The Morning Run Route Having seen the forecast heatwave I decided to take a morning run today before the mercury (or whatever goes in thermometers these days!) had climbed above 19°! I get on quite well with early runs anyway so I set off at about quarter to 7, before my uncle had even woken up! Having become a little more familiar with the area thanks to my recent perambulations, I felt more confident to go a bit further and after exploring Hadleigh Great Wood a bit I decided to head out towards the castle ruins. I'm becoming an increasing fan of off road/trail running as you can probably tell from my recent posts though I think I need to work on my technique as I find I have to pay attention to the uneven ground and where I'm putting my feet far more than on the road.
| This in itself wouldn't be a problem and is probably to be expected, though it does mean that I don't get the opportunity to enjoy looking round at the landscape quite as much as I'd otherwise like. That's the benefit of having walked the route before I guess, you're already more aware of the surroundings. Well, that and you're less lost. I did manage to take it in a bit of course and more importantly sustained an upright position throughout so that's a good balance struck. And yes, that pun was intended! The sun was less intense on the castle at that time of day but dramatic nonetheless and I couldn't help musing on my way through (as I often do here) about the lives of those who built and worked in it when it was functioning. I wonder too, just how alien my own life would seem to those who finally see it crumble 'to dusty nothing'. | 
The Ruins at Hadleigh Castle and the Thames Estuary
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The North Sea from Leigh Old Village Having passed Hadleigh Castle, I headed down into Leigh Old Village and towards the seafront. This route takes you along behind the old (still functional) cockle sheds where the fresh catch is brought in daily before national distribution. You can also buy seafood direct from the fishermen. Not great for vegan unless you're in season for samphire but I have strongly positive memories of coming here with my parents to buy prawns, cockles and mussels before heading back to my uncle's for a messy but very happy paella making session with my mum! From here, I headed out further through the village, past the pubs, compulsory bucket, spade and tat shops, local history centre, pubs, artists' studios and, erm, pubs. Heading out along the sea front towards Southend (though I didn't go that far!) you can see Southend Pier, which was, if not still is, the longest pier in the world! It was even immortalised in Douglas Adam's A Hitchhikers Guide to the Galaxy and I used to be the proud owner of aa certificate confirming that I had braved amongst other things, jogger's nipple to walk to the end and back. Whilst becoming hyperactive on too much candyfloss no doubt. I don't think I knew what jogger's nipple was at the time but I'm damn well not going to subject myself to personal experience of that if I can help it. Runner's toes are enough for me. Having decided I'd better not push it and end up in Shoeburyness, I crossed back over the the train line that runs between Southend and Fenchurch Street and back up long the cliff top (hill reps anyone?!), arriving back in time and very ready for breakfast with Unc. (We couldn't find Tiffany.)
8.5 miles and a pleasantly nostalgic jaunt combined with a visual countryside based brain massage were exactly what I needed and I can't think of a better way that I could have got my last full day in the area off on the right footing. And yes. That was another pun.
8.5 miles and a pleasantly nostalgic jaunt combined with a visual countryside based brain massage were exactly what I needed and I can't think of a better way that I could have got my last full day in the area off on the right footing. And yes. That was another pun.
