224 THE ESSEX NATURALIST
was seen in flight, to the remote village of Salcott. Leaving the coach,
members crossed the meadows and arrived at Salcott Creek in time to take
lunch lying on the grassy sea wall basking in brilliant sunshine amid flowering
Whitlow grass with Skylarks singing overhead. As the party prepared to
re-enter the coach one member paused to photograph a splendid flowering
plum attracting many bees. This pause was enlivened by the sight of the
first Swallow of the season hawking aloft.
Half an hour's journey via Wigborough and Peldon brought the coach
to the Strood and, crossing the channel, Mersea Island was reached by
2.30 p.m. Driving slowly along pleasant lanes lined with Lesser Celandine
and Alexanders, past the tumulus of Barrow Hill, the party arrived at a
point where it was possible to proceed only on foot. Germander Speedwell
was painting the fields bright blue as, skirting the golf course, the sea wall of
Brightlingsea Reach came in sight and the tang of salt air became apparent.
A pleasant walk along the sea wall yielded many interesting things, even the
little shingly beach producing some Slipper Limpets and a rather sandy
specimen of the Sea Squirt. Following the coast towards East Mersea many
sea birds and waders were noted and after some adventures with muddy
dykes and the ubiquitous barbed wire the coach was regained for the return
to Colchester.
The members who had met Mr. Hull were conducted first through the
Roman sub-structure of the Castle where attention was directed to the
method of construction ; the marks of the timber "shuttering" were clearly
visible on the Roman concrete. The very large collection of Roman pottery
and glass and bronze items was then viewed.
Passing into the Castle Park the party descended into the underground
chamber which is assumed to have been a Mithraic temple. The spring
which watered the channelled floor is still flowing and the water runs over the
floor into a drain which appears again where it passes under the North wall
of the town.
At 5 p.m. the two parties met for an excellent tea at Lasts in Colchester.
The meal ended, a short business meeting followed with the President in the
chair.
Mr. A. J. Scott, of 463, Cranbrook Road, Ilford, was elected to member-
ship of the Club.
The President expressed the thanks of the Club to Mrs. Long and Mr.
Hull for the trouble which they had taken in guiding the members during the
day and expressed the hope that this meeting with the members of the N.E.
Essex Educational Fellowship would be the forerunner of many such happy
meetings of great mutual advantage. Mrs. Long and Mr. Hull replied in
suitable terms.
Ramble in Epping Forest (902nd Meeting)
SUNDAY, APRIL 10TH, 1949
Twenty-three members met at 10.30 a.m. at Loughton Garage for a
ramble in the eastern part of the Forest. The day was fine and good periods
of sunshine tempered a somewhat cold easterly wind. Horse Chestnut,
Larch and Hawthorn were well advanced in leaf, some Oaks and Hornbeams
were showing a sprinkling of green and everywhere the Sloe was in bloom.
After ascending Goldings Hill the footpath to Debden Green was followed
and here was seen and heard the first Tree-Pipit of the season. At Debden
House the party was kindly entertained to coffee and cakes by the Warden,
Mr. Francis Hook, and Mrs. Hook. This house and estate has recently
been bought by the Corporation of East Ham to be used as an education
centre. Our members rather envied the students who would gather in this