Were you one of those driving over the causeway to Wallasea Island last Sunday lunchtime? You may have been bemused by the sight of RSPB staff, volunteers and what looked like a paparazzi scrum on the side of the marsh and a group of canoeists hauling up at the edge of the road.
Excitement built as we waited for the 'dry'run for our Wild Coast Paddle, an event which will take place on May 15. The tide was forecast to be very high last weekend, so we focussed our binoculars on the Crouch, hoping to see our intrepid paddlers on their way to float over the road, heading for Pagglesham for a well-earned lunch stop. Local RSPB volunteer photographer Steve was soon joined by our 2020 Vision project photographers and the suspense ran high as we all watched the tide swell over the marsh on either side, and wondered if we should move our cars from a nearby layby!
In the end, the tide lapped the very edge of the road but did not cover it, as 8 canoeists paddled over from the Royal Burnham yacht Club. This caused a logistical hitch, and we then had to help them with haulage across the narrow causeway, to continue their journey right round the island. Never ones to miss an opportunity, the photographers were happy though, as they got lots of action shots and it was such a beautiful warm day that we all enjoyed the resulting 'craic'. Having duly waved them off on their way to Pagglesham, we met up again for fortifying refreshments in the Plough and Sail, and later for 'afternoon tea' (RSPB style) at a great picnic spot on Wallasea Ness, the beach at the very eastern corner of the island. Thus suitably refreshed our intrepid paddlers sailed off into the sunset and a welcome recovery in the RBYC!
I'd like to thank Chris and Anne who travelled all the way from Banbury to take part in the practise, and I hope they have a great summer in their Canadian. To the rest of the boys from the canoe clubs of Essex - "see you on Sunday May 15!!"
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I've gone wild on Wallasea!