It was my intention today to replace my lost waterproof jacket with something from a charity shop. However, as it was a Bank Holiday weekend I didn't know if the shops would keeping Sunday hours and therefore not open until 10.00am. Simon, my Airbnb host for last night had prepared a list of the shops and drawn me a wee street map to keep me right. After sharing a light breakfast with Simon, I made my farewells and left to be at the shops on the Broadway for 9.00am 'just in case'. Waste of time! Sunday hours. Nothing for it but to go in to a local cafe (which thankfully was open) and have another 'proper' breakfast. By the time I had revisited the charity shops and finally got myself a slightly large light jacket, it was, alarmingly, already late morning and no miles walked.
You may remember a couple of days ago I had to burst and dress a bad blister on the second toe of my right foot. Despite my best efforts to maintain hygiene in the field, the toe has festered again and it is very painful to put pressure on it. As I walked through the old harbour area I passed by the St John's First Aid Centre. The first aiders were crowded at the top of the stairs 'people watching' and, I took from that, that they were not too busy. Despite the fact that I was already very late in setting off, I decided it would be sensible to get someone to take a look at my toe before it got any worse. So off I went in to the first aid post where I was seen immediately and had my toe cleaned, sterilised, dead skin excised and toe dressed within about forty-five minutes. It was so much easier to walk on after that, so it was time well spent and I am gratefull to the ladies and gents who deliverthe service for their efforts.
My route carries on west through the park to drop down and link up with the seawall path as it comes up from Benfleet Creek. At this point I would be following the fairly new Thames Estuary Path (TEP), which I hoped would be well sign-posted to assist me through Fobbing Marshes. The wish turned out to be a curse! The TEP runs for twenty-nine miles from Leigh-on-Sea to Tilbury, passing through some lovely Essex countryside bordering the Thame Estuary. It can be broken in to five separate parts of fairly easy mileage, utilising six different railway stations. Alternatively, you can link up different sections for slightly longer walks.
My preference was to walk the seawall but with the time constraints I was now under it had to be the more straightforward Hadleigh Park route, which was slightly shorter. Covering almost five-hundred acres, Hadleigh Country Park, officially established in 1987, but in use by the public in one way or another since the 19C, is used by walkers, cyclists and horseriders who come in large numbers to enjoy the beautiful walks, cycle routes and brideways, with lovely views over the creeks, rivers and Downs of Essex and on over Canvey Island to the Thames and the hills of Kent beyond.
As it was already quite late and some time since breakfast, during a short break in the rain, I took the opportunity at the top of the hill, just below the site of Hadleigh Castle (circa 1370), to stop and have a bit of lunch. At the back of the fort, towards the northwest, lay Hadleigh Farm. Owned and operated by the Salvation Army, the farm and training centre has provided employment and training opportunities for men and women who have experienced difficult times, including people with learning difficulties, for over one-hundred and twenty years.
As I entered the church grounds there was a couple sitting just outside the front door and obviously having a domestic. I tried hard to ignore them, not intrude and to just enjoy the peace, quiet and spirituality of the churchyard but they were going at it hammer and tongs. I could gather they were separated and had met there to try and make up but it was a wasted exercise. He looked very hung over and she was out for blood. Giving up, I left the churchyard while they were still arguing but he passed me by at pace and took off in a wee sports car. For a millionth of a second I was tempted to go back and check on the woman but, suspecting I would be the butt of her anger cowardice won out.
Eventually, following the farmer's directions, I found the path by going through the long grass by the bee hives (he told me it was too cold for them to be flying; he lied), to the bridge hidden in and covered by hedgerow, crossed a field of corn to find a second bridge, equally covered and hidden from view by hedgerow and bracken, to cross a field of broad beans, across a field of Spring barley, through a field of peas, to find the track to take me to the village of Corringham. And this was the official public path!
Last bit, promise. It was very late by now and I was already past the arrival time for the campsite I was using. Emerging from my field adventure, I met a young couple, Gordon & Sara, trying to hack back brambles growing opposite their house. As the campsite I was heading for was off my route I thought it would be fine to take some form of transport to the campsite and see if they would still let me register despite the lateness of the hour. I queried busses and taxis with Gordon and Sara but neither were available. Nothing would have it but Sara insisted on taking me in her car. No ifs, no buts, no maybes, just get in the car, offered me food and drink and just were all round wonderful. It is fantastically reassuring that in a world of increasing of fear and resentment of strangers, there is still kindness and compassion in the world. Thank you Gordon & Sara.