Benfleet, Leigh-on-Sea and Southend - 17th March 2012

In the middle of March, where are you most likely to find the Efoggers out walking?  At the seaside!  We had been to the Essex coast with Ken the week before and decided we liked it so much we would go again, this time on a linear jaunt from Benfleet along the downs via Hadleigh Castle to the historic old fishing town of Leigh on Sea, and then along the coast to Southend.  Unfortunately the weather wasn't quite as kind to Dolores, our leader for the day, as it was to Ken the previous week, but the rain held off, and what's a chilly wind to an Outdoor Group?!

The group at Hadleigh CastleAfter massing at Benfleet station we set off briskly up the hill, turning right into the fields above the estuary to follow the path along the Benfllet and Hadleigh Downs.  Misty views of Canvey Island and the shipping allowed us to indulge in a game of 'which house would you like to live in', between clambering over stiles and waiting in lines to do so, as the path seemed popular with more than our group on the day.  The ruins of Hadleigh Castle made an excellent view point (and was not on the top ten list of houses we would like to have) as the clouds lifted slightly on the way into Old Leigh.

The fact that Leigh-on-Sea is still famous for its locally caught seafood was not wasted on some members of the party.  The cockle sheds and Osborne's famous emporium proved a distraction, enough that lunch was strung out along the main cobbled street.  An obliging chip shop allowed us to use their outside benches for lunch in spite of minimal purchases of chips, and maximum purchases of hot tea!  After lunch, some of the group walked on through Westcliff to Southend itself, while those with other plans for the evening were able to break away early at the various stations en route.

The fun fair in Southend provided some last minute amusement - watching the riders screaming rather than joining in though - we Efoggers prefer to keep our feet on the ground! We did contemplate walking the pier, but decided we'd leave that for another time.

The total length of the walk for those that completed it from Benfleet Station to Southend Central Station was 7.5 miles

Sue U. March 2012