We left early for us at 8am and had coffee from Starbucks by Ipswich station along with pastries from our B&B in Halesworth. A steep slog out of Ipswich led us through quiet villages until we picked up the bed of the former railway to Hadleigh. This whisked us through sylvan glades to the pretty village. Then on through undulating countryside to the outskirts of Colchester. We passed the amazing sight of fields of Borage in flower. The entry into Colchester was through parks and greenways arriving unexpectedly in the town centre. Early lunch then on and out of the town along an ancient earthwork called Gryme’s Way. It was like a hollow-way. On to Tiptree for tea though we passed up the opportunity of visiting the Jam Factory Museum. Steady climb to our high point today - Beacon Hill - named for obvious reasons. Then a long delightful downhill run with views of the Blackwater Estuary until we stopped for tea at Heybridge Basin. This is the entry point to the “navigation” / canal that reaches inland to Chelmsford. We watched a couple of boats traverse the lock to reach the estuary. Tea at the Tiptree Tea Rooms then cycling along the canal towpath until Maldon. Along the main quay and marvelled at the collection of Thames Barges moored there. Night at the quaint Blue Boar coaching inn. Dinner back down on the quay. Unfortunately we had to wait nearly two hours for our meal as chef was short handed. However it was delightful sitting outside awaiting our meal watching the activity on the quayside. And we were refunded the most of the cost of our meal.