Clacton & the River Stour

I'm not all that busy at work and with the best looking weather (not too hot, not too wet) scheduled for Friday I took the day off. One's phone is so powerful nowadays that you can do nearly all of your work with that alone. Following on from my ride through Great Dunmow a longer ride was suggested to me of Great Dunmow to Frinton & back. I'm clearly not as fit as the lady who suggested it and not yet ready for a 100 miler (the road distance was only 90 but somewhere some more miles usually get added) but Frinton hadn't seen me for a few years and I like the place. I got the maps out and cut this section out of them (they were 20 years old, curling at the edges and a new book has been ordered which will have quite a few roads on that weren't in the previous edition). 

I decided upon a circular route which encompasses the agricultural countryside of essex, the coast and a river. I could have started anywhere, and if you don't have a car you could start at Clacton or Manningtree railway stations (connected with London Liverpool St) but I chose Brantham as being likely to have somewhere to park for free and it did, a little residential service road where being parked all day was no trouble to anyone. Here's an overview of where I went.

It was mostly B roads all the way to Clacton and very pleasant.

The view across the river from Manningtree

and to the east. It was a bit dull to start and I was in short sleeves but the sun came out before too long

I knew about the Mistley Towers and the coastal route takes you straight past them

A little further on is this plaque about the Witchfinder General. A dreadful piece of our history which you can read about here.

The plaque is on the side of what is now the Mistley Thorn Hotel which I have stayed and eaten dinner at, it is top quality

Here is a view of lovely buildings across the road from the hotel

The Acorn Village coffee shop in Mistley was closed. I had only done a few miles so it was too early for me. This looks like a fine charitable enterprise to support if in the area 

I can't ride past such a fantastic water tower without a photo.

The Bicycle bar and restaurant in Tendring (aimed at people who like to eat well) was closed which was just as well, it was still too early for me to be tucking into proper food.

Also in Tendring, a fabulous looking property, available to hire for weddings and other events, should you have one.

Soon, I was in Weeley. Always good to have a village pond.

Not long after, i could see the sea at Clacton.

It is only a short walk along the pier.

Oops, 2/10 for spelling. Why is there an apostrophe in emergency's ? On the Tendring District Council website they also refer to Clacton-on-Sea. Double oops.

Holland-on-Sea doesn't get the same publicity as Clacton-on-Sea or Frinton. It looked fine to me.

I was delighted the coast is being protected.

I like old buildings but also striking modern ones. This one in The Esplanade at Holland-on-Sea was built in 2012. It has a sea view.

You can see that I was cycling up the coast into a brisk head wind.

The view behind the sign.

Cycle route 150 is away from the traffic. It links Clacton-on-Sea to Frinton.

This car is advertising the Frinton Summer Theatre. It certainly catches the eye but is a bit down-at-heel for Frinton? 'Dear Lupin' is on at the moment.

I would not have been surprised if Hercule Poirot had popped out of this building. I would have asked him if he wanted to take a tissane.

Walton pier is a little longer.

I took this photograph as Harwich was visible in the distance and where I was headed.

Boating ponds have gone out of favour with many councils but as I arrived in Dovercourt, adjacent to Harwich, the local model boat lovers were busy.

You can read about the Dovercourt lighthouses here

I like Dovercourt. Quiet as not much sand and probably due to the industrial view. For sitting reading your book and having a paddle it looks fine to me.

Not the biggest museum but only £1 to get in, I just don't know when. A walk around Harwich is well worth it for the history. This building also used to be a working lighthouse.

Harwich is blessed to have a cinema which is currently being restored.

I locked my bike up here whilst I went round for the corner for lunch.

This was another place which I had previously stayed and dined at. I had yearned for another lobster from here for some time, I was told duing my last visit, possibly in 2014, that the lobster is purchased straight from the fisherman. They had the weights chalked up on a board last time but I didn't see it this time.

The lobster I had was a good size. It was chasing after 6 oysters which had already gone down well.

More history for you.

I was lucky to catch the last sailing of the harbour ferry to Shotley Park at 15:50 - I didn't pay enough attention when booking as I booked for me but not the bike. £4 for me and £1 for the bike which they were very nice about and I just got a coin out. The pilot kindly lifted my bike onboard and off at the other end. Chatting to other passengers the crossing passed quickly, just as well as it was a bit choppy. This shot is looking back at Harwich.

Here is the ferry, which holds 58 passengers (dogs are also an extra £1) going on to Felixstowe to moor up for the night.

Not far across the river from Shotley Park to Harwich unless you don't have a boat.

As grand entrances go this one is grand.

The house behind isn't shabby either.

I was starting to get tired, probably due to the two pints, so didn't stop to see where I was, I was outside Erwarton Hall.

You are welcome to follow this ride or any version of it (you could avoid the ferry and use the south side of the river which would knock a few miles off). I recommend booking at the Alma if you want your lunch at lunctime, I pitched up at 2pm so early diners had already left.

It is a lovely way to spend the day although if like me you drove to the start you will be pooped by the time you get home, as I still am the day after, although there wasn't all that much climbing, the head wind made me work harder. There are lots of things to look at on the way round.

Happy cycling

Derek