onionbagblog

And so you wait almost a month for the most magnificent of high tides to roll into Wivenhoe, and whaddya know - a delayed shopping trip down towards the Hythe, and I pretty much missed out on the peak of the choppy water action.

Whoops.

My Harwich and East Coast Tide Tables (£1.20 from the lovely folk at Wivenhoe Bookshop, add on +25 minutes for the water levels to flow down to Wivenhoe,) told me that the morning of Saturday 6th November was not going to be the best time for an outdoor dining experience outside the Rose and Crown.

Water levels of 4.25 metres were predicted, presumably in the centre of the Colne, and not by the dining tables outside the quayside boozer. You’d need more than the usual five pints to cope with the overspill during your mid-morning egg and chips.

An early morning cycle along the Wivenhoe Trail towards the Hythe wetted (aha!) my excitement for what was to come. The Sea Cadets by the new student accommodation were out early doing their sea cadet thing. Time and tide waits for no man or Sea Cadet, although the students quayside were probably sill tucked up in bed when the Colne came calling down to the town.

I finally found myself back in Wivenhoe just before midday, having missed the high peak of the high tide by just over half an hour. I wasn’t alone in capturing the moment on camera. “My car was parked there last night!” exclaimed one young chap, looking out from the Black Buoy and down towards Bethany Street.

The water was almost reaching the foot of Price’s Cottage. With a For Sale sign still propping up outside (close-ish escape…) you would have to be a skilled reader of tidal charts to take a gamble on the charming property within.

I looked across towards Rowhedge, along with @AnnaJCowen. The girl challenged me to swim across. Someday my dear, someday. My aquatic tormentor had more pressing concerns, almost coming a cropper dropping her bike lock key in, um, the Quay.

Never mind, luv. Wait until halfway through the next month and it may just become visible again.