Family time.

Plans were changed last night as we were going to move today to get closer to Limehouse but we had a rearranged date with Helen's Uncle and Aunt. 'Uncle' Stephen came and collected us  along with daughter Amy and took us to their house at Repton Park, Woodford Bridge. It is on top of a hill set in 145 acres of park and woodland that had been designed by Sir Humphry Repton. In 1893 the fifth London Lynatic Asylum known as Claybury Hospital. It housed 4000 at its peak. Inevitably times changed and the NHS wanted demolition everything for new housing. English Heritage and the Council argued to retain as mush as possible along with new sympathetic buildings. The planning was passed after a public inquiry in 1997.

Claybury Asylum

We then went out for lunch into the countryside to a pub called The Moletrap which was an olde worlde place that was very busy. I had the meat pie that was very nice indeed and a couple of pints of Brewers Gold by Crouch Vale in Essex. It was a beautiful pint and quite the best I have tasted for a good  while. It had been beer of the year a couple of times in 2005/06 I think it was.

The Moletrap pub.

We went back for a cup of tea and then it was time to beat the traffic and get back to the boat. It was lovely to get out into the countryside of Essex and Epping Forest. It was also great to see them both looking so well and hale and hearty. It was a shame we missed cousin Alexandra.

Helen, Uncle Stephen, Tony and Aunty Norma

We just had time to pop in to Tottenham Hale to visit the fabric warehouse that we had been told about by a Gongoozler at Stockbridge Lock. There was loads of stuff there and as they manufacture it there the prices were either £1 or £2 a metre. We came out with loads in two bags for £10.

We have to be up early in the morning as we have another date with relations in London.