DElivErED To ThE EssEx Towns oF ThE cEnTral linE anD bEyonD
BONFIRE NIGHT
FrEE
CENTRAL
ThE local magazinE For local pEoplE - issuE 48, novEmbEr 2017
ALL THAT GLITTERS Local Guy Fawkes Celebrations
LOCAL NEWS
Sparkle Your Way To Christmas
WHAT’S ON Keeping You Up To Date
Events To Entertain
...Tickets to the Eat & Drink Festival ESSEX
GRAND TRUNK ROAD SPICE UP YOUR CHRISTMAS THREE COURSE FESTIVE LUNCH £28.50 THREE COURSE DINNER £38.50 AND FOUR COURSE TASTING MENU £48.00
"A food journey from Kabul to Kolkata" Seasonal Set Lunch menu Tuesday to Saturday 12.00 noon to 2.30pm
Express Lunch One Plate £ 12.50 Two courses £15.50 & £18.50 for three courses per person - Until 30th Nov OR
Sunday Spice Roast Family Lunch between 12.00pm to 3.30pm
NOW OPEN SUNDAY EVENINGS 5:30PM - 8.00PM
219 High Road, South woodford, London E18 2PB
Tel 0208 505 1965
www.gtrrestaurant.co.uk
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HELLo!
EDITOR Darren Perry
Welcome to the November issue! This month we feature local fireworks events and share a recipe for toffee apples to enjoy round the bonfire.
CONTACT Darren@essexcentralmagazine.co.uk Tel: 01787 583152
We also have reviews of two restaurants, one local and one up London which are perfect for your festive celebrations in the run up to Christmas and our fashion page covers party season outfits to take you through to New Years Eve.
advertising@essexcentralmagazine.co.uk
Our what’s on pages are bursting with local events on page 36 and we also have a bumper news section this month.
Victoria Grace
ADVERTISING FEATURES EDITOR
Personal Trainer Danny Cohen is also making a return with his health and fitness tips, this issue he talks about the importance of flexibility and how to improve it.
Lauren Brown Designs
Hope you all have a safe bonfire night, see you next issue for our Christmas special!
CONTRIBUTORS
Darren Perry Editor/Owner
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3 Blue Worldwide Ltd
Local News Bonfire Night All That Glitters What’s On Competition Win Tickets to Eat & Drink Festival
HEALTH & FITNESS Flexibility Matters
Essexcentralmag @Essexcentralmag
FOOD & DRINK
HOME & GARDEN
31 33
21 27
FUN & GAMES
Home Trends November Gardening Guide
TRAVEL 28
4
Bali Travel Feature
ESSEX CENTRAL
Victoria Robertson, Abbotts Travel, Danny Cohen, Nick Ritchie
PUBLISHERS
ON THE COVER 8 12 15 36 39
DESIGN
31 42
The Bluebell Review Plate Review
Puzzle Corner Entering Fatherhood without a Map
Distributed residentially each month to homes, as well as high street businesses, industrial estates and at underground stations throughout the following towns: South Woodford, Woodford, Buckhurst Hill, Chigwell, Loughton, Debden, Abridge, Theydon Bois, Epping, North Weald, Ongar, Wanstead. Although every care has been taken to ensure accuracy, 3 Blue Worldwide Ltd take no responsibility for any errors, or the advertisements within this magazine.
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LOCAL NEWS KEEPING YOU UP TO DATE
Recycling to be rewarded with new Epping Forest Recycling Rewards scheme Every month, the six residents who have earned the most Green Points will win a £25 voucher for their efforts from a choice of: Marks and Spencer, iTunes, Love2shop, local leisure centres, or they can chose the option to donate to their favourite charity from a shortlist. There will be extra opportunities to win vouchers in raffles, or if their block of flats is a top performer.
Epping Forest District Council is launching a brand new scheme: Epping Forest Recycling Rewards. The scheme will reward residents taking part for recycling their waste correctly. “Recycling – It’s Worth It!” - the scheme is certainly making recycling worth it, with prizes for top performing residents and blocks of flats, as well as community prizes of £1,750 for local charities. The scheme is open to residents of selected blocks of flats in the district and will be delivered on behalf of Epping Forest District Council by specialist recycling reward scheme provider Local Green Points.
The scheme will also be supporting four local charity and community projects with £1,750 in donations in the first year. Residents will vote for their favourite local charity and the more points each community earns, the more money they will be able to donate. The local projects being supported this year are Epping Forest Community Transport, Chigwell Riding Trust, Epping Forest Foodbank and Safer Places. Environment Portfolio Holder for Epping Forest District Council, Councillor Will Breare-Hall, said: “We know that recycling rates in flats are below where they should be. This scheme is a wonderful opportunity for residents in the selected blocks of flats to get rewarded for improving that situation. We hope that it will encourage them to do as much as they can so we can increase recycling rates across flats in the district and improve the quality of recycling collected. We’re also delighted to be supporting some fantastic local charities with this scheme.”
Specially trained door knocking teams will be visiting over 1,600 properties across 100 flat blocks in the district to offer recycling advice and help residents sign up to the scheme.
Any resident who signs up to the scheme will receive a discount card and key fob for use at 75 local businesses. Residents can show their card or key fob redeem special offers or discounts, such as a 10% saving or free tea or coffee with breakfast.
Once residents have activated their accounts they are placed into one of nine communities, and can start to earn ‘Green Points’ by recycling more. Residents can also earn Green Points by reporting what they’re recycling, using a recycling centre or reporting fly tipping.
if you run a business in the district and would like to be involved, please contact local green points on 020 7326 5055 or email info@localgreenpoints.com to find out more.
