On English Soil

Netherlands & Belgium: Stage 14 – Harwich to Maldon 65 Km (Thu 21 July 2022)

Weather: 14⁰C min – 18⁰C max, fine but overcast

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“That man is the richest whose pleasures are the cheapest.” ~ Henry David Thoreau

Riding off the ferry at Harwich this morning, I had to reprogram myself to ride on the left hand side of the road. Not that I was short of reminders that I was back on English soil because I was soon riding through deserted country roads and lanes, past charming cottages in quaint little villages, pretty holly hocks, gladiolus, hydrangeas, petunias etc. Essex is quintessentially English.

Uncharacteristically, the countryside was dry due to the unseasonally hot, dry weather that England has been experiencing lately … not a green blade of grass to be seen anywhere. Again the rain that had been forecast for today had not eventuated, but with my cyclist hat (helmet) on I am not complaining.

Towns were few, so it is just as well I had decided to spend my last Euros on a full buffet breakfast on the boat, enough to sustain me for the 65 km ride to Maldon, but I still stopped at Tiptree for a cappuccino and snack. It was there I met a local couple riding a tandem, Alan and Wendy, who I chatted with for a while. They love touring and publish their adventures on Crazy Guy on a Bike.

Before I knew it I had arrived at the lovely town of Maldon, one of the oldest recorded towns in Essex, dating back to Saxon times. It is too early to check in at the White Horse Inn, so here I am sitting on a stone wall in front of the church writing these few words.

Netherlands and Belgium were great, but I must say it’s good to be back in dear old England.