Day 26 – Sunday 13 August 2000 - Southend to Benfleet

11 miles walked today

341.5 miles walked in total (average 13.13)

Vicky and I parked at Southend East Station and were ready to walk at about ten o’clock today.  A very tardy start!  We ambled down to the sea front and along to the pier and then walked to the end – a one and a half mile walk each way – for ice cream and postcards.  Whilst writing the cards, we were accosted by an old dear who asked if we were hostelling.  Obviously, because we looked filthy, knackered and were carrying rucksacks!  She told us how she did a lot of walking and that she was on a walking holiday on the Isle of Wight just before the outbreak of World War Two, when she was sixteen.  She now walks with a rambling club on Saturday – they do about five miles – and walks from home to the end of the pier and back on Sunday mornings – another five miles.  I hope I’m as sprightly as she is when I’m seventy-seven!

Part of the pier, which was built originally in 1889, burnt down in 1976 – although the posters didn’t say how or why – and it was then rebuilt.  A large section of the damage has been left though, as a reminder of how dangerous fire can be

It was turning into quite a lazy day – by noon, we had only walked three miles!  We thought we’d better get a shimmy on and carried on past Westcliff, Chalkwell and Leigh on Sea along the prom, trying to ignore some of the sights we had seen on the beach!  Some people really ought to keep their clothes on.

Past Leigh on Sea Station, we were back on footpaths again, through Hadleigh Castle Country Park.  We managed quite a few sit downs en route – trying to find shade and take a break from the burning sun.  We decided that we may have got sunstroke too as the conversation – never very serious in the first place – had taken a turn for the completely unintelligible.

We found a rather interesting stile to cross – which had metal knobs all over it.  I considered that it might be in Braille and, after dancing up and down on it for a few seconds, decided that it was Braille and that we were on the right path for Benfleet Station – the destination for the day.  When we finally got there, we were very disappointed to note that there was no drinks machine or anywhere to get ice cream. 

Despite this catastrophic disappointment, we finished what was left of our (warmish) water – or at least what was left after Vicky had poured it over her knees to cool them down – and sat in a puddle on the platform and waited for the train back to Southend East and the car.  It’s been a really tough weekend – it’s been far too hot and the sun’s really made things very difficult.  However, we should feel, justifiably, very proud of what we’ve achieved and Vicky’s even said she’ll come walking again.  Hurrah!