Brooke Report

Mud, Mud, Glorious Mud, Nothing quite like it ……………!  2011 may well go down in history as one of the driest years on record.  I can only recall one month, Ingham in February that was in any way wet and that was a heavy drizzle. Just recently we have had a few days of rain, enough to bring the Wellingtons out. We had a damp misty day for our January walk and came up against something that we had not seen for sometime. ’ Hello, our leader is putting his wellies on, does he know something that we don’t’ . I explained to the 15 walkers before we left, that the overnight rain may have made 3 fields a little muddy and I was taking a precaution. They did not seem convinced! The first 2 fields passed without much comment. There was enough growing on the fields to act as a carpet. However, following a very attractive tunnel of woodland we came to an opening  before us was a field and I called a break for drinks and nibbles. We stood together on the edge of the field and already some footwear was beginning to sink into the mud. I pointed out a path across the field and off we went. By the time we had crossed the field our footwear was caked in mud, at times many in inches thick. Scraping on the road, wiping on tufts of grass, finding a puddle. Some soon gave up. This was real mud, glorious adhesive mud, not at all like the surrounding fields. We left a trail of clods all the way back to the Kings Head!

We have made a change to our walks this year.  Up until now we have not walked the same route twice, that means we have not repeated any of the 150 walks we have done. This year we are going to include five routes that we have used before and to just to make it a little different we are going to do them the other way round. The five walks are Brooke, Levington, Walberswick, Hinderclay, Thornham,  We started with Brooke for our January Walk. Despite the misty conditions at the start and the extra muddy field it was a very attractive walk. We reached the hamlet of Howe with it’s lovely church. Yes, we did notice that it was St Mary the Virgin.  Leaving Howe we followed Shotesham Road, Grub Street, Howe Lane, Mill Lane, Littlebeck Lane which took us to Kirstead, another fine hamlet.  The Church of St Margaret was rather overshadowed by the Grade I listed Elisabeth Manor 1560. What a stunning building to finish the walk.

Winter Parish Walk – Brooke

Welcome to our walks for 2012.  You should by now have your diary at the ready so put your twelve walks in a prominent place. You should not be surprised to see that 10 of the walks are in Suffolk. We have often commented on this as we feel that the scenery in Suffolk is much more varied and the directional signs in Norfolk are quite poor. A little task for you. Which two walks will be in Norfolk?

Having celebrated our 150 walks, all of them different, we are going to repeat 5 of them. The 5 are Brooke, Levington, Walberswick, Hinderclay and Thornham and we shall walk them in reverse, beginning with Brooke. (not walking backwards!)  There is an error in the inside of the Walks leaflet for December. It should read Friday December 28th.

We leave Diss at about 9.00am and meet up at the Kings Head Pub where we shall park the cars.  Leaving the pub we head north through the village and into the countryside, a few fields and we are at the small hamlet of Howe.  Grub Street, a lane, followed by Howes Lane, a woodland track take us southward following Brooke Wood.  A break here beside the wood before we follow two long lanes, Mill Lane, and Littlebeck Lane. These take us to another hamlet at Kirstead and meadows, mature woodland, a stream and ponds as we return to Brooke for our lunch at about 1.00pm. We are unable to book our meal on the day so please select your Main Course from the choice over leave.

Travel Directions:
A number of ways to go but this may be the easiest and is fairly quick. Take the A143 to Bungay, via Harleston. At the second roundabout in Bungay, turn left and take the B1332 Norwich road to Brooke.  The Kings Head is on the right just after the crossroads in the village.

The walk is about 6 miles and is a mixture of lanes, woodland tracks and fields.  Fairly level, no stiles but we do have to cross at least 3 fields which may be muddy so be warned.

