Coastwalk

Brightlingsea → St Osyth

Distance: 12.3 miles
Ascent: 169 metres
Duration: 4 hours 5 minutes

How two turns into twelve
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As the crow flies, Brightlingsea and St Osyth are about two miles apart. How then did I turn two miles into a twelve mile walk? There are three reasons.

1. Brightlingsea Creek
   Once again I spent most of the day circumnavigating a complex of inlets and creeks.
2. Point Clear
   After passing St Osyth I continued on to Point Clear to the west before looping back towards the village. The walk finished at a point just south of St Osyth.
3. Private
   My original intent was to walk south of Point Clear to Lee-over-Sands, but a mile down the road, a menacing sign for once turned me back and added two wasted miles.

St Osyth itself is a beautiful village, dominated by its Abbey buildings. The fact I don't have any photographs of the village belies the fact that it's not been the best day to walk. Worse still, thanks to my diversion I didn't make it to the sea. Still I know when to stop these days, and I know I've got an enjoyable day ahead of me.