe a group of barges tied together are collectively called a tow of barges. The one at the front that pulls them is called the tow boat. And that, of course, is where "tow path" comes from.'
On a barge-related note, Minna Graeber reports the following gem:
As I was having supper in a lovely hotel in Burnham-on-Crouch, I overheard a group discussing a woman in her 60s who was trvalling the country single-handed in her own barge. 'And how is it that she got interested in such a thing?' asked one of the women. 'Did she have a husband who was interested in it who sparked her love of barges?' 'No, apparently not!' replied one of the men. 'But I tell you one thing that rather spoils it all. She's got hairy armpits!'
It's isn't often that I'm lost for words, but honestly!
And finally...
Well, this made me crack a smile, anyway
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