Hadleigh Castle and country park

Last Saturday, CBC and I set out towards Leigh-on-Sea with a desire to walk, enjoy the countryside and enjoy freedom!  Serendipitously, as we picked up CBC's car from the repair-place, we passed signs for Hadleigh country-park where the Olympic Mountain Biking was held.  We decided to go for an explore.  We parked by the rangers hut.  I donned my unflattering crocs which were still in CBC's car since camping as I was just wearing a pair of ballet pumps that wouldn't enjoy mudtracks etc.

At first, it felt very 'domesticated' and a bit like Labyrinth with windy paths though there were some very pleasant sights including butterflies and blackberries.

Pretty soon, the bush-flanked paths led to a gate and views over the river Thames as it headed towards the sea at Southend with views across to Canvey island.  The sun started to shine beautifully and it felt less autumnal.

We met a few fellow walkers along the way.

CBC spied a path to the left which led with a very steep slope towards the actual mountain-baking course itself.

It was extremely hard to climb such a steep and bumpy slope in Crocs! We met a mountain-biker- goodness knows how they go down such steep slopes- I'd be terrified!

We received further evidence of the Olympic site...

We climbed over a gate into the Olympic course whcih will be open to the public in February I believe.

The sun shone and we walked down the path which gave us sight of Hadleigh castle.

CBC made us go down a terribly brambly, overgrown path in a bid to get to the castle.  We discovered, as he forced his way through a big bush, that there was a perfectly lovely path the other side of the fence!

Hadleigh castle was getting closer...

Eventually, we reached the entrance to the site for Hadleigh, 1200 ruins.

The castle must have been quite extensive!

Some pigeons had made their home there

There were some curious initials and names carved onto the window arches at quite a high height!

As we left, we walked to the Salvation Army training centre for a very pleasant spot of lunch as recommended by my mother!  I ate a large amount of goats cheese!

Later, we headed into Leigh-on-Sea where I visited the charity shops whilst CBC waited for a hair-cut and we ate in a lovely bakery and then later a Thai restaurant.  A delightfully packed day was completed by a visit to the Palace Theatre in Southend to see Three Men in a boat, which was witty and delightful!

Have any of you visited Hadleigh or indeed were you there for the Olympics?