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A creak of the old letterbox, a scared (and crazed) cat runs for cover and whaddya know - it’s only the latest copy of the esteemed Brightlingsea and Wivenhoe Chronicle.

Blimey.

As I’m now an adopted son of *shhh* Brightlingsea, then I feel that I ought to bang on about all the fine news stories that the good Scoop Scarpenter has been seeking out concerning our friends at the other end of the B1207.

But bugger to that. An evening with WTC was sufficient for the finer detail this week. Apologies to m’Brightlingsea bro’s and sisters - I’m skipping straight to the heart of the matter and making the most of the Wivenhoe half of Scoop’s news patch.

Which in reality means thumbing through to p.7 and The Hub - a Welcoming Venue for Young People:

“An awareness evening was held recently at the Hub, formally the Wivenhoe Youth Centre, highlighting the diverse amenities available at this venue for young people.”

Hurrah!

“Amenities at the centre include a coffee bar, floodlit basketball and football, pool, darts, DJ mixing desk, air hockey, 32 inch TV screen and two laptops.”

The Hub is indeed a major success story for Wivenhoe. Any volunteers would be warmly welcomed…

You wait for one Wivenhoe story in the Chronicle, and then just as an extra slice of birthday cake settles you down in the rocking chair (seriously) for the afternoon, along come two on the same page.

p.7 continues with: Town Meets Gown:

“The Mayor and Mayoress of Wivenhoe, Brian and Jan Sinclair, accompanied by Dilly Meyer, International Academy Skills Centre Manager at the University of Essex, welcomed 30 students and 40 local residents to a social evening at the William Loveless Hall [where else...]“

My Mayor has done a great deal for the Town and Gown delicate balancing act during his period of civic service. He somehow pulled off the rather remarkable negotiating skills of giving a stern telling off to the Estate Manager regarding the Knowledge Gateway road closure farce, yet still managed to end up passing on the goodwill of the town towards the University..

Similarly in persuading the ‘youthful high spirits’ of some students out on the Wivenhoe Run to apologise to local publicans and residents, before welcoming them back into Wivenhoe for more booze.

Blimey.

Councillor Steve Ford writes on p.10 more about the 20mph Zones in Wivenhoe:

“The majority of people in Wivenhoe know that a 20mph speed zone is going to be introduced in the area below the railway bridge. What many people do not know is that Colchester Borough Council has agreed, in principle, to look at the introduction of 20mph zones in all residential areas.”

Tellingly, the Cllr concluded by adding:

“Extensive consultation and engagement with the community of Colchester needs time and some monies, which in this present economic climate, is not yet available.”

Here’s hoping that when the wonga is finally freed up, whatever administration is currently sitting at the Town Hall won’t forget to carry out the consultation.

There’s little argument against 20′s plenty (although a guarded effort was attempted to derail it at Monday’s WTC meeting.) It makes sense in lower Wivenhoe, with only Station Road being a possible problem area to enforce.

A brief mention of the AGM of the Workers Education Association on 4th April at the Methodist Hall, as well as a heads up for WivSoc’s riverbank clean up at 10am on the 10th then follows.

And then we’re into the Wivenhoe arty territory, which holds far more editorial entertainment. Helen Chambers‘ review of Jack and the Beanstalk is bang on the money, when stating:

“Brian Ford’s script was very witty and clever, and I admired Matt Linley’s direction. Sarah Rout, as Silly Billy, gave a flawless performance. Hazel Humphreys (Jack) has stand-up comedy credentials.”

Talking of seamless comedy timing: Wivenhoe’s Very Own Comedy Club adds on p.13:

“Wil Hodgson will be performing at Wivenhoe’s very own comedy club, the Funny Farm. The club night will be held on 31st March at the Cricket Club.”

Oklahoma! gets a brief plug, as does the Colne Community College Choir’s concert at the Congregational Hall on the 2nd April. Local artist Annie Bielecka exhibition at the Red Lion Bookshop in Colchester also gets a mention.

Which all leaves us with the snappy Chronicle headline on p.15 of: New Facial Aesthetics Centre is Officially Opened by Town’s Mayor.

Cripes.

“A new local business, the Wivenhoe Faceplace, was officially opened by the Mayor of Wivenhoe. The new venture is a facial aesthetics centre, specialising in rejuvenating anti-wrinkle injections, dermal fillers, lip enhancements and tooth whitening.”

