Previously on "The World at Large"...

"we set out to explore Thorpe."
And returned 4 minutes later, having not only seen every square inch of Thorpe, but understanding all that it had to offer culturally and otherwise. The town is tiny and near empty, save for a mini-Tesco's (groceries) and a few pensioners interested in the quiet life. The VERY quiet life. We had certainly downsized a bit from Paris.

However, we were not disheartened but, being resourceful and capable of entertaining ourselves, looked forward to a quiet evening. What we got instead was about 25 pints of ale and twice that many new friends. Everybody and their uncle wanted, it seemed, to meet us and make friends. Now I know that you are reading this and thinking "wanted to make friends?? Seriously?? Percy and Casey? Jesus I am only reading this blog out of a combination of pity, obligation, and boredom." But what I would say to that is, you don't live in Thorpe.
In fact, we are the first new, young, and well, lets be honest, stunningly attractive and cultured people to arrive in this town for at least a decade, so we are a big deal. We met many people that Friday night and the rest of the weekend, all of whom wanted to get to know us, and many of whom entreated us to join them for a variety of suspect activities, which, I suppose, are all there is to do in Thorpe. Some quotes from various Thorpe residents:

"Wait, are you guys dads yet? [no we are 18]. Well we are 18 and most of us are 18 or 19"
"Do you do drugs?...no, no, we mean Hard drugs."
"What do you want to do with your life? I am a hairdresser."
"Wait you met girls last night and you Didn't have sex?"
"Another pint?"
"Another pint?"
"Another pint?"

Casey and I spent most of the weekend in a state of fairly severe shock and confusion and after the first traumatic (don't worry, I use this word loosely, it wasn't too bad) night, drank not one more drop. The rest of the week was spent sleeping, eating very well (the pub serves great food, covered by our employers), watching great movies (if you are looking for any check out The Four Feathers and Where Eagles Dare), and working independently up at the spa. The Bell was full of very hospitable and fun, and the only downside of the great spot was the impossibility of going to sleep before the pub closed at...never. (We slept during the day mostly).

On Sunday we headed into Clacton, the much bigger (and by much I mean not much) town nearby, to buy some things and get a change of scene. It was certainly a change, though barely an improvement. When the weekend ended, we felt as if we had been in Thorpe for about 6 months, and perhaps you are beginning to understand why.