Day 6 & 7 November 27 & 28 Braintree

Two days combined because of not too many photos!

Day 6 Tuesday, November 27th  Our first whole day in Braintree.  It was cold, overcast with occasional drizzle/rain.  We picked up our hire car before 1000 and then went for a quick shop in Tescos (you have to do it!).  Then we went to visit my 99 year-old Aunty Ruby who lives in her own home in Braintree.  She keeps remarkably well and is full of interesting conversation and so we were pleased to have a coffee and long chat with her.  She is not as mobile now but has a superb memory and we were able to learn quite a lot.  We eventually said our goodbyes and made arrangements to call again on Thursday.

We then went to Freeport designer outlet village in Braintree.  We had a spot of lunch in Thornton's café and then one of us had a bit of retail therapy for an hour or two including the Wyevale garden centre.  We then progressed to the Lidl store and Ernest Doe the farm 

Wyevale Christmas tree

shop before returning back to the Premier Inn.  Braintree town centre is deteriorating with less individual shops and more charity shops and estate agents.  After sorting ourselves out and packing a parcel ready for posting we went to a nearby pub a really good dinner.  The rest of the evening was spent watching some football over the internet on the computer,  reading and preparing for the next day.  Only one photo worth putting on here!


Day 7 Wednesday, November 28th   Another largely dull day but with some sunshine.  We went into Braintree and posted our parcel.  I went back to my primary school which is now Braintree museum whilst Christine looked round the shops.  It was the first time I had been back since I was 11 and it was interesting to see the old classrooms and the local exhibits.   It included a quote from possibly one of our Savill ancestors. 



were we involved in the wool trade?

one of our ancestors?

our family involved?

major Braintree employer

Our next visit was to Braintree cemetery where we put some flowers on my parents' grave and cleaned everything up.  We then drove to Chelmsford, visited some shops, had a light bite at M & S and then went to visit our friends Dave and Linda who we had known since living in our first marital home.  Dave has sadly developed motor neurone disease and this restricts severely what he is able to do.  They had visited Scilly on a round-Britain cruise in early September when we had seen them.  We stayed and had some tea and then a meal.  There was much reminiscing and talking over of the good old days.  Eventually it was time to say our farewells and we returned to our hotel after quite an interesting day.