le TOUR de FRANCE - AN INTERNATIONAL DAY

As owners of a VW campervan we have become part of a strong community and this weekend saw us at a 'Bundle of Dubz'.  This is a familiar weekend activity for us, and I love the diverse group of people we meet and have come to know.  But todays event was marked by something else, because on our journey we discovered that we were driving along the route of tomorrows le Tour de France.  The cyclists will be coming through Essex and all along the route there were houses decorated with bunting and the stirring of excitement.  I couldn't resist some photos as we travelled and I may go and watch the cyclists as they pass through.  Last time we saw so many cyclists was at the British Olympics, when Haleigh Farm hosted the Mountain Bike event.  But back to today, here are some of the photos I mentioned:

 

Extra car parking has been set up as roads are to be blocked off for the event.

 



 

An elephant decorated with bunting

 

Barriers are already  in position, the arrows show the cyclists the route.

 

And as for the Bundle of Dubz....  here are a couple of photos I took.

 

 

No - this one is not in need of repair.  This VW is known as a 'Ratty'  and it is meant to look rusty and like this.  People go to great lengths to achieve this look!

In contrast, this is an iconic 'split screen' VW that has been slightly modified!  As the information below shows, it has been shortened by 4ft 10 inches but what it lacks in size it makes up for in engine.   I believe the photo below was taken at Santa Pod race track.  It's raring to go!!

As for our camper - it does not stand out like these. It was designed for practically, comfort and as an every-day vehicle .  It is a second home-on-wheels and we get away in it as much as we can.  And while we did not expect to be placed, for a bit of fun we decided to enter the 'Show and Shine' competition.  The added information on our entry said:

 'We didn't plan to enter, so no shine - just show!' 

Needless to say we didn't come anywhere, but it was a fun day made memorable by the le Tour de France route.  And it was all the better because it was unexpected.  I love it when that happens!



5 in 5 - July 2014 - PAYCOCKES HOUSE

                                        Welcome to '5 in 5' where on the 5th of

each month I post 5 photos that I have

taken in 5 minutes. 

 

 

I received an email from a friend offering me free admission to a National Trust property and not wishing to waste this opportunity we took a drive out to Coggeshall. It is some years since we last visited Paycockes House and our day turned out somuch more than we expected.  Don't you love it when that happens!  The admission also allowed us entry to Grange Barn which is the largest barn in Europe and looked the size of a cathedral. At the barn there was an impressive exhibition of tools once owned by a local Ecclesiastical Master wood-carver Bryan Saunders,  his work is renowned in churches throughout the country and in USA. I noted some are in local churches, so visits are planned. Also nearby is part of a remaining Abbey and a Mill House, so lots to see and do in Coggeshall.  And Paycockes House also has a beautiful garden - just perfect this months 5 in 5 photos:

 

 

 

' DO IT WITH THY MIGHT' 

I hope you are inspired to get out your camera and join in this photo challenge. Here is the plan:

1.  Choose a location.

2.  Have your camera ready.

3.  Set a timer for 5 minutes (I use my mobile phone).

4.  Take as many photos you can until the time is up.

5.  Choose 5 photos to download and share by using the link tool below.
     You have until the 25th of the month to add your photos.

There are more details here.

And one more thing - when you use the link tool, please click on your post title.  This will show the web address. Please right click, copy and paste this as your link.  This will take readers directly to your '5 in 5' blog page and be easier for them to find.

Thank you to those who have taken part so far, I have loved seeing your photos and hope you will be back with more. 

And don't forget, you have until 25th to post your link
 

  Thanks for popping by!