A hardy group of walkers will be setting off from Shotley marina this morning as they, and their colourful pennants, continue to make progress on their 500 mile coastal challenge.

Beach of Dreams was the brainchild of Kinetica founder and artistic director Ali Pretty she spoke to Nub News after arriving at the Bristol Arms after completing the ninth stage of the 35 legs of the challenge. They start the walk to Dedham this morning from outside the Shipwreck at 09.30.

Ali explained how each silk flag represents a mile of the walk and how a phrase from Guardian writer Kevin Rusby who had written about a walk on East Tibury beach which was filled with an array of broken glass and ceramic, after it had been used by London to dump its rubbish from the Blitz, which he called the 'Beach of Broken Dreams'.

"I took that and used it as the theme for his walk but called it the Beach of Dreams."

The concept was for Beach of Dreams was to discover the hidden gems of the east coast of England, inviting collaboration from communities and artists along the way in Suffolk, Essex, Southend, and Thurrock.

Ali Pretty and Kevin Rushby are walking the entire route, joined by artists, writers, scientists, and local residents. Together, guided by strong environmental themes and the challenges of our current time, they will consider the question "How can we creatively reimagine our future?"

Residents along the route were invited to choose a mile to walk with them and submitted an image of the landscape, a drawing and a few words about your connection to it and your dream for its future.

All words and photos will contribute to a new digital story map of the coastal path, reflecting and recording the narrative of the walk as it unfolds.

The group started off from Lowestoft on June 26 and plan to complete the journey on August 1 at Tilbury and each flag represents a mile learning lessons about the coast.

Ali's team set of on Monday morning from Ipswich waterfront, spent time chatting with Oliver Paul before stopping off at Pin Mill too meet up with members of the Shotley Open Spaces group, that had been the first body in Suffolk to be accredited with the Bakers Are Welcome status.

"It was beautiful walk, said Ali. "I had not been to the Shotley peninsula before but now I know where it is I will be back.

Although the walk has already taken its toll on some of the challengers, Ali was full of vim and raring to set off from Shotley this morning and head down the Stour to Dedham.

"The legs are good, I''m loving it," she said.

Geraint Pugh carried a flag designed by his wife Marian created in silk by Kinetica, which represents this part of the peninsula. Ian Peters was on hand to pass on some of his expertise about the residents birdlife and other SOS members passed on their local knowledge,

"What a wonderful initiative by Kinetica," said Geraint. "As always it isa pleasure to talk about the wonderful area we live, the Arthur ransom trail and more.Ali, Kevin and the rest of the group learned about the peninsula, and that has added to their rich knowledge

"It was a tough stage as the path from Pin Mill to Shotley was so overgrown and probably in the worst state I have even seen it, but I'm glad the Beach of Dreams group enjoyed it, and the evening's hospitality at the Bristol."

There is an opportunity to see all 500 flags together in the special Beach of Dreams installation on Friday from 6pm when a special installation makes up part of the Harwich Festival. Visitors can watch the installation grow from 11am onwards.