Walking

Walking the week before with ‘the guinea pigs’ I was able to iron out the faults for the same walk the following week with a different group of walkers.  This time we started down by the river, walked in a northerly direction and eliminated the horrid noisy road section; it also shortened the walk by 1.5kms bringing it in-line with our usual walking distance of 8kms.  Joy has set the scene and described it wonderfully and there is little else I can add.  We too had beautiful weather.  The incoming tide was low when we arrived and as we walked beside Fen Creek the waters followed us along pushing the black-headed gulls away from there feeding ground.  A small flock of Canada Geese glided peacefully along.

Woodham Fen, 37 acres in total, is an interesting area and the southern part of the Fen, the Saltings and Scrapes is a Site of Special Scientific Interest.  It is a saltmarsh land that is one of the oldest and unchanged saltmarshes in the country.  The area changes from saltmarsh, to upper saltmarsh and then to grassland thus benefiting many different types of plants and habitats.  Small bogs and lagoons are present making the terrain very difficult to walk over but we kept to well-trodden paths through the grassland although one footpath marker did point the way across the saltings and into the creek!

By the time we ended the walk the tide was well up, the large flock of swans had split in two with some remaining on the south side of the river, including the black swan, but many had congregated around the slip near the car park and were being fed by enthusiastic youngsters; a sole dinghy was being wheeled down the slip to be launched. Ending the morning the group sat with their picnics enjoying this typical English riverside scene on a typical sunny summer’s day.

Diane Caulkett

This was our first walk after lockdown and following Government guidance we had to limit the numbers to a total of six.  In the event we were to be only 5. Social distancing is not hard when walking but talking with social distancing presented some problems and messages had to be relayed from the front to the back of the line; this made the walk far less social than normal but all the same most enjoyable.

Without the restriction of meeting in a pub we were able to meet in a location that normally I wouldn’t choose.  So, starting from the car park in Bicknacre we set off across the so-called Priory Fields where a playing field led on to grassland with mowed paths – and immediately went the wrong way (I had previously warned everyone that I hadn’t walked the route as I usually do so anything could happen, actually only two things did happen, this error in navigation and later confusion amongst the houses in a housing estate thus resulting in a slightly longer walk than planned).

There was a hermitage on the Priory Fields until around the end of 1154 when it was converted into a priory for the Black Canons, an order of Augustinian Canons.  It was known as Wodeham Priory until 1235 when the name Bicknacre first occurs.  The navigational error did give us a glimpse through a hedge of Priory Arch which is all that remains of the 12th century Bicknacre Priory. It comprises the west arch of the crossing of the church with attached fragments of the nave and north transept.   We had intended to take a closer look on our return but for some reason didn’t.

We left the ‘fields’ in the north-west corner reaching a quiet country lane.  On our left was St Giles Churchyard, a quaint and slightly overgrown churchyard with a small church at the far end.   It is rumoured that the church is haunted by a man buried in the graveyard. His name remains unknown.

On the right-hand side is the site of the St Giles Home for British Lepers, which no longer exists, but I am told the current buildings are now used for people with learning difficulties.

Turning onto footpaths and bridleways our route led through Meads Grove, a delightful wood where we were warned to keep on the track for fear of being hit by arrows in the archery practice areas.  The shade of trees was most welcome as by now the day was heating rapidly.  This area is sparsely populated and we saw no other walkers and even when we emerged at East Hanningfield, the village was almost deserted.  We joined the St Peter’s Way here and on clearly marked tracks and paths, over fields and through farms, crossed Bicknacre Common and reached the end of the walk.

We all agreed that although it wasn’t quite the same as walking with a larger group it was nonetheless worthwhile just to make contact again with friends.

Diane Caulkett

Eileen: I had a great walk just roaming the back fields of Southminster, meandering the footpaths to avoid the odd dog walkers in the distance. As you say, a beautiful day to walk out with field spurting vibrant green.
Linda B: Yes you did have a beautiful day for the walk. Am sure you enjoyed it and put the world to rights……..if only!
I was enjoying ‘ essential shopping’. Such fun, but the other shoppers were all very aware of the space around them. So all good.
Perhaps we ought to have an Open Gardens day when this is over, although I need to get going on mine.

