Opinions

United Kingdom - Essex? You can keep it!

by Judith Randall

I grew up in a fairy tale world where everything had a happy ending and as a result I have searched the obscure and the dark to find the magic within. For example I studied the works of Jackson Pollock to see where the beauty was in his work and I found it, I studied the architecture of Pei and yes, I found the beauty within, and also the music of Prokofiev and wow, what beauty to be found there!

So, with my fairy tale mind I set off for Leigh-on-Sea, yes Leigh-on-Sea because as a fairy princess I just knew there had to be some beauty there, a secret heart, an undiscovered treasure that could only be found by someone special, with a camera and a positive mind.

Down the M25 I drove, hood down and the wind in my hair, my fairy princess crown held in place by a hairgrip... and the journey was about as I has expected and all the queues were on the other carriageway!

Smiling at the other drivers and wondering what all the fuss was about - this was fun. I remember sailing across the Bay of Biscay and finding that flat calm too...Then I entered the twilight zone, the place known as Leigh-on-Sea...

I promised myself "I will find its heart and soul among these endless streets with bumpy orange road pillows that shake the chassis of my beloved car."

I come across the high street... or is it? I drive on and come to Hadleigh, turn back and head for my destination with renewed vigour...and then drive out the other side.

Turning back yet again I weaved up and down the streets and thought "I will find a b & b, a hotel or a pub and book in so I can search for the pearl on foot."

Well, to put an end to this fairy tale I ended up at the Marina, I usually LOVE marinas...but not this time.

I learned a lesson, not everywhere has what you are looking for, I turned my trusty car towards home and drove out of this grey, dull, uninteresting place with total relief.

Once back on the M25 the devil got me, I sat for over an hour squished between two trucks, I didn’t smile and neither did their drivers. OK! I’m sure there are places as depicted on some local Leigh-on-Sea websites but I didn’t find them and I’m damned sure I’m not going back there again unless someone pays me good money!