To the seaside!
We caught the early train over to Walton-on-the-Naze. The Seaside Express passed through flooded fields. It looked a little apocalyptic. Which is not something that you expect in North East Essex.
Walton-on-the_Naze was empty at 10am. There was a lone dog walker making the most of the low tide and gorgeous golden sand. Bonzo was having the TIME OF HIS LIFE running up and down.
Our route took us towards the Naze Tower. Ice Cream Central was closed. Bummer.
In the AirPods was Robert Elms on BBC London. He played End of a Century. It may not have been Tracy Jacks catching the first train to Walton, but it suited the surroundings.
Soon the beach turned to marsh. We followed the path past the Naze Tower and towards the Walton Channel.
This was a well trodden route. It looked like it had seen plenty of Christmas and NY action. But not today. We had the freedom of Walton. This led to a belting out of Wham!’s I’m Your Man, via Bob Elms.
The circuit was almost complete. We moved from marsh and back on to the road toward Walton. This reminded me of spending five days in the Glastonbury shit back in the early 90’s, and then landing back in Brixton.
The sun was close to its midday peak. We had energy left in our legs, and mince pies in the lunch box.
To Frinton on Sea!
The beach huts that connect the two towns even had a few optimistic sun worshippers appearing from within. The smell of bacon down at the beach front was quite delightful.
Destination Frinton was reached. I bought a fishtail parka - as you do, at the seaside.
But OF COURSE my fave second hand CD shop was on the radar. It was a brief crate digging session with the train waiting for us up the road.
I restrained myself, walking out with Heaven 17’s Luxury Gap, and New Order’s Republic. Yours for £4 all in, Sir.