I couldn’t possibly comment on the potential for customers within Wivenhoe. I can pass comment however on Mr Mayor’s fine stance in supporting the business. As explained to WTC on Monday evening:

“Faceplace very kindly donated a £200 voucher for the Mayor’s Charity Auction. I am happy to support any business that helps to raise money locally.”

Hear, hear.

Must dash - time to moisturise.

The Brightlingsea and Wivenhoe Chronicle is distributed free amongst local households. Additional copies are 25p from local newsagents.

And so having cycled to Brightlingsea and back at breakneck speed last weekend, I thought for my birthday I would commence the great Tendring Coastal Exploration that lies ahead for this summer. A sedate estuary walk out towards Brightlingsea would be a good start.

Back in South London and a good Sunday afternoon out meant walking to The Oval tube, rather than catching the bus. But when in Wivenhoe, then you have to do things slightly differently (although a bus did ultimately feature in the travel itinerary of @AnnaJCowen and I.)

Starting off from Wivenhoe Quay, we walked the familiar route out towards Alresford Creek. Today wasn’t a day for grumbling, but on the great Colne Clearance debate and I note that the roots of the vandalised rosehips, blackberries and sloes are slowly starting to emerge into the spring estuary air once again.

High tide around 11am was indeed something rather special. I overlooked the jollity of my walking companion who tried to high tide me with a hand slap - seriously. I smiled politely at any passing dog walker.

We reached the Creek and then did a slight detour out towards Thorrington Tidal Mill. I know that the Pop Genius of this Parish eulogises about the historic building in the wonderful A Prospect of Wivenhoe. Beautiful though the location may be, the constant rumbling of car traffic heading back and forth to Brightlingsea slightly spoils the scenic ambience.

No worries - with Brightlingsea Church within out sites (lovely daffs by the way) we ambled on towards the estuary. You may think that walking from The Flag down to the Quay back at base is something of a struggle. The Wivenhoe Run is a mere leg stretcher however when compared to the sheer length of the approach into Brightlingsea town centre.

A brisk exploration of the Lido (mmm - not quite the beauty of Brockwell, but any outdoor swim is a good swim,) a stroll along the front and then a Sunday birthday lunch of fish ‘n chips along the sea front.

The trip was planned to perfection with time for a couple of pints at the Station Tavern, ahead of the 16:18 back into Wivenhoe.

The old boozer in Brightlingsea makes The Station in Wivenhoe appear more like the inner interior of The Ritz. The pub has character all right, along with damn decent beer. It is to my great regret that I overlooked a pint of Crab ‘n Winkle mild to set me up for the birthday celebrations ahead.

We were back in Wivenhoe in time for the second half of the football, and back to reflect that although Brightlingsea may be a near neighbour, I think that we may the right decision in deciding to make a home of Wivenhoe.

The summer months promise similar Tendring Peninsula explorations. The plan is to cycle out towards Clacton, Frinton and Walton etc (oh to live the high life) and then catch the train back to Wivenhoe.

But that’s for another day.

Or even another birthday.

Full flickr stream over here.

Well that felt rather wonderful - rolling out of Wivenhoe on Sunday morning for a brisk bike ride out towards Brightlingsea.

Blimey.

Truth be told and the Giant road bike hasn’t seen any North Essex estuary action since the Great Escape. It somehow managed to side step the South London culling of the fleet, when I cut back on the bikes that I would need around these parts. The Wivenhoe Trail may be ace for my Essex MTB, but I don’t think that the Herne Hill track bike would have enjoyed the terrain around the Hythe.

And that really has been my main bicycling adventure since early autumn - back and forth along the Trail, en route for the daily dip. Alresford Creek occasionally gets a look in, always on the MTB, always at a leisurely pace.

Local road clubs have been sourced, and I am still keen to roll out with the good folk of Colchester Rovers one Saturday morning. But I have been conveniently finding an excuse not to saddle up and put sixty plus miles in the legs to start off the weekend.

I thought that maybe my racing days are over. I bonked badly on the banks at le velo for my final season of track racing. Rolling out with the Dulwich Paragon faired little better, with my King of the Mountain reputation (yeah, right…) receding as we approached the climbs of Crystal Palace.

