Day 20 a - Visiting the River Roach

Sunset over Burnham

Day 20a doesn't really exist here at all.

By this I mean that Day 20a was a Saturday and we weren't walking.

But exist it obviously did - and it was the day that the skipper of the Lady Essex III took us to see the wildlife on Potton Island. Needless to say, Potton Island is close to Foulness Island and we were going because the Lord nudged us to go. Gerry and I set off from Romford around 4 pm to catch the little boat at 6 pm, hoping to have a snack in the middle at the Essex Marina.

Arriving in good time, we boarded the already full Lady Essex and set off in a cool wind, Gary at the helm and an informed lady wildlife helper sorting out the ropes. There was a mixture of children, photographers, keen wildlifers and us - a motley crew.

Leaving the Crouch at the junction with the Roach, we stole up the Roach quietly midstream (the tide was very low tonight). We were instructed not to talk if we saw seals because although they didn't mind the engine noise, they were frightened by humans. Two other boats were already moored in the Roach and we made them rise and fall as our wash passed them by.

We saw adult and baby common seals - quite rare creatures - this is their nesting ground. In about a month's time, the adults will leave for different climes and the babies will have to fend for themselves. The adults will return next year for mating.

They were a distinctive coppery iron colour, gained from the mud around the River Roach. There were more seals further up the inlet but we couldn't reach them because the tide was so low.

On the way in, Gerry and I spotted an oystercatcher and a wading bird (white with a long bill) but mostly our binoculars were trained on observing Foulness Island - a lonely place.

At the beginning of the voyage, I had taken a moment to chat to Gary, the skipper, and told him of our answered prayer on the Friday afternoon. He seemed touched and it turned out we had a connection already - his wife is sister to a local head teacher in North Romford and actually teaches in the school part time. Go figure...(as the Americans say)

Below are some pictures I took while on the wildlife trip - the dark blotches are seals, which I'm afraid you can't see very well, but - low tide, much mud, open space, heavenly sky...you get the idea!