Next walk:
Wednesday February 15th    -   ASPALL

Phone        643263    07818436592
OS Maps    Explorer    237    Norwich    Wymondham

Explorer OL40 The Broads

Starston & Harleston Report

There are two special walks that we do in August and December.  The August walk is about 10 miles and is designed for those who like a challenge and to experience a much further walk with a break for a picnic half way.  The December walk is about 4-5 miles, a leisurely stroll with an opportunity for those who do not walk that often to join in.  We all have a Christmas lunch with crackers and hats and invite others who do not regularly walk to join us at the Christmas table. This year19 hardy souls enjoyed a 4 mile walk taking in the village of Starston.  This was followed by an excellent lunch for walkers and non walkers alike at the J D Young Hotel in Harleston

The December Walk was on the 28th, a chance to get some exercise following the Christmas Festivities.  Cars were parked and we all met up at Budgens before heading through the housing estates of southern Harleston. We were soon out into the countryside and enjoying the wide vistas. Large fields of rose plants came as a surprise, a good example of diversification!  Heading north we came to a farm and spent some time talking  to the ‘lady of the farm’ and pointing out the route we were to follow. At the farmyard it was certainly difficult to pick up the route. Where was the footpath sign!  Ah yes, there it is, hidden under that rubble. Soon we had a lovely wide grass path which took us into Starston.  We walked through a paddock and soon made friends with the occupants, very docile ponies looking for an apple.  We walked along the river bank, very attractive as we passed a small windmill and many cottages.  We climbed a slope up to the church, a shame that it was closed, but there were some seats there to rest awhile.  Not far now as we climbed out of the valley, through the trees to Bunn Lane and Budgens. Maybe you can be with us next year and enjoy the walk or at least join us for the lunch

Winter Parish Walk – Starston & Harleston

Wednesday December 28th, 2011

Another year of walks is almost over.  2011 has been a special year with three excellent  walks in Suffolk, Chillesford, Sutton, and Holbrook, three super local walks with Hempnall, Market Weston and Bunwell. We celebrated our 150 walks at the Park Hotel with an excellent lunch, one week after walking around Chillesford before having that very special unique lunch at the Froize. We now look forward to next year and a chance for you to study the maps and see where we plan to go. One change to the walks next year is that we plan to repeat walks we have done before, maybe walk the opposite way round or a different time of year. Details will be on your Walk Leaflet.

Our Christmas walk is about 4 – 5 miles and includes the village of Starston.  We plan to walk from Budgens in the High Street where there are toilets, and free parking. I suggest that you leave Diss by 9.15am so that we can be ready to start our walk by 10.00 am from Budgens.  We head south through Harleston as far as Spirketts Lane. North next along the boundaries of large fields, many with hectares of roses. Cranes Farm, Yewtree Farm and down to the river at Streamlet Farm as meadows take us  eventually  to the village of Starston.  A break here before we climb out of the valley and head for Bunns Lane.  Woodland and meadows eventually bring us back to Harleston for lunch at about 1.00pm.

Walsham-le-Willows – Report

The morning was frosty and misty.  Oh dear!  Hope it will clear before our walk.  Luckily not far to drive – down the A143, turn off at Wattisfield and head through the bendy lanes to Walsham Le Willows.  Already the sun was beginning to be seen behind the mist and the air was warming up (a little).
The Blue Boar – was that where Robin Hood used to meet people?? But surely that was Nottingham?  Anyway, the pub was open and we parked up and ordered our meal.  (No sign of any outlaws yet – just the usual suspects.)  So down through the village, which has a shop and a good butchers, and shows films in the village hall/community centre and even boasts an enormous builders merchants (Clarkes).   Then onto a pathway heading out around fields and into open countryside.
By this time the sun was really showing through and the views were stunning.  Misty blue light over crops already growing and a slight haze in the distance over the farm buildings.  We walked down narrow lanes with trees forming a canopy overhead.  Most of the leaves are down now, but some trees still seemed to have green leaves;  where did Autumn go?  Or is it still coming?  The talk then turned to strange things happening in our gardens -narcissi and orange blossom flowering, birds showing spring behaviour.  We shook our heads and showed our age. “What is the world coming to?”
We had to be careful when we wandered along the narrow roads, now and again a car or van or even a tractor came along.  But the tarmaced bits were few and far between.  There were wide tracks alongside hedges with shrivelled up sloes and many hips showing.  In the distance we saw large houses with interesting names : Batwright’s Barn, Keeper House, Burnt House, Squirrels Hall, Fishpond Farm, Sunnyside House, Redbrick Cottage; and places : Finch’s Bottoms, Westhall Wood, Ten Acre Wood, Cranmere Green.  Underfoot it was long grass, still damp and a bit of mud in places, but not difficult to negotiate.
We zig-zagged down the sides of fields, walked along wide paths that ended in pathways through woods, past a large pond glinting in the now quite warm sun , and followed a stream to the South West corner of the village.  We went through 2 stiles which have been called ‘nut crackers’ but an informed person told us they were “eyes of needles”, the kind camels can’t go through (biblical reference).  So you always learn something new on our walks.
The sign had said “Beware of the Bull” and just before the village, there he was, with his cows and, lo and behold, a very young and beautiful calf……….. what were we saying about spring?
Past the cemetery and St Mary’s Church to the Blue Boar for a very nice lunch.  Another thoroughly enjoyable walk.  Thanks, David and Jan.

