Chiling in Colchester

"No Man Needs a Vacation so Much as the Man Who Has Just Had One" - Elbert Hubbard

Foodie moment

Mark's first pub meal in England at Wetherspoons Playhouse. As usual he couldn't resist a burger - while i dug into my English favourite - Scampi and Chips (and helped myself to handfuls of mint and HP sauce packets!!)

Delicious meal from Barbara - Lime and Parsley prawns, Fried Chorizo and Spiced Salmon (Sorry Barbara, couldn't remember the proper names

Unfortunately the cheese we bought Barbara from France was a non-foody moment as it was unbelievably stinky and strong and unfortunately inedible!!

Cultural moment

People in England still do a lot of their shopping on the 'High street' - small shops catering for all your different needs (chemist, greengrocer, clothing, bank, newsagent). There are very, very few 'shopping centres' as we have in Australia, in fact we have only seen one, just outside London (Westfield Stratford) which seems to be a tourist attraction. There is a decline starting in the use of high street shops though so perhaps these small shops are starting to lose out to the big commercial chains.

Wow moment

Cold weather, tiredness and the impulse to just stop after being 'go go go' in France meant we spent a lot of time relaxing and not much time out of the house so not many touristy moments.

We went to Whetherspoons pub, which is part of a chain, but this one was built in an old playhouse. It was quite cool, with some of the seating up on the 'stage'. When you looked back from the stage the upper dress circle was still there and they had set up an 'audience' to watch you eat!!

What we learnt today

Spring in Europe means rain, rain, rain (Not that we haven't already learnt that a few times this trip!!)