Post by Irish Stu on Jul 27, 2008 14:26:07 GMT -6
This weekend we had some wonderful weather, so yesterday the girls and I decided to head to Mersea Island which is on the opposite bank about a mile down the river from us, or 15 miles by car. Mersea is about 14 miles in circumference and is joined to the mainland by a stretch of road known as 'The Strood' which often floods at high-tide, and is famous for its oysters from the local oyster beds which were first enjoyed by the Roman's when they conquered the UK.
These are all that remain of the hulls of two boats that were abandoned in the mud many years ago.
Back during World War II the military built a network of defences all over Britain in anticipation of a German invasion. The most common of these defences were called 'pillboxes'. These tiny concrete forts were constructed along our coastline, at road junctions, along river banks and other strategic points.
Many of the 30,000 or so that were constructed can be found on Mersea, though sadly coastal erosion means some have been claimed by the sea.
This is an example of an intact pillbox. Most had solid roofs, but this one, which is a couple of hundred feet from the current coastline, was obviously constructed as a gun emplacement.
Simon
These are all that remain of the hulls of two boats that were abandoned in the mud many years ago.
Back during World War II the military built a network of defences all over Britain in anticipation of a German invasion. The most common of these defences were called 'pillboxes'. These tiny concrete forts were constructed along our coastline, at road junctions, along river banks and other strategic points.
Many of the 30,000 or so that were constructed can be found on Mersea, though sadly coastal erosion means some have been claimed by the sea.
This is an example of an intact pillbox. Most had solid roofs, but this one, which is a couple of hundred feet from the current coastline, was obviously constructed as a gun emplacement.
Simon
