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Autumn 2007 - Blaxhall, Suffolk 12/10/07-14/10/07
Fri 12th
Travel day an uneventful journey apart from having to take a detour of the A12 due to an accident. All services and air ambulance in attendance. Dick, Dave, Richard, Steve, Pat and John drove to Southwold meeting at the Red Lion. The intention was to take a trip around the Adnams brewery, however our plans were foiled as they no longer did trips. Alternative arrangements were made to do a circular walk along the coast, up the river past the harbour and on around the marsh.
The weather had started fine but clouded over as we started walking, though not cold. Amongst the fisherman’s hut, along the harbour side, there was a fish and chip shop so we were forced to try them; and they were very good. After eating we went on to the Harbour Inn for light refreshment, to wash lunch down. John almost choked on his beer as the talk went on to canines. He then wondered aloud if there was a road to the harbour, at which point we pointed out, all the people turning up in cars! It started to drizzle so we went inside to let it pass.
Once it stopped drizzling we carried on walking with the intension of walking further round the marsh. Rain returned and as none of us had waterproofs and being dogged by bad weather we returned to the Red Lion. A total of approximately 6 miles. After drying out a bit we made our way to the Hostel at Blaxhall.
We met Norman, Jack and Phil who had driven to Friston and done a circular walk around there. Pete also met us there. It was too late to eat at the Hostel so we were forced to head for the Ship Inn. It was almost fully booked but we managed to eat in shifts at one table. Again we had found very good food and ale.
Paul and Graham joined us later just in time for dinner.
Sat 13th
Weather fine and sunny, staying good all day. Breakfast was disappointing as things that should have been hot were not.
Several plans were made for the day. Paul, Graham, John, (wanting to finish early to watch England on TV), Phil, Jack and Norman drove to Snape and walked from there. Pete drove to Sizewell walking back to Thorpeness meeting the others for lunch at the Meare tea rooms. After lunch Norman went back with Pete who then picked up Jack and Phil on the coast path at Aldeburgh.
The route taken was from Snape up to Friston along the Sandlings walk to the Snape Road, Sloe Lane, Five Acre Pickle, Portobella Covert, and North Warren. Continuing, up the disused railway track to Ward Hill, across Thorpeness Golf Club to The Meare tea rooms in Thorpeness, stopping there for lunch. After lunch, taking the Suffolk Coast Path towards Aldeburgh, then across to The Red House, along the A1094, again following the Coast path back to Snape and the cars.
Dick, Richard, Dave, Pat and Steve did the same walk but in reverse as they walked from the Hostel doing the whole circuit on foot. Total distance 19 miles. They saw some Bearded Tits (birds) in the reeds near Snape also some woodpeckers. All had seen several types of Fungi whilst walking during the day. On the way back stopping at the Old Chequers in Friston for a quick one. The beer was too cold, we had to take our boots off, there were no benches outside and it was a prickly matting carpet. Then on again, to the Plough and Sloop, Snape, where we found a T.V. with the football on. Paul had gone to Aldeburgh to find somewhere to see the game. Pete, Norman, Jack and Phil also stopped here at Snape. After the others had left, Norman, Phil and Jack walked up to the bridge over the River Alde and saw a seal.
We all returned to the Hostel, some on foot, before changing and taking sustenance and light refreshment in The Ship Inn again. Paul, Graham and John went back to watch England, (rugby this time) joining us again after the game until it was time to retire.
Sun 14th
We woke up to thick fog which although slow to clear, did, to leave another sunny day.
Paul and Graham went for a run first thing in the fog, but they did see some deer, delaying a luke-warm breakfast. The rest of us had a leisurely breakfast letting the fog clear. All then again did different things.
Jack, Norman Pete and Phil went to Snape for a short walk to the south of the river before returning home.
Graham went to Cambridge after his run, breakfast and shower.
Paul took Dick’s car to meet the others at the lunch time stop walking back up the route until he met them.
The rest walked from the hostel until they came to the Suffolk Coast Path south of the river Alde. We took the path until Iken Cliff where it crossed a road continuing on past Middle Covert, Tumulus, then turning right down to another road and Tunstall Forest, on through the forest crossing another road to Six Acre Covert and on to Chillesford. We had planned to take lunch at the pub there (The Froize) but the beer was over chilled and they only did a carvery dinner and we were not dressed for dinner. It was decided to go back to Blaxhall and the Ship Inn. Paul went back in Dick’s car to make sure they knew we were coming and we would be able to get something. As it was so nice we all dropped our bags in the car and set off.
We went up Peddar’s Lane past Double Banks, (where we were surprised to see a car, with some youngsters in, who claimed they were lost driving down a green lane.), Elm, Bracken Farm bypassing Tunstall, carrying on until we reached Blaxhall Common then on into the village and lunch. Total distance 12 miles. After lunch we returned home without incident.
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