Fun in the sun!

July 17, 2016 by Rob Kahl

Fun in the Sun

This summer is going to be a good one. (If we all say it enough, it’s bound to be?) The sun is going to shine and everybody is going to be jolly and enjoy everything that Leigh on Sea and the surrounding area has to offer. 

I am afraid to say that unfortunately I do not take full advantage of all of the leisure facilities that our fantastic area has to offer. It is easy to fall into a routine of just doing the same old things and going to the same old places like the corporate gyms or chains of bars or restaurants. We are blessed in our area with such a variety of things to do and I plan to try and take in as much as I can this summer. 

We have already had the May Day celebrations, Art Trail, Folk Festival and Village Green which as ever were all huge successes, but, there is still plenty of large events to come such as The Maritime Festival which is always a crowd puller with thousands of people at Leigh Old Town to enjoy the fishing & sailing boats and various events.

I have been selling properties for 20 years in Leigh and telling people how great it is to be so close to the estuary but never really taken advantage of it myself. I have just got myself a kayak which I am going to try out and my wife has vouchers for paddle boarding which looks excellent. When the water is flat and calm at Chalkwell and the group of paddle boarders waft past it just looks amazing, it really could be in the Med? Apparently groups of them go out to The Ray to watch the seals which sounds a lovely way to pass a sunny afternoon of evening. There is also canoeing around the creeks and inlets of Two Tree Island that looks fun and of course, the Red Caps open water swimmers who are made of sterner stuff than me. 

A quick paddle or a dip after a run is the most I can muster. There are also the wind and kite surfers that head out from Chalkwell or Shoeburyness. I will pass on that one thank you, it looks like madness to be pulled along at break neck speeds by holding a sheet above you whilst strapped to a board on water! 

If all of that sounds a bit to energetic do not fear there are plenty of bars around that can cater for the more relaxed clientele. And with a thriving music scene locally there is always something to take anyones fancy. 

Last night a lot of my colleagues here at Scott & Stapleton took in one of the cultural music events of the area. Judging by their hangovers today they took full advantage of what ended up being a full on session whilst singing along with the ever popular local band The Dusty Peddlers. Their fantastic blend of rock, folk and chart covers always get the crowd going and as heads are starting to clear and memories of what they all got up to are returning from last night, there was plenty of sore feet from all the dancing as well as sore heads. My colleague Lisa was particularly taken by the band and especially liked the man she described as playing a 'huge violin'. After much investigation this actually turned out to be the base player playing a traditional double base!!!!

There are loads of bands playing this weekend at The Boatyard which will be fun. I don’t think there is anything better than standing outside in the sun, drinking a beer or even a Pimms whilst listening to live music and Leigh has this covered. If unlike me, or it seems all of Scott & Stapleton, your leisure activities do not revolve around drinking there are others things that could be of interest; Chalkwell Fayre is coming to town soon as well as the Carnival and there are plenty of other things to see and do so no excuses. 

I want to see lots of T-shirt tans, sandals with socks and inappropriate summer wear from everyone taking in the Great British Summer!

Enjoy everyone!

This article is by Rob at Scott & Stapleton
Tel: 01702 471155