Once again the support of the people of Braintree was immense and the town was treated to another terrific Carnival.

I'll get around to writing more eventually but for the time being you will have to make do with the picture gallery now I've remembered to put the link in.

After a reduction of the number of walkers in 2001 the committee decided it was time to review the annual Walk. After much 'soul searching' and debate it was decided to continue with the event but with some minor changes. It was to be one week later to avoid a clash with the return to school and the route was shortened by a small amount. The Chairman was against the latter decision, so to confuse him the distance was changed to 20 kilometres instead of 15 miles; he's still working that one out!

52 walkers from 8 organisations took part. This included our very own Rachel and Martin who between them raised over £200 towards the Carnival Project. Jessica Crowe walking for the Braintree Dimensions, also donated part of her sponsor money to the Project.

We would like to express our thanks to Essex Wildlife and the Warden for their co-operation at the Brookes Reserve were the refreshment caravan was stationed.

I has been asked about my family tree and the excess of grandparents. Here follows a simple explanation:
Grandad Robert is my Daddy's Daddy. He is married to Granma Pat (I is not sure wot married means but it has somethink to do with livin in the same house) but Granma Pat is not Daddy's Mummy. Granma Pat is also my friend Alicia's Grandma as she is her Mummy's Mummy. Daddy's Mummy is Grandma Janet. She is married to Granpa Mike who is obviously not Daddy's Daddy as Grandad Robert is. Granpa Mike is also my friend Alicia's Grandad, which means he is her Mummy's Daddy. As well as Granma Pat I also have a Nanna Pat who is my Mummy's Mummy. She lives in Leeds with Grandad Ben who is my Mummy's Daddy. I hope that helps clear things up and avoids any confusion.

New somethink was up today as I is in Nursery which is not normal for a Tuesday. Mummy and Daddy picked me up early and told me we is off to the Carnvul.
I is so excited I is not able to sleep so stays awake for whole way down to Braintree. Mummy and Daddy very happy as I keeps them company.
Went straight to Granma Janet and Granpa Mike house where we is sleepin agin. I is worn out after the long journey so has a quick wash and goes off to bed. I lets Granpa read me some stories first.

I is a bit tired after the long journey so has a bit of a lie in.
We is off the muddy field (Meadowside) so I insist on wearin me wellies. Everyone is surprised to see us so early in the week.
Richard, Martin and Matt are digging holes in the ground with a big drill. Mummy and Daddy stands up big sticks in the big holes. I is helping put the dirt back in the holes. I is then told off cos you is supposed to put the stick in first.
We go off to the pub for dinner and I have my favourite, chicken nuggets.
As the muddy field is not very muddy, I puts me trainers on as it is hard walking in me wellies all day and me legs is gettin tired.
We is off to Ipswich. They is the Blue ones who Daddy shouts at when they play football on the telly. Last time we watched them, Dad cried cos they lost a regulation or somethink and is now in the diversion one.
We goes to a big house full of teddies and toys and balls and books and toilet rolls. I had to promise to be a good boy and not touch anything. Lots of things fell over when I didn't touch them and Daddy shouted at me. It's not my fault. We bought lots of things.
I is off sellin programs tonight with Aunty Lynn. She is tellin me wot to say and I is askin nice ladies and men who answer the door if they would like to buy a program. They is not understandins wot I is sayin so I just smile and look cute. Silly southern softies.

I is up bright and early so goes and wakes Granma and Granpa. I is so busy playin I forgets to wake Mummy and Daddy.
They is finally gettin up and we is off to the muddy field agin which is still not very muddy. All the sticks is stood up so I takes Granma Pat and Grandad Robert to get some tables. Grandad puts them in a box that he sticks to the back of his car. It is very clever.
We go off to the pub for dinner and I have my favourite, chicken nuggets.
Daddy is off after dinner to shout at a man cos they is printin the wrong stuff in a newspaper. Mummy won't let me go with him and I cry. It is not fair, Daddy is funny when he is cross and shoutin. He goes all purple and wrinkly.
When we all goes back to the muddy field we does some paintin. I is good at paintin and help Daddy as he is not very good and never puts enuff paint on the brush.
We go off to the pub for tea and I have my favourite, chicken nuggets.

I is stayin to look after Granma Janet and Granpa Mike today cos they would have nothink to do as they is not workin today.
We is off to have a picnic with some squirrels. My friend Cousin Hollie and her Mummy and Daddy come with us. Squirrels don't like chicken nuggets.
Nana and Gandad is here from Leeds to visit me. They is stoppin at the Holidayin Hotel. It is not their house but is where lots of people stop when they is visitin people and don't have a Granma and Grandads to stop at. I is knowin this now cos I stopped in one last year when I went to see my friend Mickey Mouse in France. But that is another story.
We is off to the Barbq tonight but I does not stay long cos there is no chicken nuggets. Anyway we has to be up early tomorrow cos it is Carnvul Day.

I is up bright and early cos the clock is still 6. I goes to wake Mummy and Daddy but Daddy has already gone out.
He comes back after breakfast to pick me and Mummy up and takes us to the muddy field. I helps Mummy and Daddys friends put up flags and fences and posters and carry cans and bottles and crisps and teddies. It is very hard work.
I goes to Old McDonalds for dinner with my friend Cousin Hollie. I have my favourite, chicken nuggets.
Back at the muddy field I cant believe how hot it is and how much I is doin. My friend Imgen is ere as well. We goes on lots of rides and eats lots of icecream. I even sees a man jumpin over Uncle Davids car on his bike. I wanted to have a go but silly Daddy says me bike is in Leeds.
My friend Luke takes me on lots of stalls and I wins lots of teddies. Daddy was very happy.
When it gets dark I sits with cousin Martin to watch the fireworks as he is frightened of big bangs. Big sissy.
After the fireworks I helps take down all the wooden huts and throw them into a back of a big van. We even took the big sticks out of the ground but they is too big to lift on me own. Eventually I gets to tired so I lets Mummy put me in the car to have a little kip.

We gets up and goes to say goodbye to Nana and Grandad who is goin back to Leeds.
England is playin football so I takes Mummy and Rachel shoppin to Freeport. Daddy watches the football with his friends.
Daddy goes back to bed after the football as he says he is very tired. Dirty stopout, should have gone to bed earlier.

We is off back to Leeds today so I is not writin anymore this year. Hopes you enjoyed reading it as much as I enjoyed doin it. Roll on next year.