Bright & breezy

Great time with the great people of Little Baddow for this morning's service. And then off to bright & breezy Brighlingsea (extra blip) for a wander & late breakfast at the superb Bateman's Cafe, near the Tower. Notable features of the Cinque Port of Brightlingsea include Bateman's Tower, built as a gift from a father to his daughter to aid her recovery from consumption, and the superb open air swimming pool.

The Cinque Ports were a confederation of the five most important ports on the coast of the English Channel. They had obligations to provide ships and men to fight for the king but were compensated by exemptions from taxation. All of the Cinque Ports acquired "Limbs" or subsidiary ports that would ease the burden of their obligations and share the benefits of their privileges. Brightlingsea became a Limb of the Head Port of Sandwich.