Muddy Waters

After seeing the photos from our woodland walk last Tuesday it was obvious to us that more exercise was required in order to have that leaner look going into the summertime.Having bought some Essex walking books last summer, we scoured the pages looking for a suitable walk to allow us some freedom in the Essex countryside and also give us the chance to strip off and get some rays to our sun starved bodies.A early start was ditched after a bottle of red and a curry the night before, but we were out before midday.We parked the car by the river and set off along the towpath into the country.After about 20 mins we were well into the countryside and hardly saw a soul all day, apart from during our odd stop into a couple of villages on the way.After two pubs and three beers we turned towards home.Once into the countryside and out of sight of the road the clothes came off allowing us brief freedom away from prying eyes.The mild weather from earlier on in the week continued as we made our way along the footpath and through the woods.I almost came a cropper nearly ending up in a big muddy puddle after slipping on the wet mud surrounds,this brought a huge roar of laughter from Ginny who later took a tumble herself.The route map was spot on apart from a later venture through a farm where the footpath had been redirected around the farm rather than through it.The redirected farm footpath came with a free angry Jack Russell who felt the need to chase us off up the hill.We eventually made it back to the road passed an old cottage and returned to the car both ready for a hot bath to sooth our aches having completed a very enjoyable 8 miles.