As I made my escape from the mad cows I had a ditch to cross, one of the many drainage ditches that criss-cross the land. When I came over it the night before it had a depth of about six inches of water and was about twelve inches wide. Now, because of the storm and the tide was in (the Colne is a tidal river) it was about four feet across and three feet deep of dirty, smelly water, stinking of manure from the herd of cows. I walked up and down the length of it trying to find a bit where I could safely cross but it was too wide. Eventually, I found a bit where I could throw my rucksack over to the other bank and then walked down to another slightly narrower bit and it was off with the boots, socks and trousers and I waded across.
Afterwards, I needed to stand on the bank of the ditch and wash myself down with my cold drinking water and shower gel. Thankfully, it was too early for their to be people around and my modesty was preserved. Already cold and wet from the night's experiences it was not what I would have wished for to start the day. The whole exerience left me thinking 'what a plonker'.
By-passing Lagenhoe, I continued on the Fingringhoe Road to the road-end, crossed over the B1025 to take a public footpath for a short way across some open land to join the Peldon Road, running down to the village of the same name. Initially I decided to walk along the road that skirts the top of the village of Peldon, but as I was leaving the village behind I decided to double back on the bottom road and see if I could find someplace to eat. I'm glad I did because, despite the early hour; it was about 11.15am, I had a great welcome from the barmaid, Charlie, at the The Plough and subsequently enjoyed a great feed of fish and chips , lots of cold drinks and copious amounts of tea.
The remains of the Great Wigborough Henge are also located in the grounds of Abbot's Hall, albeit there is little to see above ground. A scheduled ancient monument dating back to approximately AD920, henges were generally used for ceremonial purposes.
My plan was to continue on through Salcott without stopping and on to access the seawall just outside the eastern edge of the village. Passing the current parish church there was a sign up saying tea and coffee available for visitors and I went in to take advantage of the offer. While in there I went to take photographs of the church but could not find my camera. The vicar was in the church and noticed me hunting in my rucksack and when I said I thought I had left my camera at the bus stop in Great Wigborough she insisted on taking me back there in her car to see if we could find it. The journey was unsuccessful but I was moved by her kindness to a stranger.
To be honest, I just wanted the day finished and the opportunity to lie down; which was worrying given it was only day four of the walk. A good thing from this section of the walk was that I walked part of it with a local man and when I told him I was wild camping that night he advised me to try the yachting club at the marina as they had a field at the back of the club house that they used for members. Although it wasn't advertised for camping he knew they sometimes let other people use it. The thought of a shower and a meal in the clubhouse fair cheered me up and gave me an added bit of energy.
There was one other couple on the camp site when I arrived and I went over and introduced myself to Lance and Babs and we spent a long time talking then and later in the clubhouse. Before I left the next morning, I took their photograph with my camera which I had found at the bottom of the ruchsack, obviously thrown in there when I was getting away from the coos. But while I had the camera back then, it was to disappear for good the next day. So, sorry Lance and Babs, fame will have to wait but thank you for your company.
Fed, watered and above all, clean, I was in bed for nine and sleeping by five past, not to stir until seven o' clock the next morning. It is truly amazing the powers of recovery of the human body after a shower, a meal and a good night's sleep.