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ESSEX CENTRAL
Abbotts Travel and Chigwell Golf Club present Indochina
Abbotts Travel has organised a very special client night on Thursday 2nd November, featuring some incredible locations, previewed by guest speakers from a selection of handpicked resorts. Co-hosted with Chigwell Golf Club and Western & Oriental, the evening begins with a focus on Indochina: its essential experiences, culture, elite hotels, resorts, tastes and local knowledge. The latest addition to the Abbotts Travel Golf Collection a selection of Europe’s finest golf resorts - will also be introduced. Plus a representative from one of London’s most indulgent boutique hotels will be sharing her knowledge of luxury getaways closer to home. In attendance will be ambassadors from Vidotour (Vietnam), Aqua Expeditions, Western & Oriental, Song Saa Private Island, Hapag Lloyd, Fusion Maia Danang, Anantara Hotels, Finca Cortesin and The Hari. Abbotts Travel's managing director, Julian Abbott, said: “Following the success of our first showcase in March, and the wonderful feedback we received from our clients and Chigwell Golf Club members, we thought this was a fantastic opportunity to highlight the delights that Indochina has to offer. At Abbotts, we’re all about telling, not selling, so we’re thrilled to be introducing a fantastic region alongside the people that know it best.” For more information or to register your interest, please visit www.abbottstravel.com/showcase
1NE 30th Anniversary
1NE is still offering unrivalled rehabilitation services to drug and alcohol addicts after 30 years in business.
It offers non-residential therapy programmes that have a 70% success rate. It achieves this by being nonresidential and offering counselling programmes that fit in with the working lives of its clients. It was set up to provide rehabilitation services in north east London and it’s still based in Redbridge. While being nonresidential most of 1NE’s clients come from the local area so it really is an Essex company. The counselling programmes range from evening and weekend sessions for those who work full-time to two-week assessment periods for those who can take time off, then, depending on their needs they will continue. One of the unique thing that 1NE also offers is counselling for the addicts’ relatives and children. There are flexible group or individual sessions, but 1NE prides itself on it being sociable too and recently took children on a day trip to Kew Gardens. So it’s rehabilitation with a smile at 1NE and even Iain Duncan Smith MP has called it, “One of the best, if not the best treatment centres in London.” Co Founder Fiona Dunwoodie feels that, “As an independent, 1NE can offer this kind of personal treatment to clients, but the rehab industry is being overrun by big and faceless national providers.” Her hopes for the future are that 1NE keeps doing its good work. www.1ne.org.uk
ESSEX CENTRAL
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SAYING HELLO TO ONGAR MONTAGUES NEW OFFICE IS NOW OPEN professional photography and floor plans as standard, all viewings are accompanied and properties are advertised on rightmove.co.uk, onthemarket.com as well as their own recently rebranded website, www.montaguesproperty.com
Building on the same principles that have made their Epping office so successful, Montagues Estate agents have announced the opening of their new branch in Ongar. Montagues are already well established within the town, having been letting properties for over 20 years and selling for the past five. They are now looking forward to offering clients an even better service in Ongar & the surrounding villages with their presence on the High Street. With members of their team being lifelong Ongar residents, there are few people who know the area as intimately. Montagues offer a full sales service which includes
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ESSEX CENTRAL
With over 20 years experience of dealing with lettings & property management you can be confident as a landlord you are in safe hands and covered by all current and new legislation. Montagues provide you with a tailor- made management service which include rent guarantee policies, rent collection and regular property inspections. Advice on all legal aspects is standard. Montagues will continue to look for ways in which they can support the local community through various sponsorship's and donations, as they have done with great success over the past 20 years in the nearby town of Epping. Director Wayne Flegg says: “having opened our Epping branch in 1995, spending the past 20 years expanding our lettings portfolio and five years ago launching our sales department I feel now is the right time to progress. I have a strong, bright and loyal team who are all excited by this new chapter in Montagues development.�
To mark the opening they are offering a 25% discount (offer expires 31.12.2017) on both sales and lettings fee's (terms apply) for all new landlords and vendors in Ongar. if you are looking for a fresh approach to selling or letting your property then contact their friendly ongar team today 01277 285808
CLEANING • STAIN REMOVAL • PROTECTION • ALLERGY TREATMENT
Quality, professional cleaning services for your carpets, upholstery & more! For a free, no obligation quote contact Manj on: Mobile: 07949 455 189 Freephone: 0808 143 1310 Email: manj@safeclean.co.uk
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★
RemembeR, RemembeR
★
THE 5TH OF NOVEMBER CELEBRATE BONFIRE NIGHT WITH A BANG! The safest place to enjoy fireworks night is at a properly organised public event, of which there are many happening locally. If you are planning on having fireworks at home then make sure you follow safety instructions and why not try your hand at making our bonfire toffee apples, perfect for enjoying around the fire.
5. Allow to cool and set before serving.
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4. Carefully dip each apple into the hot toffee and twist until coated. Let any excess drip away before placing on a sheet of baking paper. Before the toffee sets you could add various toppings such as crushed nuts, sprinkles or chopped dried fruit.
50m
2. Put the sugar and water into a heavy based saucepan over a medium heat. Cook for approx. 5 minutes until the sugar is dissolved and then stir in the syrup and vinegar. 3. Boil the mixture until it reaches 150 degrees.
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1. Wash apples thoroughly, dry and remove stalk. Push a skewer into the stalk end of each apple.
