England Coast Path Part 31 Maylandsea to Heybridge basin

So today is a special day as we have guest walkers, we don't have guest's often but it's a pleasure when we do & as today is our last of three consecutive days it also can help with transport.

We have arranged to meet Joe & Nicky at our accommodation at Maylandsea, They have even made us a packed lunch. They arrive at the agreed time hand out the packed lunches & we lighten our bags leaving excess baggage in the car.

 Distance11.49 miles 60 feet 4 hours 

Elevation gain 60 feet

Time 4:03 Hours

Joe & Nicky join us as guest walkers

Starting at the sailing club we turn onto the sea wall starting on a gravel track but it soon turns into long grass, winding our way along the sea wall slowly getting nearer our destination.

The weather today is not bright sun like the last two days but cloudy & windy its still warm but the wind cools the air.

Happy walkers

Finally out of the long grass we are on the concrete sea wall approaching Heybridge which can be seen in the background of the photo above. Soon enough we are at Heybridge & stop at a cafe for a coffee & sandwich, Delicious they were too, always better when someone else makes them. Thank you Joe & Nicky.  

Refuelled we continue on our way past the docks where several square riggers moored.

We pass through the back streets of Heybridge past what would have been shipwrights sheds & yards now some have been turned into cottages.

No selfie Photo courtesy of Nicky

Now on the northern bank of the River Chelmer we pass a disused gravel pit now a bird sanctuary. Now on the home straight we arrive at Heybridge Basin.

All that's left for today is a gentle stroll along the Chelmer and Blackwater Navigation back into town to catch the bus back to Maylandsea.

The bus is full, full of very well behaved school children unlike the school children at Beulieu where the language was well not what you would expect.

Due to the bus being full I was standing near the driver, a very pleasant chap named  Alan with his neat tie & straw hat, he was a chatty chap quite amusing, the bus  was on diversion down some narrow country roads & Alan momentarily  forgot so had to turn the bus around in a small T junction. 

Reaching Maylandsea the bus stop is right next to the Joe's car. The next leg of our journey is for Joe to drop us back at our car in Burnham-on-Crouch.  the end of a great three days walking with some guests along the way.

Route