Tuesday 27^th May was the 3^rd meeting of the new U3A local walking group. Despite the dismal weather forecast we donned our boots and caught the D4 bus to Southminster station. Setting off down Goldsands Road, we were serenaded by blackbirds and the rich bubbling song of a blackcap. Over the stile and through some rather wet grass, we were wishing we had worn our gaiters to keep our trousers dry. We made our way across the fields¸ which were burgeoning with lush healthy-looking crops, not all of which we could identify, but there were definitely the ingredients for plenty of chip butties, and two fields of flax, which in a few weeks’ time will be in flower, and will look like great waving lakes of blue. Here also we were surrounded by birdsong – whitethroats, chaffinches, corn buntings and skylarks. It seemed like no time at all before we arrived at Burnham Wick Farm, said our goodbyes and dispersed, happy but not at all tired, muddy-booted but perfectly dry.

Join us next month on the 24^th June, catching the 9.50 bus from Southminster station to Tillingham.

Jill Taylor