Just Back From….. Brightlingsea Part One

It was supposed to be a 2 week break covering Essex (to see our latest grandchild) then onto Suffolk and finally across country to our old abode in Ludlow. But things didn’t quite work out as planned. Such is life.

Our first view from the very extensive terrace of our apartment. The Waterside Marina luxury apartments development within Brightlingsea Harbour has over 50 berths.

We spent most of the week in Brightlingsea itself other than a couple of trips into Colchester which has the most horrendous traffic (and roundabouts). Our apartment however was magnificent and I would move there in a heartbeat if I didn’t have to go anywhere near London or Colchester. The views across the water, the sunsets, even a couple of sunrises, endless fun watching the goings on including people crabbing from the heritage jetty (feature image), the ferryman taking foot passengers back and forth to Point Clear, river policemen stopping for their lunch break, posh yachts coming and going, rowing clubs out on the water and more.

The red arrow points to the apartment we stayed in. Views towards Point Clear, Mersea Island and even as far south to the northern coastline of Kent (Whitstable)

Brightlingsea is a coastal town and civil parish in the Tendring district of Essex, England. It is situated between Colchester and Clacton-on-Sea, at the mouth of the River Colne, on Brightlingsea Creek.

The Waterside Marina consists of apartments and town houses and retail.
Waterside Marina

I have split the photos up into several posts (there are a lot of photos) so let’s first go for a walk around the Waterside Marina area in which we stayed.

All the apartments have either terraces or balconies.
There are not many of the old buildings left
With the exception of this one on the corner of Fieldgate Dock which leads to the Brightlingsea Sailing Club, the promenade and the beach huts.
Hard Shelter, Built 1898 – this was a former bus shelter situated on the waterside close to the Town Hard with the Harbour Office behind.
This distinctive blue and white building, features a prominent clock on its roof and is located close to the Colne Yacht Club.
‘The Hard’, is a very useful outcrop of water-borne gravel, on the southern part of Brightlingsea overlooking Point Clear and allows for launching of boats
The wooden hut, almost surrounded by water at high tide, is the Hard Master’s office where user charges are collected.
Originally the Angel Hotel built in 1901 by architect George Henry Page. Then it became the Anchor Hotel before being split into apartments. Lovely architectural details and stained glass. Next door is the Colne Yacht Club.
The Waterside Marina on our last day – sunrise at 05:28

The weather was unpredictable with sunshine, some heavy rain and almost always windy, with the terrace doors open we were serenaded by the ‘whap, whap, whapping’ sound of the closest yacht’s rigging slapping against the mast and on the windiest days a shrill whistling or howling sound. I have to say that I actually liked it. Made a change from the usual cattle sounds.

Day Twelve

The theme for Becky’s  April Squares challenge is ‘top’ 

    1. On Top of the World – summit, crown, peak or uppermost part of something
    2. Under the Big Top – topping or covering (or if you’re really lucky circus)
    3. Room at the Top – first or highest in position
    4. Cherry on Top – something made even more wonderful by becoming square
    5. Top and Tail – or maybe you’d prefer to play around with word combinations such as top dog, top stitch, top full, top line, top fruit, top hat, top secret, top knot, top drawer and top dollar!
 “top of the morning to you”

“And the rest of the day to you

April Squares | Day Twelve

Square September: Pink

Becky’s September square photo challenge Day 16!  She would like us to share photos which embrace ‘pink’ –  there could be pink in the photo, the subject or photographer could be ‘tickled pink’*, or indeed looking ‘in the pink’*.  A photo that manages to do all three things is the ultimate offering.

Sunrise through the bathroom window

*in the pink’ means in perfect condition, or in good health, and ‘tickled pink’ means delighted.

September Squares | Pink

Sunday Stills, the next challenge: Happiness is…

Ed is a truck driving photographer from Tennessee who hosts a photography challenge blog called Sunday Stills here on WordPress.

This week Ed would like to see what makes you happy

Red sky at night, shepherds delight,
Red sky in the morning, shepherds warning.

Well I don’t usually see sunrises (I am more of a night person), but this morning I happened to catch sight of this sky around 8 a.m. and it made me so happy I had to go downstairs and grab my camera. Sadly the old wives tale was all too true as the day turned foggy and wet. Again.
(click on an image to enlarge it )