Day 164

Monday 31 August

9.30am I am waiting at Manningtree station for the 10am train to Harwich. I will be getting of at Wrabness to do the second leg of the walk from Harwich along the Essex Way. Even the short walk from the car, parked about 15 minutes walk away, has provided sights and sounds of Magpie, Long-tailed Tit, Great Tit, Robin and others. It’s quite a precious time of the day, seldom spent outside on a weekday. Although it’s a bank holiday, that time after ‘rush hour’ and before lunch is a little mysterious to most of us.

It’s great to be out and about again; the past few days have been unseasonably windy, wet and cool. But this morning, sitting on the bench, with platform 1 behind me and the morning sun warming my back and shoulders, I am looking forward to some deep breathing, brisk walking and pleasing views. I might even get a pint in somewhere?

This leg seems shorter than the first but I think the weather conditions are more forgiving today. It’s just a beautiful part of the world. Dripping in atmosphere, splintered with industry on a backdrop of agriculture and woodland. I choke when I try to write it all down.

I love walking along, something grabs my attention, I take a photo. Then, when I get home, I research it. It is becoming a bit of a pastime. Oh, and a negative thing I am aware of, particularly today. My obsession with finding feathers is getting a little daft. I am aware that I spend increasing amounts of the walk looking towards the ground when I should be looking around me or even above me.

As I walked alongside the Stour leaving Wrabness, I grab a fistful of vegetation. It is so lush and teeming with substance, the plants that thrive in these environments are tough. This is a precious plant though; it is one of only a few that flower late summer and into the Autumn.

Although I have had the Essex Way pretty much to myself today, I am suddenly conscious of the others who have brushed by it now and in the past. Like me, opening their palms to be tickled by the feathery grasses or, in this case, the lush pink blooms.

I’m constantly discovering new things about ‘me’. Thankfully, I have already realised how much I love walking, solo or with a group. I feel lucky to have found a love for it. It costs nothing, keeps me healthy, and broadens the mind.

1.30pm Just arrived at The Red Lion in Manningtree. I’m not completely sure this is on the Essex Way route, but it’s on mine. I’ve already posted a fair bit about Manningtree.

Final twenty minutes walk from the pub to my car. Walking behind Manningtree and and across to Lawford church.