Bright sunshine greeted us as we headed out for our walk. We decided to do the walk around Scole and Upper Billingford again, because we wanted to show Val how lovely this walk is. Unfortunately Val was unable to join us, but the walk was still as lovely.
We noticed that the snowdrops have now been replaced by daffodils and that the birds are singing a much happier tune now that spring is here. Ducks were pairing off finding almost any drop of water they can, even puddles became ponds for them.
We found a grassy spot between Billingford and Upper Billingford for lunch and enjoyed the peace and almost quiet, with the A143 humming in the background.
A cat was sunning itself alongside the path and got up to greet us and enjoyed the fuss we gave it.
Walking through a field at Thelveton we came across an old tree, that looked as if it had been there for years, with no new branches or buds forming one can only assume that it is now disused!!
Crossing back over the A140 we commented on how busy it was this time. There were two men surveying part of the verge and we decided to get a photograph from the bridge above them.
Back home again to a large bowl of homemade cauliflower soup and plans for futher walks. Although we both have other commitments for a couple of weeks. Looking at our diaries we realise that we will only have time for about two more walks together before the start of Hadrian's Wall.
Friday 20 March 2009
Sunday 15 March 2009
Hornchurch Country Park
Jenny drove us to her sister Brenda's house for a training walk on Friday. Two of the biggest dogs I have ever seen welcomed us (Newfoundlands), Brenda supplied a welcome cup of coffee and soon we were off. A short walk from her house to the country park which offered well laid out paths for the most part and well worn tracks for the rest.
There are a number of wildlife areas, woods and Ingrebourne River with the promise of bluebells in May, trees just coming to life after the long cold winter months and birds singing. A perfect gem on the edge of Essex and London.
There were a number of people out walking their dogs and for the most part the sun came along too!
We spent most of the walk discussing walking and walking gear (well what else), and what we might expect on the Hadrian's Wall walk. Unfortunately there are no hills.... well perhaps a small hillock or two, however, we were out and walking and that can't be bad.
We had switched the gps on at the beginning of the walk to establish how far we will have walked at the end of the day, and to our surprise we had notched up just under 9 miles, although we did leave the country park and did a loop out round by the hospital to extend it as much as we could.
After a refreshing cup of tea at Brenda's and a quick kiss from the two big hounds (whether you wanted it or not), Jenny and I made haste to Lakeside and a visit to Decathlon the sports store. We shouldn't have done that, there were loads of things that we couldn't live without!
A slow drive back up to Suffolk, as we managed to join the Friday night rush hour.
There are a number of wildlife areas, woods and Ingrebourne River with the promise of bluebells in May, trees just coming to life after the long cold winter months and birds singing. A perfect gem on the edge of Essex and London.
There were a number of people out walking their dogs and for the most part the sun came along too!
We spent most of the walk discussing walking and walking gear (well what else), and what we might expect on the Hadrian's Wall walk. Unfortunately there are no hills.... well perhaps a small hillock or two, however, we were out and walking and that can't be bad.
We had switched the gps on at the beginning of the walk to establish how far we will have walked at the end of the day, and to our surprise we had notched up just under 9 miles, although we did leave the country park and did a loop out round by the hospital to extend it as much as we could.
After a refreshing cup of tea at Brenda's and a quick kiss from the two big hounds (whether you wanted it or not), Jenny and I made haste to Lakeside and a visit to Decathlon the sports store. We shouldn't have done that, there were loads of things that we couldn't live without!
A slow drive back up to Suffolk, as we managed to join the Friday night rush hour.
Thursday 12 March 2009
Nine Mile Stroll
Val joined Jenny and I for this nine mile stroll. We started off at Wilby Village Hall and walked to the path network on the edge of the fields, which were wet and muddy, me with new boots on and desperate to get them looking 'worn' and 'experienced' crossed the bridge with haste. The path starts off on the edge of the field in long grass and soon we were walking across a muddy field carrying about 2lb (1kg for you youg'ns reading this) on each boot.
All three of us were pleased to be out in the sunshine and found lots to talk about including the lovely surroundings. We headed out to Kersey Hall Road, with Bramble jumping in and out of all the ditches and large puddles, picking up the scent of some kind of wildlife and rushing off in all directions.
A large dog fox came out of the hedge onto the road, looked at us and then dived to the left back into the hedge, with Bramble hot on his tail. A few moments later we saw a fox racing across the field to our right, and assumed it was another fox.... no it was the same one, but Bramble had given up and was heading back towards us some distance away.
On the path just outside of Horham we stopped for a comfort break! and a sandwich. At this point Bramble was put on her lead while we walked along the road to the disused airfield. Every time we had previously walked over this airfield it was blowing a gale, so it was pleasant to have just a slight breeze to follow us.
We reached the little hamlet of Denham and then turned right along a wide grassy path, where we decided it was a good place to stop for another break.... You can only do this when your are retired and time is your own. There are some good points to being retired..... also some bad points.... We don't get Bank Holidays off.
Upon reaching Thorpe Hall, Bramble was again put on her lead for the walk back to the road, not something that either Bramble or Jenny enjoy! Once over the other side of the road, Bramble was off again chasing rabbits.
Walking up the incline (we don't have hills in Suffolk), we remarked on how we used to feel when we were returning to Wilby via this incline, now it was just a stroll in the park.
