"didn't we have a lovely day the day we went to Walton" (-on the -Naze)"

 

Off message but the hot weather today reminded me of a glorious sunday last month when Gill and I  took the train from Forest Gate to the Essex seaside resort of Walton-on-the-Naze. We met up with Gill's sister Carol, her husband, her son and daughter in law and their 2 lovely monsters (family picture top left).

Walton is a lovely traditional working class seaside resort, not as commercialised as Southend but more relaxed than nearby Frinton (famous for refusing to allow a pub in the resort until very recently). It has sandy beaches, the historic Naze tower,  a huge pier and great fish n chips. 

Carol hired a beach hut for the day while we bought Rock and chips and drinks for everyone.  It was great paddling in the sea, building sandcastles and trying to save them from the advancing tide. 

Afterwards, Gill and I walked along the beach to Frinton to catch the train back to London. Wall to wall Beach huts filled with families intent on having a good time.  

Check out the song below that always brings a summer smile to my face 

Fiddler's Dram - "Day Trip to Bangor (Didn't We Have a Lovely Time)" - 1979

Walton-on-the-Naze walk to Frinton-on-sea

After a lovely day with extended family at a rented beach hut in Walton-on-the-Naze (with lots of paddling, sandcastle building and fish n chips) Gill and I decided to walk to Frinton-on-sea to catch the train back to London. 

A fantastic 2 mile walk along the sand and beach huts. Recommended.  

This was our first long train journey since the pandemic. It went pretty well and much better than driving there and back. I could read the Sunday papers (online). I did forgot to take my headphones, so it was a little noisy (but so is a car). 

It is 152 miles there and back from Forest Gate (East London). It cost £40.35 for a duel railway ticket for both of us. Inland revenue allow £0.45 per mile as being the true financial cost of using a car (don't forget depreciation for each mile driven). 

So the train fare is obviously far cheaper (than 152 x .45 =£68). Nevermind the environmental impact and the simple joy of not driving. 

I will link more photos of walk on Facebook.