But then for some unknown reason this weekend, my mind was telling me to take a spin on the road bike and see how the legs felt. Turns out it was the right choice - a trip down to the bike shed and the MTB has picked up a puncture overnight anyway.

Bugger.

And so out came the Giant, the cleats clicked into place and a lycra clad fool rolled out towards Rectory Road.

Oh Lordy.

Brightlingsea was within my radar. A working Sunday meant that I had just less than an hour for the ride there and back. Tourism of the North Essex Riviera can wait for another day.

Out of Wivenhoe, through Alresford (I think it was closed…) and then on towards the coast. My legs picked up the pace with the first few miles. I even found that I was hitting top gear and finding the right lines for the corners.

Twenty minutes later and the coastal smell of fish ‘n chips was wafting through the fresh Brightlingsea air. With the work clock ticking down back at base, I didn’t even bother to de-cleat as I turned around and put my pedals down for the return leg.

Even with such haste, a bicycle is truly the most majestic way in which to explore the delights of the countryside that make up this truly beautiful part of the country. Crossing the railway line at Alresford and you are presented with a picture postcard view of the Colne, slowly rolling back and forth towards Wivenhoe.

I may just leave my MTB puncture unattended for the next few days or so. I never was any good in getting my grubby hands around a bike repair kit. The road bike is back, and the estuary bike lanes are mine to explore.

Chapeau!

With a glorious spring estuary weather to guide us along the way, Tuesday morning was spent having a sneaky upstream view of Wivenhoe from within the epicentre of the Colne Flood Barrier.

Blimey.

The event was part of the annual Open Day organised by our friends (steady) from the Environment Agency. Three sessions were advertised, each with a maximum capacity of twenty flood barrier nosey parkers.

Arriving fashionably late as ever, it was great to see around one hundred Wivenhoe locals being allowed within the control room of the EA operations for a brief talk, Q & A’s and then a stroll out along the Wivenhoe arm of the barrier itself.

The presentation was part historical, part technical. We learnt that tidal patterns are monitored down at the Colne each day from as far up as North Scotland. This gives a thirty-six hour advance warning for any abnormal high tides ahead.

Thursday 10th already has the thick red marker pen treatment on the EA calendar. Sleep well though lower Wivenhoe - the barrier protects us (and a large area of Colchester) from five up to five metres of above average sea level.

To put this into perspective, if the barrier was around during the last great floods of 1953, Wivenhoe wouldn’t have noticed any difference down by the Quay.

Computer generated predictor models are constantly in place to help the protection. It’s not just the tidal surge that can cause problems - fresh water travelling downstream from the Colne is also taken into account. Those nice insurance companies are constantly asking questions about possible Wivenhoe tidal woes…

And now for the science:

Two hydraulically operated cylinders close the Colne Flood Barrier. These weigh seven tonnes each, and cost £94,000 when they were first manufactured back in 1992. If one of them fails, then the single cylinder can still shut and open the barrier.

The barrier is powered with a stand-alone oil bio-degradable generator. If Wivenhoe experiences a power cut and this coincides with a flood, rest assured - we won’t be getting wet in the dark. It takes fifteen minutes for the barrier to close, with an estimated 3,000 homes falling under the protection footprint.

The barrier is being refurbished in two years time on the twentieth anniversary after first being built. Half a million pounds of central government funding is paying for this. This has been ring-fenced free of any cuts, costed out as a safety analysis requirement. The work will take place over the summer of 2013, when the tide is traditionally at a seasonal low.

And then it was time to walk it like the man from the EA was talking it, and take a spring stroll out across the Colne Flood Barrier.

Cripes.

This was without a doubt the highlight of the morning. With a stunning early spring lighting up all the way down from the Hythe out towards Brightlingsea, the view was a crystal clear combination of blue (ish…) water and blue sky.

It gave you a fresh perspective of Wivenhoe and the surrounds from a commanding mid-steam position. I hadn’t realised the extremity of the bend that the Colne follows around the Roman River. Likewise I hadn’t counted on the sheer length of stretch that is West Quay, when compared to the old Quay itself.

A quick stroll back through the control room, and blimey - I found myself all alone at the master desk, key in the switchboard and a big red button flashing in front of me.

Mmm…

Now would not be a good time to make my mark in Wivenhoe by closing the barrier and creating a temporary bridge across to Rowhedge.

