After a few weeks break from our coastal road trip, we are now continuing our journey, this time over four days from Ipswich in Suffolk to Worthing in West Sussex. Hence the sunny weather in the Ipswich picture (September), then a bit gloomy as we continued into Essex (October).
Photo of the day
A helter-skelter on Clacton-on-Sea’s pier.
Ipswich
Our last photo as we finished the first 5 weeks of our Coastal Road Trip at Ipswich Waterfront. Feeling quite pleased with ourselves!
Mistley
Working our way down the south side of the River Stour we made the first stop of the day at Mistley Towers in Essex, the remains of the Church of Saint Mary the Virgin.
Harwich
The wooden Ha’penny Pier at Harwich, named after the original toll charge for the Victorian pier. The Port of Felixtowe in the gloomy background.The Lightvessel LV18 moored off the Ha’penny Pier, the last surviving example of a manned Trinty House light vessel, now a museum.Harwich High Lighthouse that was used in combination with the Low Lighthouse as a leading light for Harwich Harbour.And the Low Lighthouse on the promenade, now the local Maritime Museum.Then just a few minutes further along the coast we reached the two matching iron towered Dovercourt Low and High Lighthouses.
Walton on the Naze
The navigational Naze Tower north of Walton on the Naze. With a beacon at the top, it was used as an early form of lighthouse to guide ships through the Goldmer Gap.Walton on the Naze Beach… and the sun trying to make an appearance. Yay!Walton on the Naze Pier. To be honest we had seen better looking piers, though the brightly painted beach huts attempted to brighten-up the area.
Frinton On Sea
A rather elaborate looking clock tower shelter on the Frinton Beach Esplanade.
Holland-on-Sea
More beach huts adding some colour to Holland Haven near Holland-on-Sea.
Clacton-on-Sea
Stopping for some lunch at Clacton Pier.The helter-skelter looking a bit spooky on the deserted pier.Just proving we were there 😉Some rather scary looking steps down to the sea from the pier.Clearly we were out of season with the empty entertainment noticeboards.
Brightlingsea
If it’s not lighthouses it’s beach huts today!
West Mersea
A rather unloved looking boat at West Mersea….… and the houseboats looking like they are in the middle of a field.
Tollesbury
Another Trinity Lightship, also with the illusion of being moored in a field.
Heybridge
The picturesque lock at Heybridge Basin, joining the Blackwater estuary and the canal to Chelmsford.
Maldon
Old Thames barges moored at Maldon’s Hythe Quay.The barges had been beautifully restored, several are still in use as charters.
Bradwell-on-Sea
As walked down a long farm track to the remote St Peter’s Chapel we came across this funny sign. Something was ‘coming soon’, not sure what…St Peter’s Chapel on the headland near Sales Point, one of the oldest Chistian churches in England, dating from the 7th century. Around a thousand years later, in the 17th century it was in use as a barn. You can still see where the barn doors were placed on the side.We were surprised that the church door was open, so we had a quick look inside. Pretty good condition for 1,400 years old!
Burnham-on-Crouch
The Yacht Harbour at Burnham-on-Crouch, our final stop of the day before heading to Southend-on-Sea for the night.
