LIFETIME of WALKS by DEREK HARWOOD

Left Sylvia reading in car park in Wivenhole. Shipyard at '2' very run down. Huge catamaran hulls abandoned river cone barrage built between '3' and '11' in 1994 just to the top side of Wivenhoe boat club. Huge boats moored by sand and gravel pit on opposite bank. Heron fishing in shallows at '4'. Huge amounts of rubbish along railway bank, reason not obvious. Several concrete posts at '5' none of them numbered. Correct Path obvious. Ropeway equipment at '6' derelict but rope long gone. Disappointed to find the thatched cottage just before '7' was not there, instead a steep drop down to an old sand and gravel pit full of water with a multitude of wild fowl swimming. I disturbed a green woodpecker while I was searching for the thatched cottage. Surprised to see a 'danger quick sand' sign. New concrete road from '7' to '9'. Original bridleway on left hand side of concrete road from '8' to '9'. Most hedherows full of ripe blackberries, very tempting, on return path to Wivenhoe. Only one style at '10'. Ride coming in during walk, water noticeable higher when returning past boat yard. Couldn't find old garrison house on walk despite asking a fisherman. Eventually found it after the walk while strolling around Wivenhoe with Sylvia. I had walked straight past the house because the road was so narrow. Impossible to take a photo. Wonderful new quayside apartments in traditional styles upstream of Wivenhoe towards rowhedge.

Location Map: - www.streetmap.co.uk
Car Park in Wivenhoe.

Hazards: None