Just a select group of 3 gathered under a three quarters moon to venture off into the dark from Benfleet station. The route at night is simple and atmospheric along the water's edge with views off to Canvey Island and further into the shipping channel of the Thames. The moon provided plenty of light -- though at times slipped behind some clouds -- when reappearing it felt as if someone had turned the lights on -- an amazing effect! Unlike last year which involved a massive lake crossing and mud bath, this year the route was kind to us and fairly firm under foot with only a few isolated puddles and muddy areas that were spotted in the moonlight and could be easily avoided. Arriving in Leigh-on-Sea at 8:30, we found the Crooked Billet heaving -- so ventured further into town and found food and drink at the Smack....A very enjoyable evening walk in pleasant conditions with a gentle tailwind pushing us along.

7 adventurers gathered at the exit of Benfleet station and set off in the dark under a bright full wolf moon . The conditions were perfect for our escapade...clear skies, bright moon providing plenty of light to find our way, fairly firm ground underfoot and no wind. We encountered two challenges -- one enormous puddle that was more like a lake and required some care to cross with dry feet and a large swath of the gloopy stuff at one end of a field -- which was also overcome with some modest route adaptation.... Both the route along the river and then the castle ruins atop the hill were wonderfully atmospheric in the moonlight...The front runners arrived at the Crooked Billet about 8:30pm with others joining a bit later....the final group caught the 10:13pm back to London...A fun night out!

As I was waiting for the train on the West Ham platform (with some light sprinkles of rain in the air), I imagined that this report would start something like "your lonely correspondent set off alone in the dark...." HOWEVER, much to my very pleasant surprise, I spied 3 familiar faces on the train and we were met by an early arrival at the ticket barriers, making for 5 setting off under a full beaver moon . The moon shone brightly for most of our outing (allowing us to dodge around many mud puddles and cow pats) with occasional passing clouds....The route along the creek was easy to follow (but rather muddy in places) and we had no problems finding our way up to the castle ruins atmospherically illuminated by the moonlight. Some clouds moved in on the final stretch into Leigh on Sea where we all had a pleasant meal at the Crooked Billet. Two set off for the 21:43 and the trailing three arrived with impeccable timing for the 21:57. A very enjoyable evening!

Another route is from shoeburyness station to Leigh, mostly road walking along the seafront with some pretty wildflower meadow & about 9.4m. I did this last year and recommend it if you want something different

Bear in mind hedonism is the national religion of Essex - misanthropes should carry some ID and/or a small bottle of prosecco for emergencies.

However it should be perfectly possible to do the longer walk and still get plenty of music in, as the festival carries on into the evening

Also don't forget "folk music" has a different meaning in Essex, encompassing all sorts of soft rock and more

Expect any eating/ drinking establishments to be absolutely rammed although you can get a drink with patience, and fresh seafood too. But I wouldn't rely on getting a nice quiet pub lunch a la the usual SWC gig

Steve Tilston and Martin Carthy are in the afternoon line up, plus it’s free. Sounds perfect

I wasn't able to attend this year :( but I have heard there were 5 hedonists on the train and that at least two more out and out pleasure-seekers avoided the walk and went direct to the festival. The SWC group was overtaken at the castle by a larger contingent from CLOG. No doubt rushing there to do one of their special dances. The hit of the festival was Granny's Attic.

No word on the misanthropes - or the weather

Thanks for this Ian. As the author of this new walk I'll be taking the opportunity to check and amend the detailed instructions. Any help and comments gratefully received.

Now I might do the walk on Sunday. But I can't Guarantee I will. But I am just wondering what is so special about this walk?

The castle and the estuary have their charms but what's special is the visit to to the Folk Festival.

I'll leave Ian to report on numbers but I eventually reached Benfleet via a slow train from Fenchurch Street. I was hoping to catch the designated train at Stratford but no information was displayed on the departure boards and the staff knew nothing and just directed you to West Ham to pick up trains from Fenchurch Street. A hurried journey from Stratford to West Ham ensued.

On the long circular walk I picked up a slower walker and later three faster ones who all had no problems with the draft instructions which is good news. On the climb up to Hadleigh Castle we were intercepted by a herd of cattle led by a huge Bull who were heading for a trough for a drink. A bit disconcerting but all was ok. We all lunched at Hadleigh Castle with its expansive estuary views over Canvey Island and beyond before ambling on to Leigh. Here we split up and I lingered only to take a look at a couple of bands and enjoy an ice cream before ambling back along the estuary path to Benfleet. I stopped off at the Barge Gladys for a big mug of builders tea-most refreshing- before a fast train back to Stratford. Hope all enjoyed their day out. I'll be redrafting bits of the walk over the next couple of weeks before adding it to our library.

The designated train DID stop at Stratford at the appointed time but, apparently, the platform was not announced until the last minute and staff were misdirecting people to West Ham. About 16 people were spotted in Leigh. I think about 11 of those walked there. 5 did the long walk, the rest doing the short-walk-with-castle. And one walked from Shoeburyness. On our walk we encountered someone walking the other way shackled to a ball and chain! (not included in numbers) The long walk met with approval…”varied, undulating” One suggestion was to reverse the direction of the long walk so all could walk together in the morning. (This wouldn’t quite work with the castle visit included)weather was sunny with some cloud Highlights included Trembling Bells, Crying Lions, Wild Willy Barrett. By the time we left, several oysters had died and some of us were the worse for drink. Well, I was anyway.

Thanks for the favourable comments re the long walk. as Ian points out it would not really work in reverse as the visit to the ruined castle is a highlight. Also it is meant to be a "stand alone" walk that can be done at any time of the year with possible visits to the rare breeds centre. In May there should be lovely displays of wild flowers and given dry weather - sections can get very muddy - this could be the best time of year to do it.

Thanks Pete - comments as promised:

2 more of us who did the outward leg of the round walk went on to complete it after a beer in Leigh. Lovely contrast to the morning. Nothing further to report in the same league as our bull or bloke with ball and chain dragging things behind them..

Point 6. There didn't seem as much as 20m between getting clear sight of the metal field gate and turning R on to the open field track; then once we'd turned R off the track we met a footpath that had evidently followed the RH field edge from the corner. Might be clearer, as well as more direct and less boggy, to follow the field edge all the way?

Point 12. We felt the clearest and most interesting landmark here on L was the Iron Age round house.

Point 13. Might be helpful to clarify the turn off the road, eg: 'at the signs and info boards turn left to go through a gap..' We wavered at the word continue.

Point 30. When on the pavement the busy main road is on your L not your R.

Thanks for this Liz, will incorporate your suggestions into the final version which will be added to our walks library in the next couple of weeks.

7 cloudy and sunny then rainy then sunny

An OK start but spirits were dampened after the castle by a belt of light rain that persisted for about an hour. Then Mr Sun came out again and stayed for the day. High grass pollen in the nature reserve. Highlights of the day were Wild Willy Barrett, Stick in the Wheel and Trembling Bells. Minor punk, Tenpole Tudor also put in an appearance. The morris dancers were safely corralled in a car park and didn’t cause too much trouble.