He takes the reader up and down the many creeks and estuaries of the
longest coastline of any English county, through nature reserves,
seaside resorts, unspoilt villages, sailing centres and alongside
industry past and present. On the way we read of tales of witchcraft,
ghosts, smuggling, bigamy and incest. We learn of the county’s varied
history – stories of battles with Vikings, of invading Romans bringing
elephants, a fort where the only casualty occurred in a cricket match,
burning Zeppelins and of Jack the Ripper.
Whilst a narrative, not a
guidebook, Essex Coast Walk contains a wealth of information, including
many little-known facts and stories. With gentle humour to match the
coastline’s gentle beauty, and illustrated with photographs and maps,
the book makes for easy reading.
It tells of the solitude of the
most remote coastal areas in England and of the huge range of wildlife
to be found here. In contrast we read of the docks and industry of the
Thames, but find that even here there is beauty for those willing to
look.
The book highlights how climate change may alter our coast
and looks at new methods of coping with rising sea levels. It tells us
how tiny settlements grew into large holiday resorts and how other
villages have remained as unspoilt and isolated communities.
Travelling
to and from each walk by public transport gave Peter an insight into
the county’s rural buses and trains, and allowed him to meet more of its
interesting people on the way. He aimed to show that environmentally
friendly travel to such sparsely populated areas is still possible and
his experiences make enlightening reading.
The author’s thought
provoking final reflections consider how the coast has changed over the
centuries and what its future may be.
Also by the same author -
50 Walks on the Essex Coast
