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
