Once finished we met up with Jade and Leon outside Bond Street station , hugs all around and we all parted ways. Leon to go home, Evan & Jason off on their forest walking adventure, and us girls SHOPPING!!!! SALES!!!!
We went into Debenhams , Katie bought two tops ....:)
House of Frasier ...so many shoes...Katie was in heaven. She even bought boots...didn't even look at the price and went straight to the counter with them and handed over the card!! lol...I'm thinking a complete re packing of her suitcase!!! lol
Next up was John Lewis.....I bought two jumpers for 2 for the price of 1, Italian cashmere cotton ...1 for Evan and 1 for Jason....sadly nothing for me...But I could hear a collected sigh from Evan that the credit card wasn't empty....But there is still plenty of time. It was lovely having the time with Jade and really appreciate it more because she wasn't feeling 100% .
We left Jade at 4.30 as she had other things to do. Made plans to hopefully catch up on the day we leave to come home.
Katie and I made our way back to the apartment to unload, change shoes and then rest a bit as Katie's knees were a tad sore....then let the boys know that we were on our way. They were in a Pub....tough life!! Katie took the lead with the trains we were taking.....I kept Jason up to date by text as to where we were.....I did however ask during the trip are you sure its mansions that we get off instead of staying on the Piccadilly line to Manor house???? Katie was positive it was Mansions...another text to Jason that we had nearly arrived at Mansions house and got a reply with WHAT???? Katie had indeed stuffed up....we should have stayed on the Piccadilly to Manor house station...lol So get off and find the right line and turn up an hour later than what we should have.....:) Off to Jason's house for dinner and Dr Who.
Evan & Jason's Bit
After a quick hello to Leon & Jade and asking if Leon wanted to go with Jason and I for a nice stroll through Epping Forrest he declined. (it turned out to be a good decision for him). Jason decided to stop at Stratford Staion to look for a Kindle Paperwhite for part of his Xmas present. There is a Westfield shopping centre there that was built for the Olympic games last year. It is right next to the Olympic Stadium and Pool area. This shopping centre is five stories and the largest shopping centre in Europe. Not bad for an Australian company. After trying 3 shops we gave up no one had any stock apparently very popular Christmas present this year. Back to the station and on our way to Epping. We past villages and farm land asked Jason how far out we were it is less distance than it is to our home from Perth to Wellard amazing use of land in a high population city. Arrived at Epping it was now 1.30pm. Walked for about 20 mins before reaching the edge of Epping Forrest. Epping Forrest was handed over by Queen Victoria for public use. It was her hunting grounds which she had never been to. The only time she was there was to officially hand it over to the public. It is one of only 3 old growth forests left in England and one of the largest (sounds great doesn't it). As most people are probably aware London had about 40mm of rain lately. About 1/2 of what we could get at home in a day of solid rain.
When we finally reach an entrance we had to cross a cricket field to find a hidden path on the other side. The cricket ground was grass covering mud and my first concern of what might lay ahead. Found the path which was just mud and proceeded to find the main path. Once we were on one of the many pathways it did improve to the occasional quagmire. It is a nice walk which reminded me of many medieval films which has very similar settings. The occasional creek with small bridges would be a great walk in summer without the slush.
We were trying to head towards the centre of the forrest where there is a information centre and pub. Occasionally you come across a carpark with a map of the area and your only reference apart from map boy jnr who assures me he knows where he is going. After an hour we come across the second map of the day and realise we are heading away from the pub. We need to go straight and head right on the next path we see. After a short walk I notice a path to the right and said this is where we need to go. Map boy jnr disagrees and we continue straight. After another 15 mins walking come to the end of the path and he realises we should have turned right. I now take control and we head off on another path that was skirting the edge of the forrest. The pathway is muddy but at least we are not in the middle of an unknown area. Pass a few people and come out near some houses. I asked a lady walking her dog where the information centre was and she looks at me blankley. It was a very long walk where we needed to go. She asked where we really needed to go and said we want to finish at Chingford. Looks at us now concerned gave us directions mentioned all the mud and said don't forget it will get dark shortly. Now I'm starting to get concerned but off we go. A lot more mud more people and a nice little bridge great finally on the right track. The path stops after the bridge and could not find any pathway to continue on. Heard some people over the ridge and headed in that direction. Finally found a well defined path and continued in the direction of the setting sun. The pathway came to another intersection and Jason said we need to turn right. OK I will put my faith in you again but note everyone else is going straight ahead. We came to another road crossed over where there was new fencing and Jason could not remember seeing this before but we will press on. Eventually he relaxed and said he knew exactly where we were. Came to a T junction and said turn right and we will come to the information centre and pub so off we go. The other direction is to Chingford. Five minutes down the path to a sinking sun I told him to give up and head back to Chingford. So off we go in the opposite direction and pass everyone we had already power walked past to some smirky looks. I asked Jason how much longer he says about 1/2 an hour I did not realise we were that far away. So pick up the pace and Jason is confident we are going in the right direction. 20 mins latter we come across a 4 way intersection and he looks concerned. If Jason looks concerned think how I now feel with the light fading fast. He tells me to stay where I was and he heads of down one off the tracks to get his bearings. He comes back with uncertainty in his eyes and decide to head straight. Passed a young couple pushing a pram which amazed me with the amount of mud. I asked them if this was the track to Chingford and I get another blank stare. Then something switched on in his mind and assured us we were going in the right direction. With very little light left and renewed confidence of we fly to be confronted with the worse amount of mud ever. It was a field of mud but had no choice so off we slosh and finally reach Chingford in the dark. Found our train station and Jason was staving now, we had had no food since our waffles for breakfast. Jason says there is a supermarket just up the road. We pass a pub and kept going after 5 mins asked were this supermarket was he is still saying not far. Saw a fish and chip shop and made the executive decision to stop here. Bought some chips and sat down to eat them. Jason checked the train time table and found out we had just missed one and next one was in half an hour. They should run every 15 mins but due to maintenance the time had changed. No problem back to the pub we passed and a quick pint. Cheapest pint so far. Outside of London they are cheaper 2.65 pounds. 1.99 pound breakfast.
After the pint back on the train to meet Katie and Sharon at Manor House. A few line changes and we were there near Jason Home. Got a message from Sharon that they were leaving shortly. Great time for another pint at Jason's local. Price of the beer now going up 4.50 pounds. Downed the pint and the next message from Sharon was they had 8 stops before reaching us. Jason realises straight away they were on the wrong train and heading for Mansion House. Jason is 17 stops away not 8. Time for another pint then and get ready to meet them at the Subway exits. There is 7 exits and had no idea which ones they were arriving at so waiting on the corner like a call girl they finally appear out of one and we are off to Jason's for a chinese dinner.
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