Mersea Native Oysters

Today I ate oysters for the first time, and must say, loved them. Served with chopped onions in red wine vinegar and lemon.

We are on the island of Mersea in Essex, home to some of the best oysters in the world. Had them with a bottle of champagne in the West Mersea Oyster Bar, overlooking the creeks where the oysters are raised, together with family. Our waiter was Turkish, from about 25 miles away from Ephesus. Oysters have been harvested on Mersea since Roman times.

Went for a freezing cold walk along the sea wall - the wide open skies of Essex heal something inside me.