Weather: Bright & warm,
breezy in afternoon.
Distance: 34 km (21.1miles) Total
Distance: 2307 miles
This
was one of those days when I felt completely exhausted at the end, partly
because it in itself was a lengthy walk and partly because yesterday’s walk was
also long. I parked in a side street
near Sutton-Bridge Farm. The first part
of the walk was through an industrial estate that challenged my map reading skills. Eventually I found the path out which then led to another industrial
development – a mill of some sort I think.
Over a bridge inside the factory and then past an elderly people’s home
and down to the estuary.
The
next long stretch was along the sea defenses to Paglesham Creek. The sea wall
petered out into fields. I ventured briefly onto Walsea Island, deciding not to
go too far as it was a one-way path just along the north side of the
island. After half a mile along the road
I took a left turn down to the marina and stopped in a small café I found and
awarded it the worst managed café I had found.
The lady running it seemed to be new at the café management job and was
all at sixes and sevens. I eventually
got what I wanted which only left paying the bill which took an equally length
of time! Turning west past the marina
and then past a caravan park. Back over
the bridge off Walsea Island and then right onto the sea defenses once
again.
A
long haul along featureless sea defenses but a picturesque river setting bought
me to South Fambridge and at least a couple of people out walking. Now I was hopping that there was a path
across the large inlet before Hullbridge but when I got there it was very
evident that this was a footpath on the map only and that the sea wall had been
breached long ago.
I walked inland along
a path that was overgrown and then made the decision to try to keep going along
the inlet even though there was no path on the map. It was touch and go and I got lost a couple
of times as well as being concerned about being told off by an irate land owner
which never occurred fortunately.
Eventually I fought my way back to the river and to Brandy Hole, a
little tourist hamlet. I was exhausted
by now and had sore feet!
At Hullbridge
the tide was out and the river looked as if I would be able to wade it. I decided to go for it and not wanting to cut
my feet I just waded it and back again probably much to the amusement of people
watching from either bank. On my return
I got questioned by a couple of children who were wondering what on earth I was
doing.
I
had parked my bike at the car park at Hulbridge but decided to wait for a bus that was due
soon. The driver however confirmed that he
was only going to Southend and he did not know if there was another bus to
Rochford. I therefore took the bike
even though I was tired. I proved I was
very tired when on the way back I shouted at a jaguar car that came around a roundabout
and was perfectly doing right but for some reason I thought I had the right of
way – they must have been very confused!
Not only was it a long ride back but I also got lost a couple of times
so it was late when I got back to my aunt and uncle's and they were starting to get
worried if I was OK.
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