Earl Sees the World!

:thumbup: I love to read about the little guy's travels around the world
:thumbup: :thumbup: Nice to see you, Paul, taking care of Earl as he deserves
:thumbup: Andover is dear to me as this town provides me with spares for my Commando
 
We missed you, Earl!! Welcome back to the Limelight!! (Limeylight??:D)
 
It's great to see Earl has recovered and is ready to get on with it!
Go get 'em Earl!!!!!!:thumbup::thumbup:
 
Great stuff. Andover is a very interesting place. A major centre of Iron age goings on .
 
Thanks Guys, for the warm welcome back! Earl is really pleased to hear from you all:thumbup:
As it turned out, today was wet, cold and miserable so our well made plans to take Earl out and about have had to been dashed for the moment but we did fill him in on a little history of Andover over breakfast.
This is where Earl is staying for the next few weeks.


Andover's history goes back to the iron age and beyond but the first recorded details are from 955 AD when it was known as "Andeferas" It was a Saxon town.
One of the most memorable times in Andovers history is when the Viking king Olaf was baptised here in 994 AD apparently he cut a deal with the then English King who gave him £16000 (wow in those days) in return for him to not plunder and savage the kingdom and please go home. (fortunately he did)




Earl then decided to help me out in the workshop as it so miserable. Today I have been working on some fixed blades, i have to confess it was difficult with Earls beady eye looking over my shoulder, he is not so keen on these unfolding chaps.





After giving me his expert opinion on where i was going wrong he decided to visit Jan upstairs in her leather working room. He soon became bored and started trying on various pouches, posing for any sharp tool that took his fancy.

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Earl seemed to like the idea of a new out fit so much that Jan decided to measure him for a custom fit jacket of his own. (Earl chose the colour thinking British racing green would complement his sleek streamlined physique.


[URL=http://s1371.photobucket.com/user/masonknife/media/Earl/Earl%20030_zpssmibbxze.jpg.html]


Hopefully Earl will have his new jacket tomorrow to keep him warm and dry as we show him a bit more of the towns history, but for now he is happy to end the day with a nice pint.



See you tomorrow

Earl Paul and Jan
 
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I don't know if Earl brings out the best in folks or folks bring out the best for Earl, either way he seems to be having a grand time!
 
Loving it, Paul!! Just like Earl to pick racing green for his outfit, as he races across the globe like a jet-setting viking:D Looking forward to more:thumbup::thumbup:
 
Fantastic to see Earl in your workshop Paul, and in Jan's, he's going to like his new jacket :) I'm not sure what the weather is like in Andover today, but I hope it's better than here in Leeds, where it's absolutely slinging it down! :( Looking forward to seeing more of Earl's adventures in and around Andover :thumbup:
 
Hi All
Its been a really wet and cold day here today, so poor Earl hasn`t been out again! So instead he has been helping out around the house, and workshop with some chores.
I caught him hiding under the eaves of my workshop.


His first task was to help me cut some perspex templates for a new knife i am making. I was very lucky recently to be in contact with Mr Tony Bose, who was very generous with his knowledge and sent me some templates to use.


He stayed with me all morning, then went to help me pack up a knife to send.
Being a well seasoned traveler he was able to give advice on the correct use of sellotape and such like!




In the last few days our two rescue pups, Alfie and Elsa have really taken a shine to Earl.




After lunch, Earl was keen to help Jan finish his new outfit. For some reason Earl always finds an excuse to go and help Jan, (i hope nothing is going on between them two?)
Rumor has it he is quite a lady`s man!




His British racing green outfit really suits him, and cant wait to be out and about wearing it when the weather improves!
Not the most exciting day for him, but as compensation a Pint of Fullers ESB soon put a smile on his face! Cheers!!
 
Fantastic pics Paul, and I love Earl's new coat! :thumbup:
 
A fine day indeed, Paul! He will look fantastic in his new coat. Lovely work, Jan!!:thumbup::thumbup: He will stay warm and cozy in a strong wind:D
 
At last the rain has stopped!! Time to venture out with Earl and show him around Andover!!
We are quite lucky that even though we live in a town, there are plenty of open spaces a 2 minute walk away.
We took Earl and the dogs to Watermills park, our daily routine for Aflie and Elsa to meet their friends.




The Park is edged by the river Anton which is fed by chalk springs leading to some stunning lakes at the bottom of the park. These lakes have been turned into one of the most important nature reserves in England as they are bounded by chalk grasslands which are fast disappearing. They are home to a diverse animal and plant habitat such as
otters, kingfishers, water voles etc which are now protected.


There has been a Watermill here since 1089 AD, but the present mill dates from the late 16th Century, and is one of 11 mills mentioned in the Doomesday book.


Just past the Mill, we let the dogs have a paddle and a drink in their favourite watering hole.



We got home to a lovely surprise! Jack Black had sent us a Parcel. Earl with his super sharp steel, made quick work of the many,many layers protecting the goods!
HENDERSONS RELISH!!!!!!! Christmas has come early!! This sauce is the elixir of life and cannot be found outside of Yorkshire, so thank you Jack, you have made our day!


We thought Earl was looking a bit peckish and headed into Town for a snack. We decided to stop by at the Town Mill, which is now a pub.



The Mill dates back to 1086 AD but over the years has been refurbished. It was a working flour mill until 1974.
There were many mills along the river Anton, and were very important to the town. Two of the most important, in neighbouring villages, are the silk mill in Whitchurch, which is the oldest working silk mill in England, and the paper mill in Overton, which makes paper for the banknotes of the bank of England
In the black and white photo above, the carts had just had the metal rims put on the wheels, so they were put in the river Anton to make the wood swell.
Inside the Mill, the wheel has been restored recently, back to working order. Poor Earl got blinded by the flash, sorry mate.




We sat outside, seeing as the sun was shining, Earl ordered chips and a pint. I turned by back for two minutes and they had vanished!! I think he might need a new jacket if he carries on like this!



On the way home, Earl got a bill of a chill from this sign, Best to hurry along Earl.

 
Fantastic post Paul, really great to see all the pics of Andover, and it's a great write-up of your day out with Earl. I see he his starting to fill out his new jacket! :D

Enjoy the Henderson's my friend, I'm really glad that it survived the journey :thumbup:
 
:thumbup: Superb pictures in a superb place.
Jake, please, do swear you'll never ever send me Marmite! :D

ps autumn has crossed the Channel.
 
Paul, thanks for your hospitality to EARL! :thumbup::thumbup: I very much enjoy reading about his travels, and his time in Andover is no exception - fascinating!! :cool::cool: I think it's wise that you've been giving him plenty of work to keep him occupied. (Congratulations on your gift of the fabled Henderson's Relish! Reading Jack's comments on that relish, I've been led to believe that it's the stuff of which dreams are made!! :D:eek::D)

- GT
 
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