Anyone with doubts about the island status of our wild coast should have been on the causeway in recent days! A combination of unusually high tides and high pressure weather meant some visitors departure was delayed a little - as the picture posted will show. Although the uninitiated may not realise where you leave 'the mainland' and actually join 'the island' there was little doubt as the water lapped up over the causeway road. Fortunately, it is not a daily occurence, and its not long before the tide turns and the road reappears. Given the lovely weather when this picture was taken, I'm sure noone was complaining too bitterly about a longer stay on Wallasea.
Others benefiting from the good weather were the bird counters along the North coast of the island last Sunday.The counts are carried out as part of the monitoring to demonstrate that the Defra site is being successful in its delivery of required compensation. 12 counts are carried out each autumn/winter - each requiring 4 surveyors and lasting 6 hours - one count per hour. The counts are arranged to provide a range of tide heights and times of the week.
Now that we have recovered from the Wild Coast weekend plans are afoot to develop more activities for 2010. A variety of events are under discussion, but there is one person in the wings who will surely make a huge impact - Wallasea Walter! Our pirate/smuggler character was very kindly created for us by Southend artist John Bulley to amuse the young and young at heart who come to Wallasea open days. A costume maker is now hard at work to find cloth and materials to bring him to life, so watch this space!
I've gone wild on Wallasea!
Definitely an Island, I used to get stranded there after having a Friday night out with the boys, 30 years ago. It was alright by boat but no good by car.