Autumn Parish Walk – Walsham Le Willows

Wednesday  November 16th 2011

What a fantastic walk we had last month at Holbrook, it had everything, wonderful scenery, a bright blue sky, large range of features and a fine lunch.  This month we are back home with a short journey to Walsham Le Willows with another potential winner on offer!

We leave Diss at about 9.15am and meet up at the Blue Boar Inn, our venue for lunch. Please go into the pub by 9.45am and order your meal so we can begin our walk by 10.00am. We begin by walking through another very attractive Suffolk village before heading out into the open countryside and taking an anticlockwise route around the village. The walk has a number of quiet lanes and wide tracks and paths.  As usual there is a constant change in the scenery. Westhall Wood, Ten Acre Wood, Cranmere Green, Burnt House, Finch’s Bottoms, Squirrels Hall.  We arrive back at the village in the SW corner having just followed a stream.  Finally, a chance to pause in St Mary,s Church before heading for the Blue Boar.

We are into winter now and will be lucky to have bright sunny dry days. This walk was fine when we did the recce but it could be muddy so suitable footwear is required. The route is mainly flat and easy and is about 6 miles with a few stiles

Travel directions :
Take the A143 Bury St Edmunds road through Wortham, and the Botesdale bypass. On reaching Wattisfield, turn left at the cross roads signed Walsham le Willows.  Drive into the village, turn right at the junction and the Blue Boar is on your left. Park here.

Notes:    Christmas Walk and Lunch
Our Christmas Lunch and Walk is aready arranged. These notes are to update you.
The walk is about 5 miles around Harleston and Starston and is on Wednesday December 28th.
Lunch is at 1pm at the J D Young Hotel in Harleston after the Walk
These notes will also be on the December Walk sheet

Phone        643263    07818436592
OS Map          Explorer    230     Diss    Harleston

