Day 14 – Perfect route, a day too early
Marstons are akin to Premier Inns, indeed the one I stayed in last night probably was a Premier Inn in the past. Comfortable bed and standardised bathroom with an excellent shower. The only niggle I had was that I had specifically rung them before I set off to ask for the policy on bikes and they said, “take it to your room”. However, when I checked in, they gave me a room on the first floor with no lift, so I had to lug Lucy upstairs - not as bad as Hull - and she’s no lightweight. Across the car park is the restaurant, not much in the way of healthy food with an emphasis on deep frying. I had battered mushrooms with a mayo dip as a starter and followed by beef lasagne and garlic bread with a few token leaves and sliced onions. It was fine but left me longing for some decent vegetables. Just across the way was a large Lidl so I was able to buy a bottle of wine for later.
I didn’t bother with breakfast, not particularly hungry and thought I’d stop during the day. The route out of Clacton was inland, but here’s the pier
The weather was fine with plenty of sun forecast and I was feeling good. There was a bit of cross-country to start with, reasonable surfaces but a few gates to open and close but I was soon in horsiculture country, indeed I was told off by a lady from her upstairs window that I was in her garden, having taken a wrong turn. I was soon back on the tarmac and heading for Wivenhoe, a pretty town on the river Colne that flows down through Colchester. Unfortunately, I hadn’t twigged that I needed to cross said river and the only way across at Wivenhoe was by ferry. Even more unfortunately the ferry only runs at weekends. The next crossing was about 3 miles upstream at Hythe, so thither I went. The track surface was generally good after the first mile, so I made good time. I then had to get back on my route which took a bit of head scratching, but I joined up at Fingringhoe after a 7 mile detour. The terrain was up and down but not severe and the battery was getting little use. I was close to the coast but no sign of water until I reached Heybridge and crossed the Chelmer river
And just to prove the sun was shining
Now at Maldon I had a decision to make. If I had crossed the river at Wivenhoe my route took me to Burnham-on Crouch, the Cowes of the east Coast. My route also factored in a crossing of the river Crouch by ferry to Wallasea island and a direct route to my destination in Southend but….. you’ve guessed it….. that ferry also runs only at weekends. I still had the opportunity to visit Burnham and then make my way back up the river to cross it at Battlesbridge, a detour of getting on for 30 miles. I was feeling good, the legs were full of power, my only problem was with my arms and shoulders which were aching, but I took the detour. The route to Burnham was pleasant with little traffic and, as I pulled into the town, I spotted the Burnham bakery and stopped to pick up a ham and cheese roll and a can of 7up to take and eat and drink on the quay. The owner was charming, and I told her of my adventure – cost £4 for as good a filled roll as you could ask for.
Here’s the ferry quay which I could have used tomorrow but alas….
The route on to Battlesbridge was a challenge. Only a B road but a lot of traffic on winding roads meant that I was holding it up. I stopped a couple of times to reduce the queue, but it was relentless, and I was relieved to reach South Woodham Ferrers. The respite was not long as I had to cycle along a very busy A road before turning off at Battlesbridge and finally crossing the River Crouch. Now it was pavement cycling to avoid the late afternoon traffic followed by some off road
And then back onto busy roads for the final push into Southend-on Sea. I’ve enjoyed today. It’s been a long journey, but the sun has been shining and I’ve felt good. I made my way down to the seafront to try to take a meaningful picture of the longest pleasure pier in world but it’s difficult with a poxy phone camera
Anyway it’s 1.33 miles long and is serviced by a railway if you don’t feel like walking. It has experienced several fires but has now been open for 20 years since the last catastrophe.
I made my way up from the promenade to the University of Essex buildings where I am staying the night. Lucy is locked onto a bike stand, and I have a single bed in a room 4 floors up a tower block. I was reassuringly told that fire drills had already happened for the day so if the alarm went off it would be for real!
