Day 26: Bradwell Waterside

I've driven down to Bradwell-on-Sea several times - it's one of my favourite places in Essex. I actually enjoy the drive there, even though the last 10 miles or so are on a road far too twisty considering there's nothing in this part of the UK for the road to twist around - it's really one of the most desolate places this close to London.

I haven't been to the other part of Bradwell (signposted as Bradwell Waterside, even though Bradwell-on-Sea is also water side) quite so often, but thought I would park up at the marina and walk upstream towards the power station. Looking great in the winter daylight today. My plans to have lunch at the yacht club were foiled though as it's a Friday today and the club appears to be closed midweek for the winter.



As you start to walk out of the yacht club and east along the river, you're actually walking along Bradwell Creek. The other side is Pewit Island, an island sitting in the south side of the Blackwater estuary about 2 miles long by a couple of hundred feet wide. Wikipedia helpfully says that the island is notable for the presence of the remains of Saxon era timber fishtraps. I couldn't see that from the other side of the creek but I wondered what the timber-framed construction in the river was as I was walking past. This is the kind of thing I really should know.


The route itself was concreted for a little while but then turned into a muddy dogwalkers' track. Still a bit too early in the year to do too many walks like this. I was amazed by how white the power station is! The Essex Coast blog shows a photo of it 2012 in its full grey glory (which I have pinched and shown below).


The power station operated between 1962 and 2002 and has now been defuelled. The reactor is currently being left to cool, and final site clearance has been scheduled for 2083 and 2092, which is kind of mind-boggling.



Opposite the power station is this platform. I've tried and failed to find out anything about it. Google says nothing although it indicates that the MV Ross Revenge is moored close by - I don't remember seeint it though.



Now for a rare beer part of the Beer vs Walking blog. I cracked under all my recent diligence and had my first beer in 26 days tonight, so I couldn't resist having a few of these. No such thing as "one beer", is there?


2.69 miles in 57 min 53 sec (ave 2.79mph)
Calories burned 458; steps taken 6,250; elevation 42 ft
10 deg C, clear

Beer: 3.48 pints - 810 calories (ouch)