"Mud, Mud, Glorious Mud"

"Nothing quite like it for cooling the blood."

Unfortunately it didn't work for Amy Winehouse. :(

I visited my home village and my picture shows Lawling Creek at low tide, looking towards Osea Island in the River Blackwater. The island, which is connected to the mainland by a tidal causeway built by the Romans, was owned by the Charringtons brewing family and used as a retreat for wealthy alcoholics, including Walter Sickert.

More recently an unlicensed rehab clinic was established on the island. Poor Amy's 2008 stay there failed to rehabilitate her.

I love the muddy charm and the big skies of the saltings in the Dengie peninsula.