For all the knocking of the EA of late (um, by me) and the vandalism of the Colne sea wall, this really was a wonderful morning. It also *wasn’t* the most appropriate time to take the engineers of the barrier to task about the wider programme of destruction carried out by their unevironmentally sound sea wall colleagues.

The message that I took away from the morning is that the Colne Flood Barrier is all about systems, protocol and back-ups. Every eventuality has been taken into account to help keep Wivenhoe safe from future floods.

It may not be the most beautiful piece of architecture out in the estuary wilds, but the future may look a lot bleaker if it wasn’t there to keep an eye on the Colne for us.

To the Town Council office on Monday evening for the monthly meeting of the Wivenhoe Town Council.

Cripes.

Relax, m’South London Comrades - WTC is largely apolitical, comprising of locally elected representatives who have the best interests of the town at heart.

Unlike, um…

Democracy and representation appears to be alive and well within Wivenhoe. Eight of our fine councillors were in attendance, with apologies from the absent three.

Perhaps even more poignant was the appearance of seven locals in the public galley (random chairs scattered around the room) and a couple of local Colchester Borough Councillors to provide updates for their patch.

This was the first meeting of WTC since the blatant act of vandalism by the Environment Agency on the vegetatation of the banks of the Colne. Mr Mayor, Brian Sinclair, was aware of the public interest and moved this item to the top of the agenda.

Mr Mayor, explaining the position of WTC on the Colne clearance, read out a brief statement:

“We have had lots of phone calls and conversations since the work started. Wivenhoe Town Council empathises with the feelings of residents who are deeply angered and upset with the Environment Agency.

We were aware that the work was planned, but no actual start date was given. Local information was limited to A4 sized posters appearing by the site. We have made enquiries with the Environment Agency about the work. This is part of a national policy.

If any residents which to take the matter further, we have provided some information slips [reproduced below...] There is nothing else that we can do as a town council - we have done all that we can.”

The welcome information slip states:

Dear Resident,

WTC are aware and concerned about the distress caused by the rapid clearance of the sea walls. We are unable to stop this national policy but if you width to complain to the EA, the contact is 01473 706 100, [email protected]

A quick click and a rational email explaining your concerns, and hopefully the strength of local opposition regarding the destruction of our natural beauty will be registered.

But for some within the meeting, the statement from WTC didn’t go far enough. Up stepped a local resident to address the council, and to explain some revealing background information that has emerged through dealing with the EA staff on site.

“The notices put up by the EA were not specific to Wivenhoe. The same notices have been posted at scores of places all over East Anglia. In the case of Wivenhoe the reasons offered by the EA for the vegetation clearance turn out to be spurious. There’s no problem with rabbits, and the supposedly troublesome roots are still in the ground. There’s no problem with inspections – the inspectors have already graded the different sections of the seawall, in drawing up the Shoreline Management Plan. And there’s no risk to people and property upriver – that’s what the Barrier is for, to protect us from a repeat of the 1953 flood tide – and downriver, the possible future flooding of the grazing marsh has already been planned for, as part of the policy of managed retreat.

So, what’s the real reason for the vegetation clearance?

Nick Purdie [EA official] says: Our ultimate aim is to reduce all the vegetation to short grass – even long grasses are a problem because they mask bare earth - and it’s ‘bare earth’ which makes seawalls vulnerable in the event of over-topping by a tidal surge.

So this policy is all about planning for a worst-case scenario – which may be fine when there’s a risk to people and property – but doesn’t make sense downriver, in the event of a major flood, when flooding the grazing marsh would actually be necessary to absorb the pressure of the tide.

Mr Purdie also stressed how serious they are about achieving this objective of reducing the flora on seawalls to a monoculture. They’re currently experimenting at specific locations in Alresford, Brightlingsea and elsewhere with intensive regimes of repeated cutting: twice or three times a year. And they’re developing new technologies to do this, pioneering mechanical strimmers attached to diggers, which can do the job better than humans.

There’s a lot of controversy throughout East Anglia surrounding the Environment Agency’s policy on flood defences, (mainly to do with coastal erosion and managed retreat). One of the main complaints is the Agency’s repeated failure to notify and consult. Local Essex and Suffolk MPs like Therese Coffey (Suffolk Coastal) John Whittingdale (Maldon) and Priti Patel (Witham) are well aware of this. I think it’s worth people writing, if they feel strongly about this, to Bernard Jenkin.

