There and Back

A day at the coast seemed a good idea during the school holidays, and as Felixstowe is the regular seaside, what about Walton on the Naze, by the Tower and with less people generally? Having decided that was a good idea, buckets and spades were packed (for me) and some for Izobelle. This looks like a good spot, and very quiet too. Amazing how much the cliffs have eroded since our last visit. A fort was soon under construction, and some finishing touches given to this section . During these constructions, the right sized stones have to be used so a working party was organised to hunt for them (Nana). Having put in all that work, a photograph has to be taken for posterity of course. When we had had enough on the beach, we climbed back to the top of the cliff, and to the Tower for a coffee and cake. Izobelle and I decided that a climb to the top was in order. I was amazed at her lack of fear in climbing the very steep stairs. Once at the top we...

Walton is a traditional seaside town on the east coast, unique in that it is surrounded on three sides by the sea. Its three miles of gently shelving sandy beaches facing south-east stretch from Frinton to the Naze. To the north, the sea sweeps round the Naze into the backwaters, known as Hamford Water, and the Walton Channel stretches right down to Walton Mere, only 300 yards from the main beach. The Naze, as well as being a natural open space, is a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) famed for its fossils found in the Red Crag cliffs. As well as these glorious natural features, Walton is known for its pier – the second-longest in the country – its yacht club and marina, and its iconic tower at The Naze from where panoramic views can be enjoyed of the Walton backwaters, Harwich and Felixstowe and the Suffolk coast.  The coast of East Anglia is always subject to erosion and the day of our visit to Walton demonstrated the effects which a stormy period on the Nort...