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can
100ml water
Guy Fawkes Night is a celebration of the failing of the Gunpowder Plot on 5th November 1605
rliest
400g golden caster sugar
The word for firework in Japanese is ‘hanabi’ which means ‘fireflower’
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Fun Facts A ro
INGREDIENTS:
★
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Bonfire Toffee Apples
★
Local Fireworks Displays ★
GUY FAWKES FESTIVAL
Family fun activities from 2pm featuring Slime Making and Lantern Making for children. A short theatre production, Musket Firing, takes the audience into scenes from the plot. Science shows with Professor Nitrate explaining the science of explosions, and a Stuart Foods Experience where visitors can learn about the Stuarts' eating habits. Hot food available. Fireworks display 7pm (last entry 6.30pm). Online booking. saturday 4th & sunday 5th november at royal gunpowder mills, beaulieu Drive, waltham abbey
ST JOHN'S FIREWORKS DISPLAY Gates open 6pm-9pm. Bonfire 6.45pm; fireworks 7pm. Barbecue and refreshments. Children £3; adults £6; family ticket £15 (two adults and up to three children). For tickets email admin@loughtonchurch.org.uk
safety first
★ always wear gloves when handling sparklers
★ never go back to a lit firework ★ before lighting the bonfire ★
check for animals and children
never use flammable liquid to light a bonfire and keep a bucket of water or hosepipe nearby incase of accidents
pets indoors, if you go ★ Keep out leave a radio on for them to minimise the noise
saturday 4th november st John's Field, church lane, loughton
ABRIDGE FIREWORKS & BONFIRE Funfair, live band, food stalls, licensed bar, free parking and disabled parking. All proceeds go to local good causes. Gates open 4pm; bonfire lit 5.30pm; guy judging 6pm; fireworks display 7.30pm. Live band 'The Issues' will play once the display is finished. Tickets (now accepting card payments) are £5 for adults (17 years +), £3 children (3-16 years), under-3s free. For sale by ringing 07958 535971, or by calling in to the Shell Garage, London Road, Abridge. sunday 5th november at abridge village hall, ongar road, abridge
ONGAR’S FIREWORKS SPECTACULAR
★
Organised by Ongar Round Table in aid of SNAP charity. BBQ, bar, children’s & adults’ rides, toy stalls & music by Forest Radio. Advance ticket prices: Adult £5, Child £3, Family ticket £13 (2 Adults & 2 Children). Gate ticket prices: Adult £6, Child £4. Tickets available at John Sears Estate Agents, Ongar Academy & Ongar Primary School. saturday 4th november at The ongar academy, Fyfield road, chipping ongar cm5 0an
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The Voujon Chingford Indian Restaurant
We invite you to embark on a culinary journey of the Indian subcontinent and explore the many regional styles of cooking that india has to offer. from south to delhi and Punjab in the north,from goa on the western coast to Hyderabad and central and eastern india, discover for your self the hidden flavours and aromas of individually prepared dishes from these regions.
Now taking Christmas and New year’s eve bookings! Open: Sun - Thu: 05:30 pm - 11:30 pm Fri-Sat: 05:30 pm - 12:00 am 166 Station Road, Chingford, London E4 6AN Call us : 020 8524 8666 / 020 8524 7666
www.thevoujon.co.uk
All thAt glitteRs
THE PARTY SEASON IS UPON US, UNLEASH YOUR INNER MAGPIE WITH THESE SPARKLY PIECES GUARANTEED TO TURN HEADS. crystal cluster choker necklace £12 lipsy
luna sequin star slim leg Jean £35 simply be
For subtle sparkle try these jeans from Simply Be. We love the cute moon and stars motifs.
miss selfridge
sequin court shoes £48 wallis
For full on Christmas glam grab this Vero Moda red sequin top. Pair with black jeans and you’re good to go! vero moda red sequin Top £40 littlewoods.com
v by very Embellished mesh Top £35 very
premium black occasion Dress £39.99 new look
sequin biker Jacket £75 simply be
gold one shoulder Dress £59 Topshop
Ditch the LBD this New Year’s Eve and make an impact in this all over gold sequin dress from Topshop instead.
alice navy sequin clutch bag £20 JD williams
geometric sequin skirt £39 oasis
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We are no now wt taking aking Chris Christmas tmas order orders s for y your our Christmas Christmas Logs Logs and other other festive festive c cakes akes Order in store store or online: @ www.belgique.co.uk www ww w.b .b el giq ue.c o .uk C Collect ollect fr from om y your our l local ocal Bel Belgique gique p pa patisserie atisserie EPPING / Theydon Theydon B Bois ois / Chingf Chingford Chingf ord / s south outh w woodford oodford / W Woodford oodford green / w wanstead wans anstead
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ESSEX CENTRAL
The Kenneth More Theatre presents
uc b h s a w The S
kling Pantomime Adv entur
e!
TICKETS NOW ON SALE
Thurs 7 Dec 2017 - Sat 13 Jan 2018 020 8553 4466 • KMTHEATRE.CO.UK ENTERTAINING ILFORD SINCE 1974
Kenneth More Theatre, Oakfield Road, Ilford, Essex, IG1 1BT
LingoZingo Private Tuition
All teachers very experienced, fully qualified, DBS-checked and local. Fully qualified, experienced, DBS checked teachers. Bespoke lessons, usually available in your own home.
Languages - GCSE and A level support, and adult tuition for leisure and business
Maths and English for primary and secondary students
Preparation for 11+ examinations and for entry to local Independent Schools. Want to offer tuition? If you are a qualified teacher please get in touch. Excellent rates of pay, choose hours to suit you. Please call Jo Schwartz
T: 07726 949215
email: joschwartz1@gmail.com www.LingoZingo.co.uk
THE GARNON BUSHES Singing LIVE Tarrin
13 Coopersale Common, Coopersale, Epping, Essex CM16 7QS
Tel: 01992 560211
E-mail: info@garnonbushes.co.uk
Saturday 11th Nov Traditional Family Run Pub
Take away's
Warm atmosphere, friendly service and great food
on Friday and Saturday
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Fish Fryday - fresh from Grimsby!
Quiz nights
We look forward to seeing you soon.
ESSEX CENTRAL
Special Menu nights
LIVE
Music nights
Flexibility mAtteRs BY PERSONAL TRAINER DANNY COHEN
It is very important when working out that muscles are warmed up and ready to be stretched as they become more pliable and work better for a workout. Getting the full range of movement is not only better for your body, it is more beneficial for your workout as you would be hitting more muscle fibres, burning more calories as a result and improving your strength/endurance thus improving your shape. It is important that the stretches are done correctly as most of the time people just rush in and rush out of the stretches and are not in the correct position to stretch them efficiently. When you stretch a muscle, the muscle spindles contract first to stop any imminent danger that a sudden movement would cause, the GTO (Golgi Tendon Organ) overrides the muscle spindles, but not until around 30 seconds, allowing the muscle to relax and the be able to be stretched more thoroughly. So when you’re in the gym and just rush through the stretches, chances are that you’re probably not really getting any stretch at all, just pretty much changing position and just going through the motions.