Our case is a strong one:

It’s about the democratic deficit – the shocking lack of consultation.

It’s about bureaucratic arrogance – the policy being applied to Wivenhoe is inappropriate and incoherent.

And it’s about cost. The EA are spending £750,000 on this.

Where people and property are not at risk, it’s the needs of local residents and wildlife which should take precedence over the schemes of bureaucrats.”

Blimey.

This was a damning report to WTC, delivered with great passion and eloquence. It appears too late for any action to prevent this first wave of destruction. I would wager that the Environment Agency is not in for such an easy ride when they next return to the banks of the Colne, bent on yet further environmental destruction.

In support of WTC, Mr Mayor recognised the concerns of the local resident, and asked for a copy of the fine speech to fully take on the local concerns.

The rest of the WTC meeting was always then going to be routine, if indeed debate about Cook’s, the Wivenhoe Woodwork Party and Mr Mayor’s stolen civic bicycle (blimey) can ever be described as routine.

But first, here are some words from the big boys and girls of Colchester Borough Council. I rather liked the approach of Wivenhoe residents having speaking rights ahead of our CBC friends.

Councillor Cory of Wivenhoe Cross ward addressed the meeting first:

“I have mainly been dealing with parking complaints. Students are usually to blame. I approach this problem methodologically. If cars are parked illegally then I contact the police. If it is inconsiderate parking then I attach a small flyer.

Potholes [aha!] are currently the bain of my life. The large hole by The Flag has now been filled in. Sadly it has now opened up again. I will keep on reporting this to Highways until it is fixed. I have asked why the CBC gritting policy doesn’t include estates and pavements.

There was an ASBO issue in my ward. I have been working closely with PCSO Neville, who has carried out some wonderful work to help resolve this. There are some drainage issues up towards Broomgrove. Anglia Water has been informed.”

Taking a walk downtown (and depending on your geographical point of view, either going upmarket or slumming it…) and next up was Councillor Quarrie of Wivenhoe Quay ward:

“We have just had the full budget meeting at CBC. We [the Conservative group] wanted to reduce the annual £150,000 funding for local councils. Sadly this was voted out.”

A written report from Councillor Julie Young of Essex County Council (so many layers of the political onion to peel away here in Wivenhoe) was then read out by Mr Mayor:

“With the failure of the pedestrian crossing by the Co-op to reach any conclusion, I have successfully lobbied for a new bus shelter to be built with the funds.

I am happy to report that no libraries will be closing in Essex. There will be reduced opening hours for some libraries, although Wivenhoe doesn’t appear to be affected.

The transport subsidy for parents whose children attend Faith schools will be reduced. This will impact on Wivenhoe parents who send their children to the Catholic school in Colchester. Families on low income will still receive support.

The full budget for Essex County Council is being set this week. Women’s Refuge and Alcoholics Anonymous look like having funding being withdrawn. We are making slow progress [arf!] with the 20mph speed zone for Wivenhoe.”

With the WTC meeting now racing through the agenda, hopes were high of catching the second half of the West Ham match back at base. Feedback was then provided on the various sub-committees that comprise WTC. You’d be hard pressed to find a better named committee anywhere in the land that can compete with out very own Wivenhoe Woodwork Party - oh yes…

A report on public transport produced great excitement (steady the buffers) with news of the new bus stops in Colchester. Amazingly the Wivenhoe bus stops are actually correct for once.

Questions were raised about whom is liasing with the fine May Fair folk regarding the traffic flow on the big day. Mr Mayor confirmed that a meeting is planned for later this week.

Other transport issues were then discussed, but sadly the Fog of Politics got in the way. A bit of CBC politico gossiping between our borough council friends in-between WTC contributions, and I couldn’t catch all of the details (transport matters - *not* CBC chitter chatter.)

No worries. On to Planning.

Oh Lordy…

Councillor Cyril Liddy updated WTC with recent applications. Changes to the front of the Royal British Legion have been submitted (supported by the good folk of WivSoc) as well as “various miscellaneous domestic applications.”

Of greater interest however is the continuing saga of Cook’s Shipyard. Councillor Liddy confirmed:

“The developer is now ready to move forward and wants to know when we can sign the lease. This is in the hands of the solicitors - we’re not actually ready yet.”