Valerie: I have been walking each day on my own as recommended. All along the foreshore.
I have my static bike in the sun lounge so I cycle and watch the river.

Not so bad while the sun shines!

Jo took this as I was passing the House boat this morning on my” government approved 1 outdoor exercise per day”. It was beautiful and I was virtually alone!

I hope you are all coping and keeping well. 😷👍🍷

Mo & Dave: we have been walking as usual with our dog along the river she has been swimming mad dog. Just have to make the most of beautiful weather

Frances: Colin and I did the same route this afternoon with me commenting about how muddy it was in December. It was a lovely sunny day then as well.

Owen: Thought I let you you know about my little walk along the West Highland Way. Your book and map were very helpful but nothing really prepares you until start walking. the first seven miles were pleasant going through country parks on good level paths and the weather was holding up. the first real test was towards the last three hours, walking up and down Conic Hill in a storm. Fortunately my new jacket proved money well spent but my waterproof trousers plus the other trekkers gear failed and we arrived at our first overnight spot with waterlogged boots. Hairdriers to the rescue.
We completed the next four days through all the weather systems ranging from bright spring sunshine (only or a few hours) to more heavy rain with sprinkling of sleet and snow. We manged the whole 96 miles except the Devils Staircase on day 4 as it was raining very hard with low cloud and visibility (this section needed good visibility otherwise go get lost along Rannock Moor.
There were several diversions due to collapsed bridges and one fallen tree proved difficult and took about 20 minutes to get over and under and over again. It was a great challenge glad to have done it. We were very lucky with the timing as Pubs/ overnight stops were closing fast. My flight home was cancelled but managed to get another.

Jacqui: I am trying to go for a walk with Viv in the mornings as we walk the dogs – 2mts apart, but at least it is company for her and someone for her to talk to who has unfortunately been through the same. It is good that we are still able to do this as I think Viv would go crazy without.
(For those of you who don’t know Bob had a very serious stroke and has been hospitalised for at least two weeks – it is serious and of course Viv can’t visit. I have sent Viv the group’s best wishes)
Joy: Paul and I had a walk down to the river and along the seawall for a little way. We had said this morning that it would have been a lovely day for our U3A walk. Hope it won’t be too long before we can start up again. When I’ve done something exciting I will write to the whole group !!
Sue & Tony: Tony and I have done about 3 miles around Southminster most days. Initially just around the roads but as things have dried up we’ve been heading across footpaths. I am so glad we haven’t been stopped from doing that – yet! It’s strange how the little things cheer you up – my highlight today was finding a box full of chocolate cake in the freezer plus I actually baked some biscuits! Keep safe and I am sure all walkers are looking forward to the time when we can walk together again

Linda McL: I’ve spent the last two days digging and weeding but I’m taking my time as I have quite a few days to fill. Also I don’t want to go mad and then not be able to move

From Heybridge Basin we pushed into the strong, cold wind coming from a westerly direction.  It was a glorious morning to be out and the 22 of us took in the delights of the River Blackwater at low water.  Numerous birds fed on the mudflats and keen birders amongst us notched up a count of many species.  The sun shone and Maldon looked as picturesque as it does on postcards taken at prime time.

It was a little slippery underfoot after the recent rainfall but we all kept together reaching Heybridge by means of ‘the pretty route’, that is walking behind the industrial estate and emerging through a used car sales forecourt.  When we reached the canal bridge four people left the group to do a shorter walk and returned via the canal path.  The rest of us were later to do that but at this point extended our walk by passing through a housing estate on footpaths and joining the Blackwater Rail Trail for a short stretch (we plan to walk the whole 8 mile stretch in the future).   Between this trail and the canal are fields and several lakes which also had plenty of birdlife on them.

Pausing for a group photo beside the Oak Meadow play area we then joined the canal and walked briskly back to Heybridge Basin.

Lining the eastern section of the path old men sat at intervals, dipping their long fishing rods into the water.  Beside them, ghastly red coloured maggots wriggled in tubs of bran (according to a programme I heard recently on the radio I was amazed to learn that we and maggots have similar sensory organs).  The fish were not to be seen (or caught) and being a competition was a bit of a disappointment for those taking part.  One man had caught one fish and seemed to be the winner so far; another had done the same but his fish wasn’t the right kind for this competition.

