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As we pulled into the parking area of Moor End Farm, we could see the our new friends had arrived and were waiting by our door. We quickly went over to introduce ourselves and invite them into The BYRE, which we were very proud of. Lisa and Simon actually knew Sonia and Paul already.
Since I have never opened a bottle of wine which had a cork correctly, one of the gentlemen offered his services. For some reason, I always end up with the cork inside the bottle! We had two real wine glasses, and some smaller juice glasses which substituted fine. This was one of the bottles which we had carried all the way from home, and Sue had complained so much about as being heavy! :)
Sonia and Paul couldn't stay as they had other appointments to keep. They live in Suffolk and had made the trip (about 45 minutes each way) just to meet us and take us sightseeing and of course meet Sonia's parents at The Bell Cottage. As they left, Sonia said that she would be back on Sat. morning before we left, so as to take us to the airport. WONDERFUL!
Since we had the photos in hand as we came through the door, having just shown them to Dave and Ann, we put them in the center on a foot-stool along with some which Linda and Barry Barker had brought. The only thing I could offer in the way of snacks was a bag of chips which I had brought from home. They didn't seem to mind. We enjoyed the rest of the evening sharing photos and tales. We are related to these Barkers through some gggrandfathers who were actually brothers. The link was their parents, Thomas Barker and Sarah Speller. Our Barker link is from William Poole's (senior) wife..my great grandmother, Hannah nee BARKER POOLE. Hannah remarried a William BURLES after William POOLE died, in 1891. Hannah died in 1905, again a widow. Please e-mail me if you would like more information on this, as I THINK I have it straight now, thanks to Lisa. William Poole Sr., Hannah, and Alfred (11 years old) were living at Brick End Cottage in the 1881 census.
#2 Barry, Ann, Lisa, Simon, Sue and Evelyn
#2 Barry, Ann, and Simon Cooper, Lisa's husband.
#3 Barry Barker looks at photos.
#4 Linda Barker, Lisa (Barker) and Simon Cooper.
I had noticed that Lisa was sitting on the edge of her chair, but thought it was because the chair was quite large. All of a sudden she reached behind and brought out a beautiful basket which she had filled with jams from nearby villages. There was also some delicious salmon-spread like I had never tasted before! It was wonderful! Lisa owns a flower shop and that is why it was so professionally wrapped with ribbon, flower etc. She said it was from all of them, and we certainly did enjoy it. My mornings, upon returning home, were made a little more exciting by the fact that I had real English marmalade and jams for my toast! They are such nice people. Lisa also brought me the new book on the history of the Five Parishes, Broxted, Chickney, Tilty, Great Easton and Little Easton. This is a wonderful little book that I was going to purchase myself. Lisa is such a thoughtful young lady. It has in it, the little story about the school cooking lessons which Mom wrote! If she only knew that she was PUBLISHED! What a thrill! I refer to this little book very often.
The evening went by very quickly. This was still Thursday! All four had to get up early as they work. Barry and Simon both work at Stansted airport. We were sorry to see them go. Sue and I had packed so much into this one day! The long walk to the church, and back, meeting Mr. Monk, and Mr. Knowles. Then meeting Paul and Sonia and visitin the Easton Ford, the Gt. Easton Church, Gt. Dunmow, shopping, visiting The Bell Cottage and having tea with Ann and Dave Reynolds, and last but not least, our lovely visit with Linda, Barry, Lisa and Simon. Yes, it had been a very busy day and since tomorrow would be spent mostly in walking, we had better "turn in" soon...but of course..it was not dark! So much had happened that it made it impossible to sleep anyway with thoughts going through my head about the day's events. Trying to tell myself that all of this did really happen and I wasn't dreaming! There was just enough wine left for a night cap for both of us. This was good "ginger mead".. this was a very good day!
Next Walk with us to TILTY!