Wivenhoe is am attractive small town, very popular at weekends. The long main street leads down almost to the waterfront where until fairly recently Cooks Shipyard was sited, sadly now replaced by a housing complex under construction. I have read that in former times Wivenhoe had a prosperous trade building fast vessels both for the smugglers and those who pursued them!

There are some good walks in this area. It is possible to follow the River Colne right back to the Hythe at Colchester, but we walked in the opposite direction, as far as Alresford Creek. It was high tide and the river appeared silver, reflecting the sky. Brent geese were still in residence with a large flock in flight.

We followed the sea wall, passing the derelict Ballast Quay, where in bygone times sand and gravel was loaded onto barges,. Aggregate is still being extracted in this area and flooded pits are an attractive feature of the landscape.

With the imposing tower of Brightlingsea church in view we turned inland for a short stretch before retracing our steps along the sea wall back to Wivenhoe.

I find tidal rivers most fascinating and I would recommend the sea wall here as easy walking, even for the most unfit, with seats along the way for the weary. But be warned, Wivenhoe car park is small and is often full, as we found out!

Sarah and Robin did a grand job leading this walk and I can’t wait to return, this time to linger on a summers evening and perhaps enjoy some refreshment on the quayside.