The Jolly Sailor sat us in the backroom and very quickly our pre-ordered food arrived and for the first time that day, silence fell.

Diane Caulkett

Our first walk for 2020 was from a new dining location, Bunsay Downs Golf Club, and partially, a new stretch of footpaths.  It was a walk that brought its challenges in various ways.

I had warned of mud well before the previous day’s rain and was surprised to find so many walkers prepared to splosh through the puddles and mud ahead.

We were counted out, 27 of us, and set off up the road climbing steadily – I felt like the Duke of York with this number behind me and sure enough, like him, I led them to the top of the hill and marched them down again.  Our first stile of the day marked the top of this hill and has a fairly high step.  Mo quite often finds stiles challenging but with pulls and pushes we got her halfway over when, with such perfect timing, the property owner appeared and suggested we walk through her gate instead, which we did; this caused some hilarity – Mo joined in our laughter.

A series of paddocks led us down to a road.  At that point our intended walk was to have continued down through fields to a footpath running close to the canal, but when I walked it a week before I decided the mud was too deep, and so instead we took another route along a stretch of country lane.  It was a pleasant stretch with fine houses and no traffic.  Then we turned to descend on a track to the point where our original walk would have joined it.  It was at the bottom of the track we realised a section of the group was missing.  Fearing there may be a problem and leaving the majority of the group stranded in a field it was back up the hill to locate the absent group – no disaster, – they hadn’t seen us turn off!!!.  One group member returned to the waiting majority and led them on whilst I took the ‘missing party’ on a shorter route and we regrouped a short while later.

We were not amused!

Over a stile and through a muddy wood, some fields and more woodland that undulated and twisted we eventually reached a house where the footpath went over their front garden.  A quick headcount – we were not 27, so back along the track to find the others (more or less the exact same group) who were some way back – this time they had sensibly stopped for a minor medical reason.

Reaching a road, it was suggested that those ‘struggling’ should return via the road and the rest stride on through more fields and woods, mud and undulations.

We all arrived back at more or less the same time and as luck would have it only about 10-minutes later than planned.

Diane Caulkett

Sunshine – In the November 2019 issue of the U3A Magazine Jill wrote an informed article about the lectures she had listened to at the Royal Institution arranged for the U3A – one of the subjects was ‘Sunshine’. When natural sunlight hits the skin it triggers the body’s production of vitamin D and so gets its name, “the sunshine vitamin.” This vitamin is a crucial ingredient for overall health and it is advised to get at least 10-15 minutes of sunlight daily. Among the many benefits, including aiding depression and boosting the immune system, adding a little sunshine to your life can even promote weight loss. The message is clear – even (or especially) in the depths of winter, wrap up warm and get outside – and this is what 14 members of the Walking Group did on the Monday between Christmas and New Year. Not only was it good to meet and chat again but the added bonus was an abundance of ‘sunshine’.

It was a local walk starting from the clock tower and heading east through the fields of Wick Farm. It is always a pleasure to walk through this farm as not only is it well maintained, but also birdlife is encouraged and abounds. Those of us interested were delighted to see large flocks of smaller birds feasting on the seeds and other larger birds picking berries from the bushes as well as raptors, geese and other water birds. We later met the farm owner, a very keen bird watcher, who had just witnessed a peregrine falcon dive down and take a Dunlin.

Being a leisurely walk, with no hills and no chance of losing anyone, there was plenty of time to chat to all the group members and with the sunshine all were in a good mood and pleased to be out stretching their legs after their recent celebrations.

We passed the solar panels, which have blended into the countryside really well. Around the farm are informative panels and the one about the solar panels informs us that in 2018 it provided enough electricity for half of the households in Burnham for a year (around 1900 at that time!).

We returned to Burnham along the seawall and those with cameras were kept occupied taking photos of the sunlit scene.
We ended our walk in the Bistro on the Quay (formerly Quayside) and although we hadn’t pre-ordered our food it was served in good time and enthusiastically devoured. The sunshine had obviously worked its charm as the good mood continued but even if it did help with weight loss the good work was soon undone.

Next Walk: Tuesday 28th January Meet for 10.00 at Bunsay Downs Golf Club, Woodham Walter CM9 6RU

Diane Caulkett