days out

Fossil Hunting at Walton on The Naze

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I just can’t seem to stay away from the beach so on a recent trip home we headed over to Walton on the Naze to do a bit of fossil hunting. I had the best time and even my mum, sister and cousin found shark teeth of their own.

I had two favourite parts of the day the first when a random guy asked us if we were expert fossil hunters as he had been on the beach for an hour and a half and not found anything as as we denied any such accusations I picked up a sharks tooth and gifted it to him. It was pure coincidence and I thought it was hilarious. He accepted my gift and I feel like I was rewarded for my kindness as I found a huge tooth afterwards. This is not my first time sharing my teeth but I have started to get a bit of a collection now and feel that if the beach is willing to share with me I should be willing to share with others. He hung around with us for a little while and I gave him some tips and tricks on fossil hunting and he ended up finding another of his own before thanking me again and heading off.

We carried on down the beach as I picked up shells, teeth, vertebrae and pebbles.

I had a great time and then we turned around and looked through the shingle again and this is where I found my massive sharks tooth! I was over the moon with it and made my mum so jealous!!

This is probably the first time I have been to Walton and there has actually been some shingle to look through built we have had quite a few storms lately so I feel like lots of beach treasures were pushed up just for us.

WI ended my day with 9 sharks teeth, 2 vertebrae and a happy family and we headed back up to the café for a cup of tea before heading home!

Overall we had a very successful day!

Thanks for reading,

Meg!

RSPB Rainham Marshes

~ Megan's Adventures ~ 2 Comments

When I went home at the end of January, I went on a trip over to Rainham Marshes with my family. This is a RSPB site on the shore of the Thames. If you go along the sea wall you can often spot seals and different wading birds but we stayed within the site of the RSPB and went for a walk around.

I took my camera and we wandered around, we actually started with a chat drink in the cafe before heading off and wandering around the grounds. We went straight to one of the hide and we were immediately greeted by a female kestrel sitting right on a post in front of the hide, I managed to get some really nice pictures and videos of the kestrel hop close, its just a shame the metal posts and electric fencing was in the way.

As we carried on round we saw coots and moorhens and out of the corner of my eye I saw a kingfisher, it was just a shame that I lost it, but I am still really happy that I saw one, even if it was just a fleeting glimpse as it was on my list for the day.

We carried on walking around the site, at the back of the site I was hoping to see a marsh harrier but on this occasion we were unlucky, we did see some carrion crows and got another glimpse of the kestrel.

The boardwalk was closed and this is where I normally see water voles and frogs, but I think it would have been too cold for them even if they were out.

There were lots of ducks around and as we headed back to the café we saw long tailed tits, great tits, blue tits, robins and some redwings. We got back to the café and had another drink whist we watched the sunset and the starlings form their murmuration’s and then we headed home before the car park closed.

It was so lovely being outside and in the fresh air and just wandering around the site. I hope that next time I visit there will be more to see as it will probably be spring by then.

Thanks for reading,

Meg!

The Smallest House in Conwy!

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Back in October I took a trip with my family to wander around Conwy, we went in the shops and we were planning on going into the castle but we ran out of time, we did walk past the castle though and every time I see it I think it is just incredible.

We went to upstairs at Anna’s first for a drink and some food and then we went for a wander around the shops looking at all the touristy bits and pieces and collecting things for us to put into our journal.

We then took a path which led us to the harbour and we stumbled upon the smallest house in Conwy, this house is nestled between normal sized houses and the castle walls and is painted bright red so you cannot miss it!

At the time that we visited they were open and doing tours, we managed to snap a quick picture as we got their just as they were closing but it was cool to see as I know lots of people visit and it was something touristy to show to my family along with the castle.

We then headed back up into the town and carried on looking around the shops before the car parking was up and we headed back home.

It was a lovely afternoon altogether and we had a good look around (which is when we spied the pottery painting that we then visited in November).

I haven’t yet completed my journaling from my family’s visit in October but will be sure to share what I create when I do!

Thanks for reading,

Meg!

Things To Do In Essex

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Having lived on the outskirts of Essex my whole life there are plenty of things to do around this county. From Wildlife to fossil hunting there is a wide range of activities to do.