Holbrook Report

Wednesday 19th October 2011

We couldn’t believe it – the weather for the walk turned out even better than for the recce. three weeks before! Given the stunning scenery, what a gift! Granted it was slightly cooler but just as cloudless.
As is often the way of it we left the village by the back door fingerpost route, having arrived by the main road. As we left it the real look of Holbrook made its mark – tree-lined paths led to open fields; quite steep in places, for us The Flat Earth Society of Norfolk! Then opening up was the sight of Alton Water from the Dam ( a gaggle of greylag geese, oblivious to the beauty of the scene, complained about the tourists interrupting their regular 10.30am community bicker ). “Over there”, said our leader, “is the tower of The Royal Hospital School.” This vision of educational architecture stayed with us, on our left, all morning. We could have called the walk “ A voyage round my school” if any of us had actually been there in our formative years.
We then headed to the village of Stutton. Beautiful houses, coyly hidden behind big hedges and high fences, leading to the pretty church of St Peter – open and welcoming to the extent that we were invited to make ourselves a cuppa at their expense! We didn’t presume of course, but a nice gesture nonetheless. Then a small section of parkland brought us to a magnificent view of the The Royal Hospital. Suffice it to say that if the planners were ever to give consent for photoelectric panels, this south-facing roof could power Ipswich with ease! Huge? It most certainly was.
Suddenly we were climbing the sea defences and looking out over the estuary of the River Stour. A flock of starlings casually threw us some abstract shapes, swooping and zooming as only they can. You couldn’t help feeling that they would have done it anyway, even if we hadn’t been there to watch!
A lovely little inlet was the idyllic harbour for a number of small pleasure boats as we followed the coastal path. We walked up the slope away from the water just as an argumentative squadron of Brent geese rolled in an immaculate landing on the newly harvested sugar beet field next to our path. Clearly not one of them was completely satisfied with their performance, but it all looked perfectly fine to us.
The last bit was all uphill – “What again?” But the pub beckoned as we broke out of a really lovely bit of dense woodland straight into All Saints churchyard in Holbrook village. “Wasn’t that lovely?” Intimate woodland rubbed shoulders with a lake, a piece of impressive architecture, a river estuary and (the best bit for me) groups of birds being and doing what only they can be and do; regardless of mere humanity being on hand.

Autumn Parish Walk – Holbrook

Wednesday October 19th 2011
It is a fairly long drive this month but, weather permitting, it is a stunning location in which to walk.  It would be in the top ten of scenic walks that we have done over the years with a real variety of habitat. We leave Diss at 8.45am and meet up at the Compasses Pub in Holbrook by 9.45. Please go into the pub and order your meal and be ready to start walking by 10.00am.  Tree lined paths, open fields and relatively steep slopes around Brook Farm.  Across the Alton Dam and views of The Royal Hospital as we take the Holbrook Road.  Along the shaded avenue we reach our rest stop at St.Peters Church in Stutton. Well worth a look.  Large houses hidden in the woodland.  Soon we head for the raised banks protecting the River Stour and the estuary. A lovely walk along the bank, attractive with a small harbour. More walking with much to see before we climb up out of the valley. We reach Lower Holbrook with more variety of dwellings before we climb again.  Finally we cross the upland meadows and aim for The Church of All Saints in Holbrook and the pub up the Street.

A little more challenging this month but still good underfoot.  No stiles!!

Travel directions:
Diss to Ipswich on the A140.  Join the A14 and keep on this road until you reach the A137.  Bear left and then turn left at the roundabout. Down the hill and then turn right onto the B1456  Under the Orwell Bridge. After Freston, bear right  onto the B1080 signed Holbrook. The Compasses Pub is on the right with the Car Park.

Notes:                A  Message from Roland

Some of you may know that 6 years ago I had major heart surgery to replace a mitral valve, damaged when I had rheumatic fever at 15. Although it carried me through nearly 60 years it finally started failing and surgery was the only hope. I shall ever be grateful to Papworth Hospital for both extending my life and for giving me a better quality of life.
The Papworth Hospital Charity supports the hospital by raising money for various projects that help both the patients and work of the hospital. The current appeal is to raise £40 000 for an Inter Aortic Balloon Pump.  I won’t describe what it does but it is described as a life saving device.
As part of this appeal the charity has arranged a sponsored walk of 6 or 9 miles at Grafham Water on 25 September.  As we may be away on that date I wondered whether I could use this walk as my effort and ask my fellow walkers to sponsor me on this October Walk.
My thanks in advance                    Roland

I am sure that you would like to add your support to this appeal from Roland.  We will organise a collection on October 19, the day of the Holbrook Walk. If you are unable to walk that day but would like to make a contribution then I am happy to receive your donation and will pass it on.  I am sure Roland is most grateful for the hospital care he has received. We are equally grateful that he is able to regularly walk with us.

