You too can enjoy the fun of the Nine Days Wonder. There has already been interest expressed in the event by TV, Radio and the Press, and Tim would like to maximise the positive impact by inviting all Morris Dancers to join him on the diffferent legs of the journey, either for a short stretch or a nice long stretch.

If you would like to be kept informed of what is going on, please send your email to either Tim or Woodside's Dave D, and we will strive to keep you up to date with where and when each leg of the journey will be taking place, and when any special events take place to celebrate or promote the event.

Tim FitzHigham's
Nine Days Wonder

28 June to 7 July 2008

Nine Days Wonder Home

First Wonder - Shakespeare's Globe to Romford

9.00am at Shakespeare's Globe, and Tim sets off on his Nine Days Wonder, followed by a number of cameramen and photographers, as well as Woodside's Dave Dunham, gallantly playing his melodeon as fast as he could walk.

The day went well, the team arriving in Romford in good time, where Tim, on the insistance of his publisher, dived in to Waterstones to sign copies of his book, 'In the Bath'. And speaking of baths, it would not have been a bad thing if his faithful old Thomas Crapper hadn't been waiting for him at the far end of the day's journey.

The traditional start for any Nine Days Wonder is at Mansion House, where Will Kemp himself departed, but Tim wanted two things that were facilitated by use of the Globe as a starting point: 1, to emphasise the idea of Kemp as Shakspeare's Fool,; and 2, so he could say he had gone further than Kemp.

Either way, The Globe made a scenic starting point, and it also allowed for the team to pass by, and pause for photogrphs at, the Mansion House, thus satisfying even the most exacting pedant. What's to say that Kemp didn't pop in to the green room at the original Globe for quick snort pre-amble.

Throughout the day, the weather had been very fine, with the chaps finding shade where they could along the route, and breaking for lunch to avoid the worst of the sun's attentions.

Tim and Dave danced the good dance together up to Ilford, having been joined afew miles earlier by another Woodside Man, Wayne Lang, who danced the rest of the way to Romford, whilst Dave woosed it in the support van with jounalist and backup crew member, Adam. Although the team had a bit of a rest in Ilford, Tim was called upon, once again by his publisher, to sign books in the local Waterstones, and was even asked if he could dance the next day at a music festival going on in the town.

Tim was pretty knackered by the time he arrived at Romford, but he has a quick recovery time , and was even talking of doing a bit more stepping practice in the car park, but Dave and Wayne quickly made their excuses and headed off back to Watford!

Meanwhile, Tim practised his double step and prepared himself for the next part of the challenge.

See Tim's thoughts on the Day on FitzHigham.com