I wanted to put together a small list of my favourite places (and some I’ve worked at) to give you an idea if you ever need somewhere to go if you are in the area.

Lakeside Shopping Centre

Okay, not quite Essex but definitely worth the trip. This huge shopping mall has a lot to offer from Primark to M&S. There is a cinema, indoor climbing centre for children, restaurants galore, and even an indoor mini golf centre. There is plenty to do here and it is the perfect place to go and hide out on a wet and windy day.

Colchester Zoo

Colchester Zoo is my local zoo and I have a zoo pass so I can visit when ever I want to. I am a bit bias towards Colchester zoo as this is the zoo I have been visiting since I was a child and have seen it become the zoo it is now, I also worked here and think it is an amazing zoo due to the large amount of species available for you to see. The are many different places for you to eat or grab a snack and I love their newly renovated gift shop, it is full of beautiful items for adults as well as the toys and teddies for the kids.

Jimmy’s Farm

I am yet to visit Jimmy’s farm but after watching the TV show that had back in the autumn, Jimmy’s farm is a definitely worth a visit. Some new additions to jimmy’s farm this year is a baby tapir and an anteater (as of august 2021) but they are a rare breed holder and have many lambs and calves in the spring time.

Old MacDonald’s Farm

As the name suggests Old MacDonald’s farm is a farm filled with everything from sheep to horses and they even have a small exotics room with hedgehogs and reptiles such as leopard geckos. As well as animals Old MacDonald’s farm has a range of amusements such as their soft play area, and rides such as their mini rollercoaster, for children to explore.

Lee Valley Park Farm

Lee Valley park farm is a small farm with a range of different animals from the farm animals up to the reindeers. There is also a toboggan ride as well as facilities and cafes. Lee valley park Farm can be found in lee valley park which is on the river Lee and walks and trail can be accessed from Lee Valley park farm car park.

Walton-On-The-Naze

Walton-On-The-Naze has a lot to offer. From the sea front and the amusements to the tower and walks in the cliffs. Walton-On-The-Naze has a car park at the top of the cliffs (which is where I usually park) and this is where the tower is situated. There is also a visitor centre and toilets here. it is a steep walk down some steps to the beach but this is the best place to go fossil hunting. From vertebra to Megalodon teeth there are plenty of fossils being washed out of the London clay. The only down side to Walton-on-the-Naze is that fossil finds can be a bit few and far between.

Harwich

Harwich is a secret fossil hunting location that I am willing to share with you. I love it here but you do have to get down into the shingle to be able to find anything because the fossils are so small. I usually find sharks teeth here with the occasional ray plate but the teeth range in size. I find perfect small one, large one, extra large warn ones, and lots of broken ones. But I am a happy fossil hunter and pick up pretty much anything as I like it all. Plenty to be found here.

Southend-On-Sea

Southend-On-Sea has a lot to offer, there are amusements, restaurants, a beach, the longest pier, an aquarium and a theme park. I love going to Southend as it has something for everyone in the group to do, no one is ever left out. I have memories of going to the theme park when I was a child and even now we still regularly go to Southend for a walk and some fish and chip. There are public toilet facilities and car parking is plentiful but it is a 10 minute walk away from the sea front. As well as all this on the seafront there is also a town centre offering a range of shops and a cinema.

Tiptree Jam Museum And Tea Room

Yes, I know you have seen the Tiptree jam pots all over the country (I really cannot escape them) but they are made right here in Essex and there is a whole museum dedicated to the wonderful jam they produce! There are a few different tea rooms under the Tiptree trade mark across Essex the original tearoom and museum is located in Tiptree. I mean who can beat a good tea tearoom for an afternoon tea or just a chat and a slice of cake?

Hanningfield Reservoir

Hanningfield reservoir is a big reservoir which has some lovely little trails for you to follow. it is family friendly and has a wind in the willows themed trail for children to follow and engage with nature. It is also a nice place to go for bird watching and wildlife photography. There are hides dotted around for you to sit in and look over the reservoir and there are many bid species including coots, mallards, herons and cormorants.

These are just a few places and attractions that you can visit around Essex and everything is my own opinion.

I hope this has given you some inspiration if you are ever visiting or passing through Essex.

Safe travels,

Megan xoxo