8
protection from over-enthusiastic churchyard
gardeners.
On the way to the A 131 road, I photographed
the common aquatic Umbellifer called Fool's
Watercress, and then walked along the banks of
the River Ter. We encountered some bullocks in
a field, one lone individual providing a scare
until we approached close enough to see it was
not a bull.
Looking back across a field we saw the tower of
Great Leighs Church, which is one of six churches
with round towers left in Essex. The base
of the tower is Saxon and the upper part is
Norman. It was probably used as a defence against
North Sea pirates coming up the Chelmer and
Blackwater. It stood at one end of a wooden
Saxon church.
Onward to Fuller Street, where we were positively
welcomed at "The Square and Compasses" on this
very hot day. Food and good beer are available
at this small pub. Refreshed we set out to cross
the Ter, the bridge being guarded by a herd of
young Fresians, who followed us across their
field inquisitively nosing our bags expecting
food. The second day closed at Terling after
passing the smock windmill and crossing the very
deep ford.
DAY 3. 26th August, 1984
A month later the weather was still fine as we
began with a botanical pleasure. This was the
Lesser Calamint, growing on a dry roadside
bank outside Monk's Barn. Fifty per cent of
the national population of this plant is found
in Essex. It is declining rapidly and needs
protection from rotary and flail mowing.