Trip 141 - Thorrington, Essex

Thursday 3rd April (Day 1)

So at short notice, with good weather forecast, we decided to have a few days away. We invited Chris and Carolyn who agreed to join us. We had issues finding a place for the two units until we ended up at Acacia House, Thorrington, a CL. Leaving home at 1030 and with a Tesco stop we arrived a few minutes after the others at 1310. We quickly set up, had lunch and then sat in the sunshine for a chat. At 1500 we decided to walk into Brightlingsea, which was about 3 miles. We needed a butchers shop as Carolyn had left tomorrows meat behind (oops). We found a pub (quell surprise) and while we had a pint Carolyn visited a Tescos to remedy the meat deficit. A stroll back to the site with another stop at The Cherry Tree pub - a possible meal stop for Saturday. Quite a sad pub with a limited menu but the reception from the owners was exceptional. Not enough to get us to eat here though. As I had planter fasciitis by the time we got back I was struggling. We got back around 1840. It was us to cook and a honey mustard chicken stir fry was to be delivered and it was a nice meal followed by apple turnover and creme fraiche. An evening of chatting followed until around 2300 when we retired. The site is quite remarkable. £25 a night with water and EHU on all pitches. A nice toilet / shower. A room with air hockey, table football and pool plus TV and video (a choice of around 50 dvds). An outside covered area with settee seating and finally the option to have a fire pit fire. Clearly a really good find.

Friday 4th April (Day 2)

Another bright sunny day. The forecast is warmer than yesterday. We had breakfast outside and by 1030 were ready to leave. We were catching a bus to Wivenhoe a short fifteen minute journey. A stroll down the tiny High Street and a quick visit to the ‘Wivenhoe Oak’ en route. This is a 120 year old oak tree that the council wanted to cut down. They hid reports detailing its safety etc until a Freedom Of Information request was put in. Now the oak appears to be saved. Down by the creek we stopped at the Rose and Crown for coffee (yes really!). A stroll along the creek on a circular walk returning to the pub, where we didn’t stop.  We had elected to walk along the creek in the other direction back to the site. First, lunch by the side of the creek. We got back around 1500 having walked about seven miles. We then all sat in the sunshine and had a leisurely afternoon until 1930 we went to Chris and Carolyn’s motorhome for a meal. After a pork curry it was chat until bed.

Saturday 5th April (Day 3)

Still sunshine! That said the wind had got a bit stronger and their was a slight chill with it. A slow start and around 1100 we caught the bus into Brightlingsea. A stroll around and a coffee in The Yachtsman pub, where we also booked a meal for this evening. We then sat looking over the estuary and had our picnic (and Chris K and I bought some great chips). A walk along the front to Bateman’s tower and then back the same way and on to the bus. We were back at the site by 1440. Chris K wanted to watch the Grand National. While he did so the three of us sat in the sunshine lazing around. Just before 1800 we were back at the bus stop to go for the meal. All four if us had really nice meals - moules, steak and kidney pudding and a mushroom and ham tagliatelle. We then scooted back to catch the 2025 bus as in the evening they only ran every hour. Back ‘home’ we played Mexican Train Game until just after 2300.

Sunday 6th April (Day 4)

Still good weather. After a bacon butty we slowly packed the few things that needed to be put away and by 1020 said our good byes and were off. An easy run home with a quick sunday dinner shop and diesel and parked up by 1300.