It seems that the developer has made a change to the original planning application regarding the five polyfunctional [urgh!] units. A change of use from A1 to A3 has been put forward. CBC has no objections. Once again the Fog of Politics prevented me from hearing further.

The Personnel Committee confirmed that WTC’s wonderful litter picker, Ray, has announced his plans for a well-deserved retirement. Mr Mayor praised Ray and his work with the highest regard, adding, “he will be impossible to replace.”

Hear, hear. It seems that everywhere I go around the town, Ray is always present. Has this man be cloned?

The Finance and Admin Committee reported that the WTC budget has been re-affirmed. Speaking of penny-pinching, with the imminent move of our local police team to the fire station, it was also confirmed that the WTC policy is to try and keep the old buildings in public use. Discussions are taking place as to how WTC can acquire them.

The Best Value Committee (not quite the best committee title, but close…) reported on the plan for WTC to purchase some basic IT equipment for planning purposes. This will allow submissions to be projected on to the wall, rather than shuffling around paper copies.

Still with us?

It was around this stage of the evening that I was in need of a comfort break. And with perfect timing, it’s only an update from the Working Party on the refurbishment of the ladies loos at the William Loveless Hall.

Oh Lordy.

Pleased to report that the marbled halls of female sanitary (um…) are on time and budget. A grand opening is expected in time for Mr Mayor’s Charity Ball next month. Hurrah!

Trumping the Best Value and the toilet updates was of course the Wivenhoe Woodwork Party. Nope - not a late night carpentry lock in at The Station, but valuable updates regarding the upkeep of Wivenhoe Wood. The bark (ouch) is worse than the bite - all is well within Wivenhoe Wood.

It was then wonderful to hear the highest praise coming the way of Wivenhoe youth facilities, and in particular, the re-launched Hub down at the Phillip Road Centre.

Tuesday evenings were reported as being a tremendous success. WTC credited the individuals involved, for growing such a fantastic facility out of so few resources. It was also noted on record how pleased WTC is to see a return of the Wivenhoe Youth Council. Mr Mayor is keen to involve this body in more formal visits to the Town Council offices.

A request has been from members of the Hub to extend the skateboard facilities at KGV. This is currently being considered by WTC.

Community Safety reported that crime in Wivenhoe is currently on the up.

Wwwwwwhat…?

Sleep safely at night my friends - all crime is bad crime, but don’t believe the hard data. Mr Mayor’s proud civic bicycle (re-cycled from a council skip, donchta know….) was only half-inched right outside The Greyhound.

The Scoundrels!

Councillor Penny Kraft fed back on the latest NAP meeting - more (much more over here...)

Finance then reported on the sale of some chairs from the William Loveless Hall. I think this is Dave’s #bigsociety in action, right on our Wivenhoe doorstep.

On Administration matters, plans are pressing ahead to abolish the Cross and Quay distinctions for WTC matters. This will not affect the CBC wards. With an increased workload, the plan is also to raise the number of (unpaid) WTC councillor’s from eleven to thirteen.

Did someone say an election is around the corner…?

And finally, back to Highways, which always seems to be something of a hot potato around Wivenhoe. Elmstead Road is due to close for essential gasworks for a period of five weeks. This will cover roughly the stretch from The Flag up to the football club.

The advance planning and publicity by the gas utility was praised by WTC as an example of how outside agencies *can* work successfully in partnership with local representatives and residents.

I think that’s the nearest that WTC will come to having a dig at the Environment Agency. Meanwhile, the diggers down at the Colne edge ever closer towards the old Crab ‘n Winkle line…

A winter walk out to Thorrington Tide Mill was the challenge. What could possibly go wrong, as we set off out of Wivenhoe *ahem* rather late in the afternoon with the bruising skies above looking foreboding?

Um…

The inspiration behind the walk was twofold. The wonderful Wivenhoe Encyclopaedia details the walk, as well as Martin Newell, the pop genius of this parish, enthusing about the panoramic scenes in his ace Prospect of Wivenhoe book.

Having already explored the Wood, Rowhedge and Alresford, the next logical location in the Saturday afternoon series of walks for @AnnaJCowen and I had to be out towards Thorrington.

