Friday 25 June 2010

Coltishal -Health Walk-260610-3 Miles

A health walk today starting from the Coltishall village hall car park in Rectory Road. Turn right out of the car park and then a left through Coltishall until turning left into a wide path, past a converted chapel, looked good, and onto a path overhung by trees. joining a road we eventually climbed a good few steps to take us onto the track of the Bure Valley Railway.



 This takes you under two beautiful red brick bridges and eventually to Coltishall Station where the stations buildings are now a Bed and Breakfast. Leave the railway here and a right turn at the end of the drive takes you back along the road to the Coltishall Island and the bridge. Cross a busy road and enjoy a wonderful walk along the gently flowing river. You can cross over the river by the sluice and return through a woodland path to the Coltishall Island and back to Rectory lane.

A very lovely walk and my thanks to Ray our leader today and very genial host!

Monday 21 June 2010

Barsham 200610 Map231 395895

Can you spot Mr Fox on the 6th picture down?
My walk today started at Barsham village hall on the Beccles to Bungay road, well marked by the red telephone box. Parking in lay by.
My first error  was misreading the church on the map to be the one at Shipmeadow. Footpaths went in a similar direction but crossing a road that did not exist on the map showed something was wrong! He Ho!Unfortunatley it did not take long to walk myself off the map, but fortunately my compass helped me get back to the direction I needed. thank you Sylva!
Walking south for the B1062 took me uphill along Sandy lane which was like Rabbit Hilton. Much jumping down holes.
Then south still, through a cornfield with a path well marked by the farmer, thank you so  much! Through City Farm where I missed the path to, my right but got through without challenge along  a wide farm track to Ringsfield Church and Old Hall Farm.
Turning to my right to travel South West along a bridleway is where I encountered Mr and Mrs Fox who poked their noses up, had a look at me and wandered off. Obviously not impressed with me!
After about 3/4 of a mile the bridleway took me to a lane where a turn northwards, although not on my map would I knew take me back in the right direction. Electric Pylons some say are a blight but to a walker they are a great map referencing point and today helped to guide me back onto the southern edge of my map!
Walking North to a bend took me to a footpath on my left, West, which I duly followed. At the pylon the map shows the path as straight on, that's the map I didn't have! But a full field of peas and no sign of  a path made me doubt so a turn right following the field edge and then through a hedge across a ditch took me to a track past a bungalow to the road again. Phew but then such a challenge in a walk does give you a lot of satisfaction when you can find a way through.
Northwards along a lane to Boundary farm and a footpath to my left, West, took me North with some good views and back to the Beccles - Bungay road. I crossed and trekked along the verge eastwards until another footpath took me away from the road and through fields of corn. Again a well marked path, thank you Mr Farmer. This then takes you after 800 metres to a track running south to take you back to the lay-by.
This walk took me 2 & 1/2 hours and although I got a bit lost I really enjoyed myself.
Stuart

Sunday 13 June 2010

Dunwich Beach Cafe, Dunwich, Suffolk

This is one of my favourite eating establishments. It sits just next to the beach, large inside and a good few seats outside. Functional not fancy.
You sit outside in sight of Southwold along the coast and on a sunny day the white lighthouse stands gleaming in  a shimmering haze. A classic view.
This cafe is seriously organised. No matter how busy you always get served and speedily.
I enjoy a pot of tea with cake or go for fresh fish and chips.
Saturday 22 May 2010 I had Fresh lemon sole and Chips. £8.95. Fish was just so delicious, white, succulent, tasty, fresh, heavenly! I sat outside in the sun overlooking the sea on my right and marshes with cows on my left.
Happy people enjoying the day around me. This is a top place.
Stuart

North Walsham Canal 100610 TG346272 -3.5 Miles







Credit for this walk is to the Jarrolds Short walks series-Norfolk into Suffolk:the coastal fringe
This rates as one of my favourite walks. Number 10 in the guide and I do not think I would have found it without the guides help!
I do recommend boots or stout shoes and a walking stick for help over the sections of boggy path. I always wear ankle gaiters when walking and in the wet grass of the meadows these really proved themselves.
Your first challenge is to find the car park which is near East Ruston just past Barnells farm. Coming from Norwich you have to go roundabout a bit due to not many roads and waterways. See map reference.

From the car park a very short path,6' takes you onto the Weavers Way, a former railway line. Turn right and then at the gate by a cottage turn sharp left. Follow this track through a gate into a field. On the day I walked there were cows but fortunately on the far side and no hindrance to me. At a second gate continue along the side of the field. At the end of this field is a stump where a gate used to be. take a  diagonal path across the filed to a style which puts you at the edge of the canal and you can see "Tonnage Bridge" ahead of you.
      At the bridge, pause and enjoy the view of the canal if you are tall enough to peek over the wall! The bridge was restored in the 80's. The question I ask is why was such a substantial bridge put there in the first place? Perhaps the horses pulling the barges crossed the river here.
Walk over the bridge and immediately turn right through a gate to follow the canal northwards. Then enjoy a walk of open fields as you follow alongside the canal. Parts of the path are only inches above the water level making the path very soft in parts and highlighting how fragile parts of this land are. You will come to a copse of Alder trees on your way.
A plank bridge leads into a wood. On the day of my walk all the wild Iris were in bloom so I was greeted with a wonderful yellow display.
Soon you will hear the sound of rushing water. Is this a waterfall in Norfolk you may ask? Well its the best equivalent as you are approaching the lock at Honing. The gates are long gone but there are still heavy pieces of steel and some great brickwork viewed as the water rushes down and then becomes still once more a few yards along the canal.
Cross the bridge at the lock, through some trees and you come to the Weavers Way once more. Turn right, eastwards for a one mile walk back to the car park.
Have you enjoyed this walk? I would love to hear your comments!
See also The North Walsham and Dilham Canal Trust
Stuart
Addendum-My lovely special friend- Liz
On the day of this walk I went to Gorleston later on to taxi my very dear friend Liz back to Beccles from the James Padget Hospital. Liz had just had a session of Chemotherapy at the hospital. On the way back we had such a laugh together and she treated me to a cup of tea at her new house. Liz was always so bubbly and chatty, she made the most of every single moment.  Sadly a few days later, Liz had a massive stroke and died shortly after. I will miss her so much but am so grateful that on the day I enjoyed the North Walsham Canal I also enjoyed that precious time with Liz.
 Live your life, live your day, God bless you Liz xx