Back at the village hall and plans were made for our next walk, Jenny and I on Friday, and then all three of us next Wednesday.
Oh yes and the new boots that started off grey...... well they were brown!
Photos..... old timers illness has set in, we all forgot the camera.
All three of us were pleased to be out in the sunshine and found lots to talk about including the lovely surroundings. We headed out to Kersey Hall Road, with Bramble jumping in and out of all the ditches and large puddles, picking up the scent of some kind of wildlife and rushing off in all directions.
A large dog fox came out of the hedge onto the road, looked at us and then dived to the left back into the hedge, with Bramble hot on his tail. A few moments later we saw a fox racing across the field to our right, and assumed it was another fox.... no it was the same one, but Bramble had given up and was heading back towards us some distance away.
On the path just outside of Horham we stopped for a comfort break! and a sandwich. At this point Bramble was put on her lead while we walked along the road to the disused airfield. Every time we had previously walked over this airfield it was blowing a gale, so it was pleasant to have just a slight breeze to follow us.
We reached the little hamlet of Denham and then turned right along a wide grassy path, where we decided it was a good place to stop for another break.... You can only do this when your are retired and time is your own. There are some good points to being retired..... also some bad points.... We don't get Bank Holidays off.
Upon reaching Thorpe Hall, Bramble was again put on her lead for the walk back to the road, not something that either Bramble or Jenny enjoy! Once over the other side of the road, Bramble was off again chasing rabbits.
Walking up the incline (we don't have hills in Suffolk), we remarked on how we used to feel when we were returning to Wilby via this incline, now it was just a stroll in the park.
Back at the village hall and plans were made for our next walk, Jenny and I on Friday, and then all three of us next Wednesday.
Oh yes and the new boots that started off grey...... well they were brown!
Photos..... old timers illness has set in, we all forgot the camera.
Thursday 5 March 2009
10 miles
Yesterday there was a threat of rain and wintery showers, fortunately they didn't arrive until we had got home.
Jenny and I decided to test our fitness levels and do a 10 mile walk, taking in part of Angles Way and Bodicca's Way. What a lovely walk it turned out to be. Frenze Hall with it's ford running fast and deep with carpets of snowdrops as a backdrop, the little church almost opposite nestling amongst the trees.
There were snowdrops carpeting the wooded area along the drive towards Diss Business Centre. A most delightful site on a dull cold March morning.
We crossed the A140 via the bridge and headed out to Thorpe Hall, where we ended up carrying a great deal of mud on our boots.
Just before we reached Upper Billingford we stopped for our lunch break. Almost opposite us there was a small wood and a flock of birds flew up and made some great shapes, however, by the time I got the camera out they had dispersed somewhat. We soon realisd that we were gettting cold and packed up our stuff and got on the road again.
When we reached Upper Billingford we met a dog who apparently was a bit of a scavenger in the village and was rather shy, so we didn't get to stroke him. This is a pretty little hamlet with some beautiful houses sitting shoulder to shoulder.
At this point we picked up the Boudicca's Way walk and continued to the tiny and lonely church of St. Andrew in Thelveton. It was a lovely surprise to find this church tucked away all on it's own.
Eventually Boudicca's Way joins up with Angles Way and we were once again back at Frenze Hall and crossing the rickety bridge over the ford, which for some reason appeared to be angry and too busy to slow down.
We must be getting fit, as neither of us felt that we had just walked 10 miles.
Back home to hot home made vegetable soup and chunks of crusty bread with a cup of steaming tea and we were back to normal. Then there was a downpour of hailstones. It seems that we made it just in time.
Jenny and I decided to test our fitness levels and do a 10 mile walk, taking in part of Angles Way and Bodicca's Way. What a lovely walk it turned out to be. Frenze Hall with it's ford running fast and deep with carpets of snowdrops as a backdrop, the little church almost opposite nestling amongst the trees.
There were snowdrops carpeting the wooded area along the drive towards Diss Business Centre. A most delightful site on a dull cold March morning.
We crossed the A140 via the bridge and headed out to Thorpe Hall, where we ended up carrying a great deal of mud on our boots.
Just before we reached Upper Billingford we stopped for our lunch break. Almost opposite us there was a small wood and a flock of birds flew up and made some great shapes, however, by the time I got the camera out they had dispersed somewhat. We soon realisd that we were gettting cold and packed up our stuff and got on the road again.
When we reached Upper Billingford we met a dog who apparently was a bit of a scavenger in the village and was rather shy, so we didn't get to stroke him. This is a pretty little hamlet with some beautiful houses sitting shoulder to shoulder.
At this point we picked up the Boudicca's Way walk and continued to the tiny and lonely church of St. Andrew in Thelveton. It was a lovely surprise to find this church tucked away all on it's own.
Eventually Boudicca's Way joins up with Angles Way and we were once again back at Frenze Hall and crossing the rickety bridge over the ford, which for some reason appeared to be angry and too busy to slow down.
We must be getting fit, as neither of us felt that we had just walked 10 miles.
Back home to hot home made vegetable soup and chunks of crusty bread with a cup of steaming tea and we were back to normal. Then there was a downpour of hailstones. It seems that we made it just in time.
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