WALK REPORT Here are some random photos from our walk near Colchester on Saturday. A big thank you to Russell and Tim for coming along! 21 images in this set. [walk profile]

1. On the fast train from London to Colchester. That’s Tim on the left and Russell on the right – it’s 9am on a Saturday morning so coffee’s at the ready. Tim’s Googling “St Botolph” (see pic 3) on his BlackBerry.

2. Creepy ceramics in a Colchester shop window. According to my friend Rupert, the squat characters on the right in hats are called “toby jugs”. Not sure about the balding guy with the lobotomy though.

3. Interior detail of the ruins of St Botolph’s Priory in Colchester. See one of my earlier posts here for more info on St Botolph.

4. Now we’re out in the countryside. This is a flowering thistle by the path near Cheshunt Field, on the outskirts of Colchester.

5. Windswept poppies in a field of wheat. This field lies adjacent to the remains of a Roman temple. (In Roman days, Colchester was a more important town than London.)

6. A hydrangea in Layer-de-la-Haye village. About to stop for a pub lunch, just around the corner.

7. Quiet light on some pond weed by the path that leads down to the Roman River from the Donkey & Buskins pub.

8. We found these plums on a tree near Malting Green. The fruits are only about cherry-sized, but very delicious. Took some home.

9. A feisty horse looking for attention. If you’ve been following this blog, you might recognize him from this pic here.

10. Dandelion, up close.

11. We stopped for a tea break and 15-minute siesta in a meadow near Abberton Reservoir.

12. This is Abberton Church. It’s not the prettiest building in the world, but it’s in a lovely setting overlooking Abberton Reservoir. Note the freshly dug grave in the foreground.

13. This African Grey parrot is the mascot of the Langenhoe Lion, pub number 2 of 4 on today’s route. Friendly, but don’t get too close!

14. Cow parsley (Anthriscus sylvestris) on the path near Upper Hay Farm.

15. Russell and Tim checking out a huge 650-year-old oak tree on the village green in Fingringhoe. A local myth says it grew from the eye socket of a buried pirate, but I’m a little skeptical.

16. This gives you some idea of the scale of the tree.

17. Down by the Roman River marshes, on the way to Rowhedge, last town of the day. Photo by Russell Saint Cyr.

18. Russell and Tim pause for a break by the Roman River near where it empties into the larger River Colne. The tidal range is very high here, and the sign indicates that at least this section of the waterway is navigable.

19. Common Rowan (Sorbus aucuparia) berries. And Russell.

20. This is the sign for The Anchor pub, which has a great waterfront terrace overlooking the River Colne.

21. And here we are at the end of the walk! Beers on the riverbank at Rowhedge village.

If you’d like to try this walk too, this page has all the details you’ll need.