alt_ron | Flyin' Rye-wards

Those of us who went had a brilliant time. You should all think about coming next Thursday if you couldn't make it today. We decided we shouldn't say in the journals where we're going next time or where we're leaving from, so if you want to come, drop me a PM or an owl, and I'll tell you the details.

Anywiz, it was great. We met up at Greenwich at the top of the park, by the Observatory, and we left from there. We gave everyone's brooms a look-over as they turned up and had a bit of quarreling about whether everyone who came really knew what they were putting in for, but everyone wanted to go, so we did. Hope we didn't leave anyone behind who wanted to come, but we'd given you fifteen minutes by then, so we went ahead. I mean, it's Greenwich, innit? No excuse for not leaving on time from there!

We flew along the Thames for a bit and then turned south across Kent. It was really decent weather--just some drizzles in the morning. But we hadn't even gone close to an hour before the whingeing started. So we set down someplace called Sevenoaks, where Archer knew there's this awesome house called Knole that's almost big enough to be a castle. We set down in the park outside it, which I hope the owners didn't mind, but there were a few people who decided they needed to drop out, and it turns out there's a Floo office in town, so they went off there and I hope they got home with no problems.

It was all brilliant after that, though. We got to Rye in time for lunch out on Camber Sands. And after that we did some sprint flying up along the shore to the marshes, but then the winds came up well stiff and were buffeting people right round. Which, one way of thinking about it is that it was a true agility drill fighting through those sorts of gusts, but it wasn't what we'd meant to do, exactly, so then I decided we should go back up into town and see if the streets were less windy, which they were. So then we flew squadron pursuits through the alleys in the old parts of town where the houses are really close together and hang out over the streets.

It was too snitch for snidgets, that, really. Only, it was a shame about the spill you took, Li. Those cobbles looked fierce where you went down on them.

Anywiz, when the rain started really chucking down, we stopped into this inn called the Mermaid that's been there since medieval times, and we got to talking to a couple of old chaps who told us all about how the fishing'd come back and was best in the country now that they'd got muggle crews to dredge out the old harbour right up to the old docks and fish stalls. And how they'd completely got rid of all the hideous muggle buildings and roads and all and how the estuary was recovering and all the birds and fish and animals were back.

But then they told us we'd been well daft to go flying out over the marshes like we did, because the other thing that's back out there is smugglers! So that got everyone buzzing, you can guess. About how people thought they'd seen something or heard something or wasn't there smoke from a cooking fire out over the horizon and a load of nonsense, really.

And then we came back by Floo from Rye because we were all well tired and the rain wasn't letting up.

Mum had stew ready for supper and loads of it, which was brilliant because I could've eaten a horse I was so hungry when I got in.

But I'm totally ready to go again next week, y'know. Who's in?!

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

From:

alt_justin

Hullo, Ron,

Yes, it's quite a shame about all the rain, what? Mrs Montague had to move her garden party indoors.

Remy and I have been thinking of going to the swimming pool in St George's, as the Jugsons haven't one of their own. I say, did your sister say something about swimming? Have you got a place to swim, then?

Between these clubs, Mrs Jugson's social engagements and all the tutoring they've arranged for me, it's hardly felt like summer.

-Justin

From:

alt_ron

Well, there are some ponds out here and places where the river has deep spots where you can swim. I don't actually know where she meant.

I thought she was coming with us today, but then she didn't, so no telling.

Maybe she's going in to swim in New London. You know about the Serpentine, the lido in Hyde Park? And I think there's a bathing place up in Hampstead Heath, too.

So you were at a garden party instead of flying with us?

Did you have to get all kitted up for that?

From:

alt_justin

Yes, Mr Jugson arranged for us to go to St George's though, as it's ~~apparently cleaner~~ indoors, so it shan't matter if it's raining.

And yes, it's been garden parties and parlour teas and all manner of outings. Luckily I've also had some summer-weight robes done, though I think perhaps not enough, what. I've already had to have everything laundered twice.

I think Remy and I might be able to shake loose Thursday next, though, if you send along the information. I'm sure I may borrow a broom from Mr Jugson.