flexors. This would also have an impact on posture over a longer period of time. Also hydration is a big part in the adaption of flexibility. Make sure that you’re always hydrated, keeping you cool if/when working out and to help with rehydration after exercise. This is important for muscles as they are around 70% water by weight and a loss in water would possibly result in cramping/pulling muscles. But hydration is a whole other topic… For more information or to arrange a consultation with Danny visit: www.dannycohenpt.com
That being said, the main muscles that usually need stretching are Hamstrings, Quads, Calfs, Chest and Lats. While there are quite a few different types of stretches: Static - ballistic - dynamic and PNF, it is always better to speak to a professional when doing these as you want to get the most out of them and make sure you are doing them properly. There is also foam rolling or what is called SMR (Self Myofascial Release) which is like a cross between stretching and massage. This will help to roll out knots in the muscle and give more length to them adding better range of movement and allowing the use of more/all of the muscle. This is something you should definitely ask a professional about first as this is very beneficial, especially if you play sport or do things with a repetitive movement. Anyone that spends long periods of time in a seated position i.e. students, people who drive for a living or spend long times commuting or behind a desk really need to stretch, especially their hamstrings and hip
ESSEX CENTRAL
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WE WISH YOU A HAPPY
Christmas Party
EAT, DRINK & BE MERRY AT THEYDON OAK
LIVE MUSIC
EVERY THURSDAY, FRIDAY & SATURDAY NIGHT IN DECEMBER! TASTY & TEMPTING 4 COURSE SET MENU THURSDAY £24.95 FRIDAY & SATURDAY £29.95 9 Coopersale Street, Epping, Essex, CM16 7QJ
Tel: 01992 572618
Email: info@thetheydonoak.co.uk
Open 7 days All Day til Late Serving Food Daily Mon - Sat Lunch 12pm - 2.15pm Mon - Sat Dinner 6.45pm -9.30pm Sunday All Day 12pm - 7pm Find us on Facebook and Twitter
HOME TRENDS
A LiTTLE iNspiRATioN foR youR HomE
LET THERE BE LIGHT British furniture designer and manufacturer Blackbird London have launched their debut furniture collection, Let There Be Light, in-store and online. The collection comprising of handcrafted tables, mirrors, lighting and accessories, was designed by Founder & Creative Director, Maggie Calmels and her partner Louis, taking inspiration from the cosmos and solar system. Each piece of furniture is handmade in their central London workshop, where they have devised a range of metal textures specifically for the collection including the popular ‘crater’ finish which evokes the pitted surface of the moon and the ‘ripple’ texture which represents the sand dunes on Mars. To complete each item, Blackbird London hand-apply metallic finishes in old gold, antique silver, bronze and white bronze to represent the colours of the cosmos. www.blackbird-london.com
LOG CABIN LIFESTYLE Throw yourself into Tolly McRae’s ‘Log cabin lifestyle’ blankets and wraps and feel snug as a bug for winter. The luxury blankets and cosy travel wraps create an exquisite cottage vibe for a lazy Sunday with the family or a chilled day out with friends. Whatever comfort you need for the day, Tolly McRae has literally got you covered.
The Cashmere Mix Throw is relaxing and soft, perfect for those cold winter nights. Whether it be a lazy evening or a break from your busy life, unwind and relish the comfort of the soft alpaca and merino wool. The checked dusky charcoal with chalk white finish adds a classic vibe for any occasion. The luxurious blanket is perfect for draping over the furniture to add comfort and character to your home. Cuddle up beside the fireplace with their Alpaca Mix Throw! The chalky white tone with a touch of grey and beige emphasise that classic look, perfect for a modern living room or a cosy cottage cabin. www.tollymcrae.co.uk
TOP DOWN, BOTTOM UP! If you have been looking for a window covering that prevents passers-by from looking into your house during the day and can also be used to darken your room at night then take a look at these amazing new Duoshade Top Down/Bottom Up blinds from Blinds 2 Go. As practical as they are pretty, this collection of top down/bottom up pleated blinds has a free hanging system that gives you customised shading however you need it. Add in little thermal pockets to trap the heat and you've got privacy, protection and a ton of comfort all year round. www.blinds-2go.co.uk
ESSEX CENTRAL
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Award
Winning SALONS SALONS
tikadi IS DESIGNED BY
ONGAR
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Salon Scout Rating Salon 5/5 Team 5/5 Overall experience 5/5
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PESTS & DISEASE Winter moth caterpillars will eat holes into the leaves on many fruit trees and ornamental trees. The adult moths emerge and lay eggs between November and April. Place a sticky grease band or barrier glue around the trunk and tree stake (if signs of the moth are present) and keep the area sticky until mid-April.
gARdening WITH VICTORIA ROBERTSON A SEASONAL GUIDE TO HELP YOU GET THE MOST OUT OF YOUR GARDEN.
Enjoy natures very own firework display this month. All around their will be amazing bursts of colour in our gardens, woodlands and parks. On the ground a beautiful tapestry of leaves and when walking through them a refreshing crunching crisp sound. If you want to add more autumn interest into your garden these plants will certainly help: ✿ Cornus alba 'Siberian Pearls' has a magnificent show of bright red stems with clusters of plump white berries perfect for an amazing display. ✿ Pennisetum compressum, Chinese fountain grass is a plant which gives almost all year round interest in the garden. It is a low-maintenance plant, which quickly forms a clump, so is ideal for filling gaps in perennial and shrub borders. ✿ Grass Uncinia Rubra Everflame is ideal for planting in containers or at the front of garden borders where its evergreen foliage will add drama and structure all year round. ✿ Skimmia japonica is an evergreen shrub that has aromatic, bright glossy green
foliage, with deep red flower buds that are held throughout winter. It will look great if planted in a pot outside your front door and will really help to brighten up your entrance. In the spring the buds will open to dense clusters of pure white flowers. Wrap up your pots which contain evergreens with bubble wrap for extra insulation and move them to a sheltered area near the house for the winter. Apply a mulch around the crowns of perennials to improve the soil and give extra protection for the plants against hard weather. This monTh you can planT rosEs inTo wEll prEparED grounD Roses are easy to grow all they require is lots to food and water, they need to be planted in a sunny position and will require some TLC. • Dig a hole big enough for the roots. In the bottom place in a handful of bone meal and mix it with some of the soil. • Put the rose into the ground and fill the hole with soil that has been enriched with organic matter. • Water in well
WILDLIFE WATCH There are 18 species of bats in Britain. Periods of torpor are lasting longer this month and some will begin hibernation to save energy over the colder months when insects are harder to find. Bats need time to find and explore new homes. So be patient if you have put up a new bat box as it may be several years before the box has residents. by victoria robertson, amenity horticulturist and committee member of copped hall & Epping horticultural society & chairman of Epping in bloom.
