Castle Camps

Weather

Warm and sunny. Strong cooling breeze which brought a chill in the early evening.

Departed SOS just before 9am. Well I left Fairways at that time but it was a good half hour before I had reached the outskirts of the town - someone really should build a new road !

Reached the Essex / Cambs border about 11 and gained entry without visa / passport requirements. I guess they will not be seeking independence following this week’s elections. As planned I explored this remote part of Cambs for a couple of hours. Very attractive countryside - generally undulating with fields of arable separated by thick hedges and clumps of trees.

Only one settlement of any size - Castle Camps which had some lovely thatched cottages some dating back to the seventeenth century. A short drive out of the village I discovered the fifteenth century parish church adjacent to a seventeenth century farm house occupying the site of a motte and bailey. The church was open - only because the lady was polishing the brass ! This church was a real find with architecturally interesting wooden beams that apparently were until recent times hidden by plasterboard !!!! Now fortunately exposed in their full glory. Beyond the church it was possible to make out some of the outline of the motte and bailey and the moat (probably not original) could be seen.

Continued my travels around this delightful area finishing up in Bartlow which was distinguished by the round tower of its parish church - something that you only find in East Anglia and Normandy. Inside were some unique wall paintings dating from the fifteenth century. At one time most churches were decorated with medieval wall paintings but most were covered in whitewash by the Puritans.

Arrived at the camp site in mid-afternoon and spent the rest of the day pitching camp and having a general sort out. Meal was a satisfying pasta although not to my usual standards as of course I did not have my kitchen garden to hand.

Weather seems set fair for next couple of days at least. Gentle bike ride of some 30-35 miles planned for tomorrow.

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