Boatshed! 060510

I just had to take this picture at Rockland St Mary. A  visual play on words I think! Boatshed

Ashby St Mary near Thurton, Norfolk 060510

2.4 Miles Ref 022329
Today took me just off the A146 at Thurton to Ashby St Mary. Parking with narrow lanes and no village hall. I do love village halls for their easily accessible car parks during the quiet mid-week. I eventually squeezed myself on to the edge of a field entrance trying carefully to avoid obstructing Mr Farmer.
The path starts near the side of the church and takes you northwards to Claxton. Unusually for Norfolk this area is partly rolling countryside, paths go up and down and the views are superb.From Claxton I made my way to St Andrews the church of Claxton where someone had kindly installed a bench for me to enjoy lunch on, in the sun but shaded form the cold wind. I had to put gloves on today despite the sunshine,.
Footpath difficulties!
Leaving the church behind me I  crossed the road and followed the footpath sign but where the path went seemed very unclear. Navigation by pylons took me to a point where I could see the path I needed would intersect but it took a bit of walking across ploughed fields to get there. The next footpath was clearly marked with a new post and took me across an otherwise unmarked growing crop. Without the post I would have been a bit stuck and without these markers parts of the countryside could slowly become lost to all of us.

A good walk , navigation challenges are interesting and often give me a  great sense of achievement once I have eventually found my way.

Often I tell myself "Perhaps your map reading skills are not as good as you thought!" But then that spurs me on to get some more practice in, don't panic, look at that map and what is around me! Landmarks, contours, fields, woods, everything and don't panic!
Can anyone tell me what these pinky blooms are?
Stuart

Norwich, Mousehold Heath, The Wensum, Rosary Cemetry, Lion Wood 040510

4.5 Miles Map Ref 243094
A circular walk in Norwich starting from Brittania Barracks on the North East side of Norwich with a fabulous vantage point to overlook this "Fine City." From here you see two Cathedrals, the "Roman" columns of City Hall, the City Hall Clock Tower, the Jarrolds printing works the whole panorama of this fine city.
This walk is taken from "Walks Around Norwich" by the Ramblers Association Norfolk and my grateful thanks to them. Ramblers publications seem always to be very reliable in describing their walk routes and they choose some excellent walks too. So look out for their little booklets and buy when you can!

The walk takes me through the trees of Mousehold Heath, I can still hear traffic in the distance as I am so close to some major roads but I am delighted to once again be surrounded with bird song celebrating this lovely day.
Following around Mousehold I am then directed to several paths, lanes and streets to bring me to Riverside road and the path along the river. The quintessential Norwich School playing fields with today a helicopter! I hear the Queen is in the City so perhaps its the Royal Flight! Bishops Bridge which was once the heavily guarded gateway to Norwich, Pulls Ferry and the lovely waters of the river Wensum.

 From here I am directed up Aspland Road to Rosary road and then past the Chalkhill Brewery to Rosary Cemetery on the other side of the road. . You would not know without visiting that this large cemetery exists in such a built up area. It rambles over hillocks and troughs with many many trees. Most of the gravestones are weathered and green but interspersed are some very new, clean and bright ones. Some lean over at odd angles, some graves are slowly reverting to the earth. This is not to me a sign of neglect but a very powerful way of showing the passage of time and our own brief time on this precious earth.
I go through this extensive cemetery and cross a road to Lion Wood. Here I missed my directions and bore to my right too much to end  up on the Yarmouth Road. I then had the "delight" of walking up the very steep Harvey Lane to get back to where I should be. Legs aching now! From there I return to that viewpoint of Britannia Barracks.
But despite this a very good day exploring parts of Norwich I had not seen before.
My last picture is taken as I enjoy a coffee in one of the many cafes by the market. Norwich is so colourful!
Stuart

Buxton, Norfolk 30 April 2010

This is a lovely 3 mile walk alongside the river Bure in Norfolk.Grid Ref 224226. There are several styles.
Originally I saw this walk in the EDP Walking section which is an excellent feature.
I parked in the village hall car park. There are signs for  a car park but I think it has been built on?