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HAVE A BALL IN
bAli Bali is perhaps more 21st century than the island that fills your imagination, but just a short step away from the beach resorts, you’ll find a Bali brimming with romance that etched the pages of Eat Pray Love. The rich assortment of beautiful beaches include the relaxed charm of Sanur where the beach slopes gently into the crystal waters; the golden sands of the more exclusive Nusa Dua; the rolling waves of Kuta and the darker sands of Seminyak. Home to scores of restaurants, clubs and designer shops – Seminyak’s flash sense of style will make visitors feel as though they’ve stepped onto another Island. The upmarket town is somewhere you could easily spend your entire holiday. Seminyak is also known as Bali’s spa capital, although the notorious Taksu Spa is situated in the town of Ubud. With a long list of treatments available, alongside an open invitation to roll out a mat and embark on the journey of yoga, a visit to Taksu Spa is a must. Ubud, an hour inland, is the island’s cultural and artistic heart, with spectacular rice terraces overlooking river valleys and intricately carved temples hidden away in the lush hills. The town’s popularity continues to grow, mostly due to its appearance in Liz Gilbert’s adventures, and is home to a noticeable expat community
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where days can easily turn to months. Perhaps one of the most mesmerizing images of Bali is sunset over the stunning temple of Tanah Lot, set on a tiny island off the coast. The rock formation is a tourist hotspot and cultural icon. Hire bikes to explore Nusa Dua and cycle the 5km beach boulevard before trying out some water sports. To experience the bigger waves (which Bali is famous for) join the avid surfers at some of the best beaches in the world, or hit the waves at nearby Kuta for a family surfing lesson. On the stunning north-west coast of Bali is The Menjangan, a peaceful retreat located in the heart of unspoiled West Bali National Park. With over 175 species of plants and 160 different bird species the park is a wonderful natural haven in one of the least-visited parts of the Island. Explore the jungle on foot, jump on a mountain bike or experience the park’s beauty on horseback. Whichever you choose, keep your eyes peeled for the thriving wildlife. Home to a beautiful underwater world it’s also popular among the diving community. But if snorkelling or diving doesn’t appeal to you, then kayaks are available, allowing you to explore the best of the bay and mangrove maze. One of the most popular dive sites on the Island is the wreck of the US cargo ship Liberty in Tulamben. The
town’s ethos surrounds diving, but even snorkelers can swim out and enjoy the wreck and surrounding coral. When it comes to shopping the markets are hard to beat, particularly for batik cloth, ikat fabrics, woodcarvings, and paintings. If you wish to try some authentic Indonesian food visit one of the many warungs (street stalls) or Rumah Makans (small restaurants); specialities include Nasi Goring (spiced fried rice), Babi guling (roast suckling pig) and Ayam goring (fried chicken). There’s plenty to see in Bali, as well as an array of accommodation. The dry season, between May and June, is the best time to visit. We’ve teamed up with our friends at Premier Holidays to present three of our favourite resorts that we’re sure you’ll love…
GRAND HYATT BALI The five-star resort oozes luxury,
making it the perfect destination for newlyweds. Conceived as a water palace, this cluster of Balinese style villages is spread over 40 acres with a series of lakes, waterfalls, lagoons and manicured gardens leading to beautiful Nusa Dua beach.
Blending contemporary design and traditional architecture, the peaceful courtyards, spacious terraces and private gardens create an intimate feeling. Inviting rooms and villas have panoramic vistas and views
By day there are all manner of sporting activities to tempt you away from the pools and golden sands, as well as the chance to unwind at the spa. By night, there's a superb choice of restaurants and a lively night market with cultural shows, food stalls, a handicraft exhibition and bazaar-style market. Upgrade to the highly recommended club rooms and you will receive access to the club lounge, which boasts a view overlooking picturesque gardens. Honeymooners who stay at least seven nights receive one in-room honeymoon breakfast and one dinner with a cultural show.
MENJANGAN The Menjangan resort is relaxed, casual and quiet. It covers a large area which adds to the feeling of peace and tranquillity, so doubledecker safari-style minibuses carry guests smoothly and easily between the resort’s various accommodations, dining spots and facilities - including the unspoilt beach. The buses are equipped with spotlights for impromptu wildlife
sightings after dark – you never know what you might see! The resort is hard to beat if you seek a place to appreciate the sound of birdsong, the whisper of trees in the ocean breeze and the surprising delights of marine life whilst snorkelling or diving. It’s ideal for those who want to sample wellbeing and nature with the choice of a host of activities.
ALILA UBUD Perched high up on the edge of the Ayung River valley this hillside retreat sits amid striking scenery, with breathtaking views of rice paddies and rainforest.
from the impressive pool are simply spectacular. For more information contact Abbotts Travel.Travel abbotts
134 george lane south woodford E18 1ba Tel: 0208 989 9445 www.abbottstravel.com
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117 High Rd Chigwell, Essex, IG7 6QQ TEL: 020 8500 6282 www.thebluebellrestaurant.co.uk
Christmas & New Year at the Blue Bell
the bluebell RestAuRAnt Make no mistake, we LOVE this restaurant. The food is always perfect, the service is always superb and it’s exceptional value for money when you’re planning a great evening out. We began our evening with a couple of cocktails in the lounge area before going through to be seated, and enjoyed our welcome amouse-bouche, a delicious salmon tartare to get the taste buds going, alongside our warm selection of bread rolls and salted soft butter. For starters we had the classic Seared Devon Scallops with Honey Roast Pork Belly, Granny Smith Apple, Pea Shoots & Truffle Dressing. The scallops and pork melt together in the mouth and the flavour of the truffle dressing makes each bite mouth-watering. I went for the signature Bluebell Prawn Cocktail with King Prawns, Lobster, Avocado & Citrus Fruits, the mouthfuls are big, the seafood is chunky and it’s a far cry from the standard ‘prawn cocktail’ offered by many other restaurants. For mains I had the Honey Roasted Belly, with Pan Fried Tenderloin & Barbeque Rib of Free Range Pork with Spiced Apple, Tender stem Broccoli & Cider Jus. Again, the meat just fell from the bone whilst the al-dente Broccoli gave a firm contrasting bite, and the accompanying vegetable medley of carrots and green beans was seasoned to perfection.
