Runham, Norfolk 384108 260611

Further exploration today north of the A4y Acle straight.

Drove North from Gt Yarmouth towards Caister and Filby on A1064. Left turn to Maultby takes you into bewildering side roads where my poor sense of direction became quite lost. But eventually onto Runham.

Parked on a grassy bank by Manor Farm at the start of the footpath, very convenient. Path takes you towards the river clearly marked by Runham Drainage Mill which has been restored. Look left to view the wind turbines at Scratby, a difference in time and technology of nearly 200 years. At the bank you may find some squashed grass (that's not a track) which will take you to the banks of the River Bure.

The high bank has a part track and turning west you can follow this and enjoy views of a distant Gt Yarmouth, the busy but silent A 47, boats through the reeds on the Bure. Surrounded by birdsong in the middle of this remote piece of land this is pure joy!
   

  

Continue along the bank until just past a derelict Mill and Six Mile Cottage, what a great name, and turn down the bank towards the church of St Peter St Paul , Runham. Today the church was unlocked, a place of cool air on a hot day but more a place of quite simple serenity. Thank you for leaving it open!

Then a walk through Runham back to my sturdy steed, the old Ford.


A shortish walk but fabulous.



 

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Love this tree.


 

Stokesby 431105 220611

Oh joy! my first walk for some time! Selected Stokesby, just past Acle.
 Car park by river near to Adnams pub. Walk across the green and to the right of the phone box is a little lane (Croft Hill) going uphill. Keep going and ahead of you is the path through a field of wheat, clearly marked by a broad cut. Top marks to farmers who practice this style of path making, it benefits both walkers and farmers.
Follow path as it winds around the edge of fields. I was surrounded by bird song with fields all around me, lorries just visible in the silent distance. A disturbance in the crops saw a pair of rear legs bounding away from me, a hare I think but he was very quick.
Then a signpost directs you to the right, through a field and across a track to a farmers track by "Alder Carr." I followed this to the stream, no more signposting! I decided to follow the stream by turning left, on the southern side of the stream, using the track at the edge of the field. There appeared to be no path alongside the river bank . The O/S map does not make it too clear which side of the stream the footpath follows. On the map it runs through the middle of the stream.
Google map apperas to show the path on the northern side of the stream, must explore more. There is also a guide for this walk produced by the Broads Authority, must get a copy.
Eventually this took me to the road going into Stokesby but I had to cross a ditch to get out of the field. Others had clearly done the same before me! There was a clear path across the ditch and only a few brambles.
At the bridge it seemed there was a path the other side of the stream but all much overgrown.
Crossing the road I took the signed footpath alongside the stream at the southern side of the bridge.
The path soon became very very overgrown, but I do like a challenge. No brambles but if you are less than 5' tall you may struggle to see where you are going!! Eventually came out onto a concrete area with path ahead marked as closed due to river bank repairs. Turned left as directed along concrete path. At end this meets with a road and a turn right brings you back to Stokesby.
Enjoyed my lunch sitting on the wall by car park watching boats navigating the river Bure. Coffee in the pub, The Ferry Inn, an Adnams Pub, was good and served with a smile. The village shop is worth a  visit as it is crammed with lots of bits and pieces and also has a tea room.
A most enjoyable walk, something I have not done for too long.
Stuart

Google map link

http://maps.google.co.uk/maps?q=stokesby&hl=en&ll=52.644287,1.593704&spn=0.019634,0.065875&sll=52.625561,1.321106&sspn=0.314274,1.054001&t=h&z=15

Breydon Water-Gt Yarmouth 230411

Time this morning to pop into Asda, Gt Yarmouth, buy a picnic sandwich and then walk over Haven bridge and turn right to follow roads and then a path. This takes you past industrial buildings, some ghosts of their former past and then under the road bridge to walk along the southern side of Breydon water.
What a wonderful piece of Norfolk this is! I have always found this large stretch of water to be mysterious, special and enchanting. Guarded over by the black sentries of windmills who somehow allways seem to be watching.
As you walk out from Gt Yarmouth the sound of the town and traffic quickly recedes and you just hear birdsong and the wind. Magic. Looking across the water you can just see the Berney Arms windmill and pub in the distance.
I sat on the flood protection wall and enjoyed my picnic lunch.Fab!
If you get the opportunity take time to explore this special place.
Stuart

Burgh Castle- Breydon Water- Gt Yarmouth 290710 Ref Tg481051

Today a wonderful experience a wonderful walk.

