An adventure in the Forest

Despite living in the urban sprawly splodge known as London, a very short walk from my front door is a signpost proudly proclaiming "Welcome to Epping Forest", and below that a slightly enigmatic warning: "Beware of Cattle". And yes, there are trees and lakes and things, but no cattle. Usually I only expore the near bit of forest, being easily accessible, but on Saturday I got to go a lot deeper into the forest. The lovely happygoff and chewiemonster own a car, and so snow_leopard and myself ventured off into the deepest trees for a picnic. It was lovely, bar the threat known as "British Weather". Imagine the setting: A lovely little glade in the wood by a stream, picnic spread laid out, just broken open the champagne and sushi, lots of sun and big blue sky, happily watching butterflies flit between the trees, and very pleasant company indeed. No cattle in sight. Enter: Big dark cloud of big wet doom. Cue start of rain. Much panic ensues as we attempt to salvage everything from extreme dampness. Flee the forst, and get back to the carpark just as the rain stops and the sun returns from hiding. Plan B of picnic by the carpark works significantly better and is enjoyed muchly. Until we decide to put the kite together, and just as it's complete, the wind stops. Then the rain starts again. Oooops! We then have the urge to go shopping, so we hit the shopping extravaganza that is Epping village high street (all 6 shops or so...) and emerge triumphant with a fairy oil burner, and many other pretties. Yay! We then float back to London, having been driven the length of Epping Forest and seen no cattle. Pleasant day rounded off with impromptu BBQ, much playing of twister and watching a very odd film called Mulholland Drive. Yay!

And now I'm going to go all soppy and romantic. 6 months ago I fell in love with a very pretty thing. ( soppy soppy love stuff )