Strawberries’ which consisted of: Iced Strawberry & Lime Parfait, White Chocolate Cheesecake, Pistachio Sponge, White Chocolate Aero, & Almond Crumble. The chewy pink centrepiece was fun and packed with flavour, while the pistachio sponge helped soaked up any remaining drops of ice cream at the end. Coupled with this we went for the ‘Pina Colada’ which was a Toasted Marshmallow, Caramel Roasted Pineapple, Coconut Ice Cream, Mango & Lime. This tropical delight had a real blend of flavours, from the blow torched marshmallow to the sweet and juicy pineapple residing on the layer above, it was exquisite and a lovely way to end a meal without feeling heavy and bloated. We will most certainly be coming back as The Bluebell is quite possibly our favourite restaurant in the whole of Essex, it still amazes us the consistent quality of the food, every time we go, whether it’s for a weekday lunch or weekend evening, and the price for these dishes is incredibly good value from Gavin and his team. May they keep producing these superb dishes for many more years! www.thebluebellrestaurant.co.uk
My companion opted for the Fish of the Day, at the recommendation of our waiter, which was Line Caught Cod, served with Mussels, Chorizo, New Potatoes, Pak Choi and finished with a Light Curry Sauce. The portion of cod was generous and delicately flaked away, plunging into the delicious curry sauce to give a wonderful mix of flavours and I couldn’t resist taking quite a few mouthfuls from her plate. For dessert we had the ‘English
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Merry Christmas
Book your Christmas Party with us We a
re open Christmas Da
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served with platter of authentic Italian cured meats Monday-Friday £20 pp / Saturday £26.95 pp
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Procecco is served for a period of two hours
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572 995
New Opening hours – 11:30am – 00:30am Lunch Deals Available 11.30am - 3pm
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RestAuRAnt Review NICK RITCHIE VISITED THE NEWLY OPENED PLATE RESTAURANT AT M BY MONTCALM. HEADED UP BY CLASSICALLY TRAINED CHEF PATRON ARNAUD STEVENS, PLATE BRINGS A TOUCH OF FRENCH FLAIR TO SHOREDITCH. The service we received from the second we walked into Plate Restaurant until the moment we walked out was simply first class. We were shown to our table which was situated by the front window overlooking City Road which was bursting with life, as were the delicious cocktails we had ordered, mine being a Long Island Ice Tea and my partner had a Mrs Marmalade which truly went down well. Next we were greeted by the wonderful Tanilos who was on top of his game regarding service and hospitality and with that handed us some freshly made sour dough bread and to accompany this was a whipped butter which was lighter than air but still held its own in the butter department. As we were sitting at our table we were very impressed with the layout of the restaurant and bar not to forget the open kitchen which was lit up with enthusiasm. Shortly after finishing the bread our starters arrived with myself choosing the Salted Squid which was sea fresh and so soft and is up there with some of the best squid I've tasted. My partner went for the Goats Cheese, Shallot and Thyme Tart which was light, rich and savoury. Personally I am not the biggest goats cheese fan and even I was taken by the amazing flavor combinations of the tart. Once we had finished our starters Tanilos asked us if it was okay to start preparing our mains which was a nice touch instead of just assuming we were ready and with that he also recommended wine to go with our dishes, mine being a red to partner my Breast of Guinea Fowl with a Foie Gras
Bread Sauce and my partners was a white wine to compliment her Dingleberry Pork Chop. The guinea fowl was tender and wellseasoned, the accompanying foie gras bread sauce was delicious. My partner’s pork chop also was seasoned beautifully and was tender but didn't lose the attitude of a well-cooked pork chop. After our main was complete we asked for a dessert menu and chose the Blackberry, Lime and Pistachio Tart and the Salted Caramel Eclair which was the highlight of the night for me. The eclair was wonderfully rich and definitely moreish but not overpowering. The tart with fresh blackberries was bursting with flavour and even the tart base itself impressed. All in all we had a fantastic night with great service and food all round and will truly recommend it to all for a special occasion. www.mbymontcalm.co.uk
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whAt’s on YOUR LOCAL EVENTS GUIDE
LOUGHTON BRIDGE CLUB A good standard of duplicate bridge in a friendly environment. See our website for details www.bridgewebs.com. Every monday & wednesday, 7.10pm - 10.30pm at oak view school, whitehills road, loughton ig10 1Ts (monday), grange Farm centre, grange Farm lane, chigwell, ig7 6Dp (wednesday)
THE THEYDON JAZZ CLUB Featuring top quality live traditional jazz bands for listening and/or dancing. All welcome (disabled facilities), visitors and/or new members welcome, phone Dave Dyer 01945 588325 for details. 1st & 3rd Tuesday of each month at Thornwood village hall Epping, weald hall lane cm16 6nb
perfect place to enjoy a run. £3 per session, no booking required. Every Thursday, 7pm at Fairlop waters, Forest road, barkingside ig6 3hn
COMMUNITY ALLOTMENT If you enjoy gardening and would like to help maintain an allotment site but do not want the responsibility of managing your own plot, then volunteer to help out at our Wanstead Community Allotment. We want to hear from you! For more details email sports.development@visionrcl.org.uk Every Friday, 10am-1pm at redbridge lane west, wanstead
FIREWORKS DISPLAY &
QUIZ NIGHT Cash prize to be won. Tel: 01992 572618. Every Tuesday at The Theydon oak
Dining & pub, coopersale street, Epping cm16 7QJ
LADIES RUNNING CLUB Come and join our social running group for ladies only. Set yourself targets and push yourself or just be comfortable running at your own pace plus Fairlop Waters is a
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sunday 5th november at abridge village hall, ongar road, abridge
BUCKHURST HILL HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY With Nina Lewis giving a talk on 'Growing exotics in Woodford'. The talk follows the AGM. Free entry for members, £1 nonmembers. Refreshments. For more information ring chairman Maureen Briggs on 0208 504 8436 or email mbriggs@uwclub.net monday 6th november, 7.30pm-9.30pm at st James’ united reformed church, palmerston road, buckhurst hill
ONGAR ART SOCIETY
A demonstration of painting and collage by Sylvia Paul : ‘A Street Scene’: using Acrylic and Collage. Sylvia exhibits across the UK and internationally and has recently exhibited two of her landscape collages at The Royal Institute of Water Colour Artists. Visitors £4. Thursday 9th november, 8pm-10pm at high ongar village hall, The street, high ongar
ARMISTICE SERVICE BONFIRE Funfair, live band, food stalls, licensed bar, free parking and disabled parking. All proceeds go to local good causes. Gates open 4pm; bonfire lit 5.30pm; guy judging 6pm; fireworks display 7.30pm. Live band 'The Issues' will play once the display is finished. Tickets (now accepting card payments) are £5 for adults (17 years +), children £3 (3-16 years), under-3s free). On sale by ringing 07958 535971, or by calling in to the Shell Garage, London Road, Abridge.
