Boxing Day in Essex →[More:]
I've spent a lovely day with Terrapin and Turtlegirl today. We packed a lot into the day.

First stop was Upshire, where I showed them two things of interest - Rod Stewart's house, and the place where Boudicca, Queen of the Iceni, is reputed to have taken her life in the first century AD, which is commemorated by a temple.

Despite us trespassing on his land, we were not rewarded with the sight of Rod Stewart, wearing leopardskin pants chasing us off his land whilst asking if we think he's sexy.

From there we went to Greensted Church near Ongar, which is the oldest wooden structure in the world, dating from the 9th century.

I'd planned on us having lunch at The Bull at Blackmore (a pub which has a bunny run in its garden!), but it was a little early for lunch by the time we got there, so we walked round the pretty village, where I pointed out some of the traditional Essex pargeting on the buildings. It's an art that almost died out but is now being revived.

I wanted to show Terrapin and Turtlegirl one of my favourite parts of Essex - Maldon. We arrived at The Hythe Quay in time to see the Morris Dancers. We walked up to the end of the Hythe, along with lots of families enjoying the day. The weather was perfect - sunny and clear - and the light was gorgeous. And there were dogs everywhere - big dogs, little dogs, young dogs, old dogs! Dogs! Dogs! Dogs!

Then off to a pub for dinner - the Baker's Arms at Sewardstone. I'm glad to say that Turtlegirl is a woman after my own heart - we both looked at the dessert menu first, and we saved room after our meal for a warm chocolate sponge filled with a liquid chocolate ganache, mine served with cream and Turtlegirl's with ice cream.

Then, sadly, it was time to say goodbye because they had to get to their hotel in London, so I drove them to the Underground.

My usual Boxing Day is spent watching football and eating my own weight in chocolate, so it was lovely to be out and about, in great company, on a beautiful day.

Back to work tomorrow - Do Not Want!