Coastal walk on the Blackwater estuary

The plan was to do a walk with a sea breeze and cooler temperatures but that didn’t work out. We drove to a lovely little village near Malden in Essex parked up and set out for the day.

We had a 10 or 12 mile walk planned along the coastal path and then back through the villages inland. The temperature soon reached 35° C with little or no breeze. Not the weather forecast we’ve been promised. Still, it was lovely to take in the sea air. 

A few very warm miles in we walked past the Radio Caroline ship, the Ross Revenge. Where was that sea breeze we been promised?

We had a decision to make. Did we do the full 12 miles that we had planned or did we cut inland  a little earlier? The only sensible thing at this stage was to take a shorter route back. 

Thankfully, for the hour, Some cloud gave us respite from the heat and an occasional light breeze was very, very welcome.

Despite taking a shorter route, the walk was still 10.75 miles. The sight of the village Church was very welcome. Half an hour later, we dropped off the rucksacks at the car and made our way to the emergency rehydration station.