Armed with a ropey print off of the Wivenhoe Encyclopaedia map (which to be fair, isn’t exactly OS quality in its original form,) and boastful claims of “back before tea,” everything was going fine until we reached Alresford Creek.

The realisation that the girl had forgotten the hip flask was the first crisis flash point. Failing to comprehend how utterly stupid it is to be stuck in the great outdoors during darkness, was a bit of a downer - they don’t have streetlights around here, y’know.

Ever creative, the Wivenhoe Encyclopaedia map is actually three maps rolled into one. For a non-creative cartographer that gets lost just reading street signs, this was all rather confusing.

Hey hoe - we pressed on, although not too sure exactly where on actually was. I don’t believe in re-tracing your footsteps to try and seek inner knowledge, but a quick scan of google maps back at base leads me to believe that we actually completed all three walks - twice over as well.

Cripes.

But away from the amateur rural exploration skills, both the Wivenhoe Encyclopaedia, and the pop genius of this parish were right about one thing: Thorrington Tide Mill is simply stunning. Not the building but se, but the views that it offers out towards Brightlingsea, and then back down the Creek and all the way back to Alresford.

A mere half hour walk out of Wivenhoe (yeah, right…) and you are presented with a landscape that can compete with the best that the British Isles has to offer. That’s not something that you can often say about Brightlingsea.

Blimey.

The return leg required a bit of guess work (“follow the Creek” - ah!) and soon we were back at Wivenhoe. In the absence of any hip flask activity, it would have been rude not to continue our afternoon of exploration, with the Black Buoy soon appearing on our radar.

Chin chin.

Thorrington strikes me as the type of place that is forever changing. Having approached it under rather brutal winter conditions, I look forward to a summer return. Don’t forget the hip flask, luv.

My Wivenhoe Trail routine route is to cycle East each morning, Bannatyne bound and past the Hythe. It’s an enjoyable enough ride, observing the changing tidal levels and the transition from the wildlife of Ferry Marsh, down to the semi-industrial Colne banks by the Hythe. Compared with the average UK daily commute, you couldn’t ask for a more perfect way to peddle start your morning.

But it is the opposite West of Wivenhoe Trail route which holds the fascination for me, and likewise for many others whom I have met of late. Sadly the Trail on the old Crab ‘n Winkle Line taking you out towards Alresford Creek can’t offer the luxury of the indoor Bannatyne pool and spa, as can be found in the opposite direction.

I am a man of routine - I therefore have no reason to cycle along the old Crab and Winkle Line each morning. All of this *may* possibly change next spring, when the wetsuit makes a comeback and I replace indoor swimming with a daily dip in the Colne instead.

Nope, the glorious, glorious stretch past the Sailing Club, alongside White House Beach and then the end of the line at the Creek, is a route that has so far been reserved for special occasions. Which usually means the weekend run, a luxury that my aching body can no longer withstand for a full seven days of the week.

High (ish) tide and a blue skyline greeted my running route this weekend. I returned back to base, threw a bicycle helmet in the direction of @AnnaJCowen and told the girl that we needed to be out there to make the most of the landscape. I forgot to tell her that she may star in my latest hit and miss video, but at least my cycling companion brought some faded glamour to my latest flip cam effort.

What I simply adore about this side of the Wivenhoe Trail is how you can observe something different each time you pass along the track. This list isn’t exhaustive either - the path to the Creek changes every day as the seasons slowly take hold of the landscape, and present a new vista in which to reach out to.

Such a shame then that I whizzed along on my Essex MTB, and then speeded up the footage back at base. Hey hoe.

The changing trail surface also helps to preserve the longevity of my weekly runs. I love the transition from gravel, to mud, and then back on to road running as I head back to Wivenhoe via Ford Lane, and then along the Alresford Road.

The natural stopping point that the Creeks puts in your way seems just perfect for my own running engine. Any further milage and I’d hit the metaphorical wall. Brightlingsea can wait, for now.

And so with apologies for any dog walkers / ramblers / fellow bicyclists who momentarily became caught up in my nonsense filming session on Sunday, sit back and enjoy above a ride along the old Crab and Winkle Line.

Chapeau!

Music: Cocteau Twins, Bluebeard. No particular reason other than it fitted the length of the film. And it’s rather ace.

Plus: It has been pointed out to me that any readers coming to m’blog via Facebook don’t get the Viddler embeds. Grrr. This should see you right…