Choral service with hymns for the congregation. For more details, ring Jane Begley on 07572 111387 or email jane.begley@irwinmitchell.com saturday 11th november, 10.30am at church of the holy innocents, church lane, high beach
ART SALE
Ongar Art Society's winter art sale. Original art work on sale. Tea/coffee and cake. saturday 11th november, 9.30am-4.30pm at budworth hall, high street, ongar
FARMERS MARKET
Produce stalls and local organisations. Loughton Residents' Association councillors on hand to respond to residents’ questions and problems. sunday 12th november, 9am-2pm at centric parade, high road, loughton
VENISON WORKSHOP
Skin, butcher and cook venison in a woodland setting. Discover what to do with the bones and antlers. Venison lunch provided and a bag of venison to take home. Over-18s only. £110 per person. Booking required. Ring 020 7332 1911. saturday 18th november 10am-4pm, the venue will be confirmed at time of booking
ST JOHN'S AUTUMN FAYRE
Bottle tombola, raffle, cake stall, jams, jewellery, children's craft activities, refreshments - lunches served from noon. Licensed bar. For more details email admin@loughtonchurch.org.uk saturday 18th november, 11am-3pm at st John's church hall, church lane, loughton
GUIDED TOUR
Tours last two-and-a-half to three hours and cover the gardens, a large part of the mansion, cellars and stables. Entry £8 per person. Tea, coffee and homemade cakes available in the Racquets Court where there is also a shop selling books about Copped Hall and a range of gift items. Second-hand books on sale in the mansion. There are also permanent exhibitions on site. sunday 19th november, 10am at copped hall, Epping
DEER WALK
A guided walk looks at how deer have adapted to exist alongside humans in the 21st century, the effects they have on their surroundings and the challenges that they face. The walk includes a visit to the Deer Sanctuary at Theydon Bois. No dogs. £5 per person. Booking required. Ring 020 7332 1911. 19th november, 9.30am-1.30pm at lodge road car park, Epping Forest
CHRISTMAS MARKET
Proceeds to St Mary the Virgin Church. Admission £1. Stalls will include homemade cakes and preserves, jewellery, clothes, bric-a-brac, tombola and raffle. Refreshments available all day. sunday 19th november, 10am-2pm at stapleford abbotts at stapleford abbotts village hall, stapleford road, stapleford abbotts
For more details, ring Jane Begley on 07572 111387 or email jane.begley@irwinmitchell.com Friday 1st December, 6pm-9pm at church of the holy innocents, church lane, high beach
ADVENT ACTIVITY DAY
Free activities for children with all-day buffet and pancakes. For more details, ring Jane Begley on 07572 111387 or email jane.begley@irwinmitchell.com saturday 2nd December, 11.30am -2pm at church of the holy innocents, church lane, high beach
VOLUNTEER DAY
Help to improve the wildlife habitats and maintain the landscape of at the burial park. Training and tools provided. Wear weather-appropriate clothing and sturdy boots, and take own food and drink. For more details, ring Sam on 01992 523863 or email sam.thompson@greenacresgroup .co.uk Tuesday 28th november, 10am-3pm green acres Epping, Kiln road, north weald
CHRISTMAS MARKET
Some 20 stalls, pancakes, hot chocolate and seasonal music by children’s choirs.
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EPPING ONGAR NGAR RAIL RAILWAY LW WAY
VISIT V SIT SANTA SAN NT FESTIVE FUN DECEMB
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2 3 9 17 21 2 10 16 2 23 24
2017
Santa and his fantastic tic team are cco comingg back to the t Epping p g Ongar Railway for the he 2017 Santa n Specials! p We’ll have hav the t R Redbridge Christmas-themed edbridge Brass Band, Christmas -themed t e market and n of o course s ensur ns e tthat a ride on o the h Santa on his special train. You must Epping Ongar Railway Christmas. ay is part of your family il Chris risstmas. ass.
2017
ON N HIS H S SPECIAL CIA AL L TRAIN TRAI AIN
Our buses collect you fr om right outside Epping Undergr ound from Underground Station making it super easy for people living close to the Central Line. Fares are £17.50/£20 per person(dependingonda ay) yy) and include a Santahimself. himself. free gift for all childrendeliv deliveredattheirseatb ySanta Compartments for 6or or8people 8 peoplef ortheexclusiv euse useofof y your family are also available available.
eorail eorailway.co.uk waay.co.uk
01277 365200
@eorailway @eorail waay Epping Ongar Rail Railway waay
MySchoolOpenDays.co.uk We connect nurseries, schools, colleges and universities with parents and students, providing all the information needed to help make informed decisions when choosing education establishments.