Phone            643263              07818436592
OS Map        Explorer    197  Ipswich   Felixstowe

Next Walk:   Wednesday  16th November  Walsham Le Willows
Bird Watch:  Wednesday   2nd  November  Walberswick

Hempnall Report

As expected on one of David’s walks, the weather behaved itself and even gave us some glimpses of late September sunshine as we trekked our way across the Norfolk  countryside.  We’d left our lunchtime orders at The Old Ram at Tivetshall, then drove to Hempnall before parking at the village hall to begin the walk.  The previous nights rain warranted serious consideration on choice of footwear with Sharon’s pink and white spotted wellies winning hands down.

Creeping past the tennis courts, we were soon in the open with views across the newly ploughed fields edged with native hedging, including fruit laden brambles and tempting sloes, much to Jake’ delight.  Sadly, there were no mushrooms for this ‘fun guy!’

One item to be definitely missed was the number of cow pats, some of which were rather too fresh for comfort and had walkers checking all around for providers of such ‘country fayre’.   And whilst not one bull, calf or cow (despite the warning signs) was to be found, we were on our guard as a dozen stampeding horses suddenly created a slight scare which could have given those cows a run for their money.

The walk details advised on their being ‘a number of stiles’ but they are all ‘relatively’ easy to cross.  Note the use of the word ‘relatively’ still,  all 8 stiles were safely overcome with each of the 22 showing their own ‘style’.  One stile was quite different, the ’nutcracker’ stile.  The male walkers were all pleased to get through that one!

Mention was made that it could be a walk of many tractor sightings and hardly a soul, which was largely true if four farm vehicles and two people on horseback count.  It certainly was a walk of varied scenery and easy walking but as we found ourselves ambling back to our cars through sleepy Hempnall, the thought was that David needs a pedometer for Christmas.  Five miles indeed!!

Numbers are obviously something that staff at The Old Ram also have trouble with as our table was set for only 20, two short of the required figure.  However, the food was good as was the ambience and another successful walk came to an end.

Autumn Parish Walk – Hempnall

Wednesday 21st September, 2011

We leave Diss at 9.15am.  Please meet up at about 9.30am at the Old Ram on the A140 at Tivetshall.  Go into the pub and order your meal.  Once we have all selected our meal we drive to Hempnall and park at the Village Hall ready to start our walk at 10.00am

This walk is very attractive and is almost all paths and tracks with few sections of road or lanes.  We head off south along Lower Lane and soon reach Lundy Green.  This leads to a large area of fields and pasture with little sign of habitation. We follow a stream close to the village of Shelton before reaching Fritton Common.  An excellent area of farms and ponds as we now turn north.  We turn into an attractive valley and follow that back to Hempnall. A good 5miles of varied scenery and easy walking.

Two things to be aware of.  There are a number of stiles but they are all relatively easy to cross.  We came across cattle in a number of fields when we did the recce. This might cause a detour from the planned route.  We aim to get back to the Car Park by 12.30 and  then onto the Old Ram for our lunch at about 1.00pm

Travel directions:

A140 Norwich direction.  Call in at the Old Ram on the left after the Dickleburgh Bypass and order your lunch. Continue to Hempnall.  Through Long Stratton and turn right at the cross roads, signed  B1527.  Into and through the village, turn right into the village hall. Turn left  and park at the end near to the tennis courts.

Notes:
I hope you had a very enjoyable ‘150’ celebration.

The walk round Chillesford and Sudbourne was very attractive and it was good that we had 20 of us to enjoy the occasion.  The lunch at the Froize  was something else.  Those of you who had dined there before knew what was coming. If this was your first gourmet  experience at Froiz then I hope you were well satisfied.

We had 61 for lunch at the Park Hotel a week later. This was a superb response.  We were very pleased that so many of you were able to join us and share in the excellent lunch. Jan and I were overwhelmed with gifts.  A beautiful bouquet for Jan and a set of vouchers for me.  Thank you  so very much.

Map:    Explorer  Map  237   (Norwich   Attleborough    Watton)

Next Walk    Holbrook       Suffolk    October 19th