Clacton Arts & Literary Society

MV Pocahontas and Greenwich trip. – By Jennifer Kersey 22nd June 2010 – 11:09pm We set off `shining and shipshape` on time and were soon traversing the lovely Essex countryside on the A12 heading towards our destination-Gravesend (the original one had been changed at the last minute due to the captain informimg the society that extra mooring charges would be incurred if we met the boat at this departure point.) All was going well until we encountered a very large problem at Hemel Hempstead, where a large hole had appeared in a newly surfaced part of the carriagway, caused, aparently, by a water main bursting below-several cars had gone through the water, not realising there was a large hole in the middle of it and a huge backlog of traffic was the result as others collided! Our knowledgeable driver moved slowly in the queue until we got to the next slip road and soon we were on the `scenic route` to Grays, pausing only for a short `comfort stop` and to meet up with the other coach, before pressing on to our destination. Only slightly behind schedule,we were soon aboard-it was a lovely summer`s day, and the captain told us,via the PA system on board, all about the places we were passing along the Thames on board MV Pricess Pocahontas -very informative and `peppered` with amusing anectdotes. Apparently the Disney version of the Princess`s life was somewhat `glossy` and quite far removed from the true facts-although she did lead a very productive one, albeit short and achieved much-her final resting place is in a Thameside graveyard. We went under the magnificent Queen Elizabeth 11 bridge and through the majestic Thames Barriers and, finally, on to our destination. Time at Greenwhich was short, due to our late arrival, but some managed to have a quick look around the many things to see here. Our journey back along the Thames was swift and `en route` we were all treated to cream teas which we eagerly devoured! The trip home, aboard the coach, was very smooth-however, there were still huge queues on the other lane of the A12 heading in the opposite direction, no doubt caused by the problem earlier on-we were very relieved that we were travelling in the opposite direction! Another fabulous day-well organised(as usual) by the society and easily up to the high standards we have become to expect of it. Jennifer Kersey.