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ESSEX CENTRAL
@myschoolopenday
WIN TICKETS TO THE EAT AND DRINK FESTIVAL 2017 The Eat and Drink Festival 2017 takes place at London Olympia between 22nd and 26th November, bringing together artisan food producers, street vendors and mixologists along with experts in modern cuisine. An exciting line-up of celebrity chefs and professionals including Gregg Wallace and Rosemary Shrager take to the Foodie Stage to deliver Christmas-inspired recipes and masterclasses about everything from German wines and macaroons to a vegan Christmas and leftover Boxing Day pizza. Italian-chef Gino D’Acampo also appears along with wine-expert Olly Smith who demonstrates how to pair wines and dishes for the perfect festive taste. Sample and shop for fresh produce and handmade products in the Artisan Producers Market, offering everything from balsamic vinegars, oils and pastries to bakery treats, gin-liqueur cakes, flapjacks and Christmas puddings. Stock up on festive treats, find gifts for the food lovers in your life and taste the finest chutneys, pickles and jams. Visit The Great Eat to discover the globe’s favourite flavours, where dishes are crafted by the country’s most celebrated street food visionaries. Whether you fancy fajitas, burritos, curries, pizzas, pastas or ice cream, grab a bite and tickle your taste buds with worldwide culinary delights. For a taste of something closer to home, stop by The Streets of London and try samples of the best eats from across the capital. As well as enjoying the Eat and Drink Festival, tickets gain access to the Ideal Home Show at Christmas which returns to Olympia for its seventh consecutive year and runs alongside the festival. The show features eight dedicated sections across home and lifestyle including home improvements and outdoor living; style; Christmas decorations; a Christmas arcade with toys, games and books; kitchenware; and the new-for-2017 Pet Pavilion. For your chance to win one of four pairs of tickets to the Eat and Drink Festival (children under 16 enter free), see the entry details below. For more information of show tickets visit www.idealhomeshowchristmas.co.uk/london
TO ENTER: Fill in the entry form and send to: Essex central magazine, brickfield business centre, high road, Thornwood, Epping, Essex cm16 6Th, enter online at www.essexcentralmagazine.co.uk or email your details to competitions@essexcentralmagazine.co.uk Closing Date: Four winners will be picked at random on Thursday 16th November.
EAT AND DRINK COMPETITION
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puzzle CORNER
ANAGRAms Rearrange the letters to find these 8 trees:
DlraE _ _ _ _ _ lvsirE / ibcrh _ _ _ _ _ _ / _ _ _ _ _ socsT niEp _ _ _ _ _ / _ _ _ _ hycw / Eml _ _ _ _ / _ _ _ iwlwol _ _ _ _ _ _ hlzEa _ _ _ _ _ EssilEs / aoK _ _ _ _ _ _ _ / _ _ _ homnrbaE _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _
suDoKu
DIFFICULTY: MEDIUM
WoRd sEARCH Find these Bonfire Night words: sparkler bonfire guy Fawkes gloves rocket gunpowder Explosion bang colourful glowing
For puzzle solutions please visit www.essexcentralmagazine.co.uk
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enteRing FAtheRhood WITHOUT A MAP...
Jake’s speech is starting to slowly come along, but the words he’s chosen to begin his vocabulary repertoire are somewhat dubious. He’s starting to sound like a market trader and his phrase of choice seems to be “morning bubble”. His first word was ‘bubble’ and he likes to throw it in with any new word he learns, this has given us a few chuckles but it’s his chirpy market trader character that has forced me to pre-order a flat cap for Christmas. I’m hoping to get a good deal on a pound of bananas once he opens his fruit ‘n’ veg stall. His brother on the other hand needs to learn how to use fly spray, and understand that trying to swot a flying insect with a toilet brush is not the way forward. We had an incident last week where we suddenly heard grunting and frustrations from him whilst in the toilet upstairs, then we heard a thud and so promptly ran upstairs to find out what the commotion was.
“
I found George standing in the middle of the bathroom, looking up to the ceiling and frantically around the walls whilst aggressively holding a toilet brush. Before I had the chance to ask, “What are you doing?!” his face lit up as he saw the fly once more and immediately launched a savage attack, swinging the toilet brush back and forth like a man possessed. This would have been fine… if the brush was clean. I tried shielding my face but it was too late, myself (and the bathroom walls) looked like we had caught the plague, it was utterly grotesque and stank to high heaven. “STOP!!” I yelled (whilst covering my mouth through fear of
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more flying debris) “Put it dooooown!!” I closed my eyes and lunged to grab him, my initial surprise was how small and bristly his head felt, and I opened my eyes to find myself falling into the shower as George looked on curiously. As I began to hit the floor I threw out an arm to stabilise myself and succeeded in turning on the hot water. I genuinely can’t remember feeling as low before as I sat there in the shower, fully dressed, getting pelted by boiling water, with bits of brown grudge splattered across my face and gripping the wrong end of a toilet brush.
My initial surprise was how small and bristly his head felt
”
It was at that moment that Vicky entered the room and asked what on earth I’d been doing. George and the fly just stared back at me, and the one saving grace was that the scolding water was starting to clean my pebble dashed appearance, although it was simultaneously melting the skin from my bones. I said no more of the incident and tried to continue getting us ready for our day out, we were off to the zoo.
I started to think that the monkeys might smell me coming and throw their own welcome presents my way, but thankfully remembered the Perspex partition was between us. After washing vigorously with industrial cleaning products and a scourer I dressed again and we headed to the zoo although I was
still mildly blind and my skin was almost luminous as I strutted through the gates and we made our way around the animals, ultimately ending up at the monkey enclosure. Personally I'm always a bit uncomfortable seeing animals held in a zoo, but I also appreciate they’re treated very well and ultimately it gives younger generations the chance to see these animals up close, giving them a greater appreciation of them which should teach them to be more respectful and conscious of their environment’s as they grow up. This wonderment was very much etched across the face of both, especially Jake, who kept pointing at each one, calling them “bubble”. We explained the word was actually “monkey” and his attempt came out as “Mummy”. For the next 15 minutes the other visitors laughed on as every monkey was eagerly pointed to with the yell of “Mummy! Mummy!” I loved it. Try as she might to correct him, Vicky was on a losing battle and eventually gave up defeated. It had been a day to forget for both of us, with Victoria being continually referred to as an ape, and myself having a rather troublesome bathroom encounter, but thankfully the kids had enjoyed it. As I laid down in bed later that night I had one thought on my mind… tomorrow I'm going to get that fly.
…To be continued
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