-Justin

From:

alt_ron

Where's St George's? I've never heard of it.

If you can come, we're going to meet at the central Floo office in Avebury at half-nine. We'll go out to the circles and do some Ley Lining, which is a nift bit of touch flying that can really give you a different feel for your broom. I've only tried it twice, but Avesbury's the place everyone says you've got to go to really properly fly ley.

When we're done there, we'll fly to Salisbury for lunch. And then we're going to head down the coast, flying over the New Forest. There's a channel down there between the coast and the Isle of Wight, so we'll get to do some more shore manoeuvres and people can Floo home from Lymington. It's about 60 miles on the broom, like today.

From:

alt_justin

It's just outside New London, near Whitechapel and Wapping. Supposedly it used to be frequented by Muggles and Wizards but it's been done over and now it's sort of a private swimming club. Mr Jugson said he didn't want us going in where just anyone could swim, since who knew what might be in the water, what? He said the Serpentine sometimes has leeches in.

I'm well sure Remy would like the ley flying. I'll tell him about it.

-Justin

From:

alt_ernie

If you flew to Sevenoaks, you weren't far from ours at Hever. If I'd been with you, we could have done a flyover!

Sounds as if you had better luck with the rain than we've had out here, at any rate. I've been out charming our tent stakes to keep them in the ground.

Count me in for next Thursday, yeah? I'll see if I can't get Smith to come along. Especially if Finch-Fletchley's going to be there.

F-F: are you in for next week, then?

From:

alt_justin

Hello, Ernie,

Yes, I think we're both coming--me and Remy, what.

It'll be brilliant to see you and Smith. What of any of the rest of the side?

-Justin

From:

alt_ginny

Sorry Ron. I forgot that was today, I had go sees to do this morning, so I had to do some training on my own. However I am completely free next Thursday, and I am definitely in.

Edited Date: 2012-07-06 04:42 am (UTC)

From:

alt_ron

Good.

From:

alt_sally_anne

I'm in if the Strettons will let me come. Even if it's STILL RAINING.

Bloody hell, I don't know if I'm more annoyed by the rain, or the complaining about the rain, at this point. I hope you have better weather in New London, but even if you don't at least you won't be sleeping in TENTS.

From:

alt_ron

Well, all right, then!

And, yeah. The weather sounds as if it's been completely foul in Cornwall. Shame about that. About the whingers, too.

I mean, it's the same at home, of course. But it was a bit better in New London this morning. Not so great in Rye, but not all dire, all the time.

From:

alt_ron

If you can come, we're going to meet at the central Floo office in Avebury at half-nine. It's going to be brilliant. We're going to start with Ley Lining, since Avesbury's the place everyone says you've got to go for flying ley.

Lunch in Salisbury along the way to the Solent, flying over the New Forest. We'll get to do shore manoeuvres there, and people can Floo home from Lymington. It's about 60 miles on the broom, which is what we did today except for Brocklehurst and Midgen, who should've listened when I said I didn't think they realised what the trip would be like. I mean, Midgen!

And Brocklehurst. I couldn't believe it when she was waiting at the top of that hill by the Observatory. I think she'd have seen sense, though, if it hadn't been for Midgen. Course, they weren't the worst ones complaining when we got out over the countryside. That was the Stevens sisters, which, I mean, you can't tell Lizzie Stevens anything, can you? I tried, really, but no. Because Effluvia got into CCF and all, so they were definitely coming and that's it. Well, and actually, Stebbins was the absolute worst, but then he didn't make the cut for CCF, yeah? So I should've known he couldn't fly for spit. Anywiz once the others started moaning, he's the one that said we had to stop. He was stopping even if no one else did. And then it was all of them. Honestly.

And then Effluvia stayed, after all, only she was better once Lizzie'd gone. I expect she'll be sore tomorrow, though. I don't think she'd ever done more than fly in a park before. Or with Hooch at school to pass her fistie standard. But that's what this is about, yeah? Trying out new stuff and getting better on our brooms!

Edited Date: 2012-07-06 08:01 pm (UTC)