Downstream

The longest heatwave for
seven years has just come to
an end with dramatic
thunderstorms, but the air is
still hot and humid. As the
train stops at Benfleet and
then Leigh-on-Sea I catch
glimpses of foreshore and
boats moored on land like
metal crabs, while at
Chalkwell the tide is so far
out there are miles of mud. I
get off at Southend where the
paved pedestrian street is