My thanks and acknowledgement to Norfolk County Council for their "Norfolk Health and Biodiversity Walks. Walks in and around Great Yarmouth." A great little publication which with it's bus information lead me to this walk today.

Breydon Water has been a special, almost magical place for me in my 36 years in Norfolk. A little mysterious, looking fabulous in sunset, totally tidal so changing throughout the day. My dream house would have a view overlooking Breydon water.
But to the start. Long term parking just off Northgate Street at £3.50 for over 4 hours and then a 10 minute walk to the Market Gates Bus Station. A number 5 bus for £2.20 took me to the Queens Head at Burgh Castle. I felt I had been dropped off in some strange land, strange because I had never been near this part of Norfolk ever.
Turning back up the road with the pub on my right I walked to the church, a gem in its own right. From here the Roman Fort is clearly signposted across fields. You will not be disappointed by the massive walls and the view the marshes of the Rivers Yare and Waveney. Opposite is the Berney Arms Pub with the towering and dominating black "Berney Arms Drainage Mill" that you can see for miles as you walk in this special river and marsh world.
From the fort step down towards the water and take a path to your right 50 yards form the water. This will soon lead you to another path marked the "Angles Way" back towards the waters edge from here you can walk all the way into Great Yarmouth beside the water. The path is in excellent condition and much more enjoyable that the northern side of Breydon Water which is made up of large bricks with holes in. Demanding on my feet!
The views today included dramatic skies over this big stretch of water, lush green marshland, horses, cows and a family of Mum and Dada Swan with at least 6 cygnets.

Wheatacre Marshes 180710 Map RefOL40-482939

Today I decide to explore some footpaths by Wheatacre Marshes, off the A143, Beccles to Yarmouth road near Haddiscoe.
I parked at the start of a track at grid ref OL40-482939 and walked North East to come to a marked footpath running North West to South East. Footpath was clearly marked with a marker post on my left. This is where the fun started as the path was the most overgrown path I have encountered for some time. Brambles, Ferns and Nettles as tall as me and I'm not short! Had the path not been so clearly marked I would have quite doubted its existence. But persevering I eventually passed a dairy farm and onto Low Common Lane, a bridleway clearly marked.
Walking North I was hoping to meet the footpath taking you across Wheatacre Marshes by "Landspring Dyke" to the river Waveney at Somerleyton by the Somerleyton railway swing bridge. But alas my route was blocked by a "Private Road" sign. Ah well, such is life!
Stuart

Sizewell to Thorpeness 010710

A revisit of this lovely coastal walk. Park at Sizewell car park, £1 for 2+ hours.
There is an excellent Beach Cafe where you can enjoy homemade cake or Sausage and Chips. Its been run for some time by an excellent chap, always smiling with friendly, helpful staff. There are also public loos here too.
Turn south up to the black coastguard cottages where the path starts. This takes you along the top of the cliffs with good views in places. Look back to see Southwold and it's gleaming white lighthouse. Part of the path has been lost to erosion and we all hope that access to this wonderful coastline will remain open.
By a Christian activity centre the path dips down to the shoreline which hosts a rather amazing display of beach growing plants.
Further along there is a steep gully back up to the top of the cliffs. If you miss it you can still carry on along the shore to Thorpeness.
Taking the gully back to the top  of the cliffs takes you onto a piece of grassy common. Continue southwards to Thorpeness and you look to your right. You will see the "House in the Clouds" appear. I think this is such a great and wacky local landmark.
As you walk into Thorpeness you can enjoy all the different architecture which I love. Very English and very quirky!
By the Mere there are tearooms. Coffee and cake are just so important to walkers. They can enhance a very good walk into a walk of utter delight, to be relished in our memories as we relive the experience in our minds.

There is a route that takes you back over the common to Sizewell whose huge building structure means you will never be lost around here. Some of the tracks on this route past the golf course are dry, hard gravel and you may prefer to return to Sizewell back the way you came along the seashore and cliffs.. After all the views are great.
Stuart