Day 19 – Saturday 10 June 2000 - Colchester to West Mersea

14 miles walked today

254.5 miles walked in total (average 13.39)

I left from Sam’s in Epsom this morning at seven thirty and was walking at ten o’clock.  It started off cloudy, but very warm and with no wind.  Once the cloud cleared away, it was glorious.

I had a promising start at Rowhedge – walking through a park and a cemetery.  However, after that, it was all road walking as the red flags have been flying and the sound of gun fire accompanied me all morning.  No footpaths until East Mersea.

The village of Fingringhoe has lots of small cottages nestling in amongst some huge mansions.  The smells have been wonderful – honeysuckle in the hedgerows and roses at the doors.  It seems that everyone has been busy in their gardens.

I was very disappointed at Langenhoe to find the pub shut so, instead, I pushed on to Peldon and had a drink at the Rose.  This is in the running for best pub of the walk so far – there’s a pond in the garden which accommodates water voles, there’s bits of shady seating outside, the front is covered in roses – obviously – and there’s lots of little nooks and crannies, low ceilings and uneven floors inside.  I wonder how I go about getting a job for the Good Pub Guide?

Mersea Island reminds me a lot of Hayling Island – lots of greenery, lots of horses and some of the biggest houses I’ve ever seen!  There’s obviously some money knocking about up here.  Instead of a bridge though, you cross to the island over a causeway which cuts the island off occasionally at high tide.  

Some workmen were laying tarmac on the main road of the island – in fact, the only road to East Mersea.  They turned out to be comedians too – they stopped the traffic for me and told me to get a move on as I was passing, but warned me not to walk in their workmanship as they’d be very offended!

The Dog and Pheasant were holding a tug of war competition today, but I was there half an hour early.  I wanted to push on – I didn’t especially want to spend my Saturday afternoon in the pub.  I could do that at home – and frequently do!

I had a sit down at Cudmore Grove Country Park overlooking Brightlingsea.  The weather was gorgeous – lots of people about.  Sadly, my swimsuit and towel were in my big rucksack in the car at Colchester and all I had in my small pack on my back were waterproofs, gloves and hat.  Gggrrr!

After an unplanned snooze in the country park, I walked back on the road until I could get to the public footpath along the shore to West Mersea.  At a distance, I watched maybe a dozen Thames barges racing – it’s at times like this that I wish I had a better camera.

It didn’t take me long to find my B&B, which I’d already booked.  It was great and I was very envious of the garden!  Sadly, the rest of West Mersea didn’t really measure up.  The pub was rubbish and the fish and chip shop served up the food on paper plates with plastic knives and forks.

I’ve really enjoyed walking today – I’m back in my old faithful boots.  They’re over eight years old, but feel like slippers.  After the Easter disasters, Dad said I moan far too much in my diary and people wouldn’t want to read that.

Well, Dad … today I love walking!