Turn right out of the car park and walk underneath the rail bridge. Carry on towards the Mill. Just before the Mill there is a path on your left. I did not find it easily but if you follow the line from the footpath on the  opposite side of the road it is clearer.
The path leads round the back of some houses and is then quite narrow with several tree roots but also quite magical. There are good views along the river towards the Mill. After a style the path becomes broad and follows the twists and turns of the River Bure. The path is only a foot or two above the river and I felt at one with the wonderful countryside I was presented with.
Today I saw two Heron as they took off up ahead from the side of the river, their long scrawny legs trailing behind them and that instantly recognisable beak. (I am not very knowledgeable on bird species but do enjoy seeing them in their habitat and of course their songs. Music to accompany me on my travels.) Two Monkjack Deer were on the other side of the river running really fast and making such a strange noise. Bonus Ball!!
Mr Pheasant also appeared and I love to hear their throaty call when I am out and about.
After just under 2 miles there is  a bridge  where small horser/ponies?? were grazing. Turn right and through a gate to a path across the field which takes you to the Bure Valley Railway which has a path alongside it. Turn left and take the first set of  steps down to Mill Road. Turn right and back to the village Hall.
A  walk of  3 miles, wonderful countryside, no traffic noise, the flow of the river. Does it get any better than this?
Afterwards I stopped a the Crown Pub for a refreshing drink and time to write up my walk.
Stuart

St James to South Elmham 220410

St James to South Elmham Ref Ex231 319811

This walk is thanks to  "Rural Rambles Round Halesworth" Walk No1 by Waveney and District Ramblers.

Park in the village hall car park, turn left out the car park, right at the junction and after 20 yards turn right onto a footpath and you are on your way.

The route takes you past wide open fields and skies, oak trees, hornbeam trees, bird song, derelict barn, small streams, spring buds, foot bridges(walkers love foot bridges, there is just something about them!), the ruin of a Minster, Old barns with bending beams and black sheep.

I work indoors in a hotel all day for several days so to suddenly find myself with huge blue skies, white clouds, and horizons that stretch for miles and miles is just so wonderful. Lungfulls of fresh air, no traffic noise but the delightful singing of birds. I have no knowledge of different species but always feel that as a human being I can in some way connect and be in tune with these creatures. On this enjoyable, bright and sunny day their song truly celebrates the the good fortune we share in being able to enjoy the day.

My path takes me past the ruins of a 11th Century Saxon Minster near South Elmham Hall. Founded by the bishop of Norwich. As I stand inside these huge flint walls, partly dilapidated now but still massive, still exuding a huge strength. I am in a very spiritual place, as good as any elaborate cathedral. Time to reflect and to give thanks inside these strong spiritual walls, blue sky above, trees around me and birdsong. Where better to commune with  something bigger than me.

On through more open fields, lucky today, no cows despite several warning notices! Then on my return to the car park I am greeted by the unusual sight of the Coffee Caravan, designed to bring information to outlying villages and I am presented with a freshly brewed cup of tea, a seat and the hospitality of several interesting people. Now beat that at the end of a walk!

Stuart

Horsford 7th Birthday Health Walk 16 04 10 TG191168

Today we celebrated 7 Years of Health walks with a meet up of 98 at the Brickmakers Pub. Having manged to squeeze over 50 cars in we set off doing a circular walk around the back of the pub, many horses and then for those of us on the longer 3.8 mile option we crossed the main road and into the woods.
Walking in the woods always gives you that very atmospheric feeling, the wind in the trees. No one got lost as we were able to stay in sight of front and back markers and enjoyed  the paths. I have found woods can be very disorientating and its very easy to get lost if you not have a compass as all looks the same and there are no reference points. A good mornings walk and coffee, cake and a distribution of literature in the pub afterwards. Everyone was very jolly!!
Stuart

Great Glenham Suffolk Circular Walk 15 03 10 Ref 339612

5.8 Miles
Kindly dropped off by the church at Great Glenham by my wife, walked past the pub and followed the road out of the village until a footpath sign on my right. Along a track with some pruned trees in hedging covered in a green mould??
Past a semi derelict barn, looked like someone had started a project and given up. Wonderful views of open countryside.Pigs in pens, bridges across streams, large country houses, a path hacked through dead sweetcorn plants. Paths across bare earth fields with the path marked with small white pegs, what an understanding farmer to help keep us on the right path. Snowdrops lots!

Fairly easy going, level with mostly dry ground.