There was an exceptionally high tide as I made my way down Quayside ahead of another lunchtime walk on Thursday. I was surprised not to see the flood barrier closed.
Disguising the smell of mud and shit from the Estuary Wilds was the midday pub food being cooked. It was rather tempting but I had km’s in my legs that needed walking off.
I reached the Sailing Club. WivGigs were preparing to land after a social row on the high water. I did my dutiful trolley dolly thing and helped them out with the recovery.
A little further down the muddy banks and there was the magnificent sight of the entire fleet of Wivenhoe One Designs in a single line. It is WOD Racing Week this week. That sounds purely for the committed. They seem to have the weather as well as the wind.
I reached the wooded area along a sea wall. We had the news yesterday of a tree in Wivenhoe Wood falling due to the intense heat, and taking down a power line on the railway. Whoops.
Along the sea wall another tree has fallen, requiring you to do something of a limbo dance in order to have a safe passage.
Halfway around my circuit and the heat became incredibly repressive. I did have plans for the 10km round route but this involves a little extra distance as well as walking on the main road.
BALLS to that. I opted instead for the more scenic route, which takes in the abandoned and derelict St Peter’s Church at Alresford.
I always love looking around here and taking snaps, whatever time of the year. I’m no believer, but it is a very powerfully emotive location any time of the year.
I descended back down towards the Estuary. The gravel paths that link Alresford back to the river have now become sand. Flooded plains around the fields have long since disappeared. The ground is bone dry. One downpour and the water will drain off back down towards the Estuary.
There was a sign up by the private fishing lakes saying that there was an OAP fishing match taking place this summer. I’m not too far off from signing up for this myself.
Walk to live, live to walk, or something.
