After a disappointing “attendance record” in 2015, I hope to make much more of an effort this year and get to far more Ramblers hikes than I did last year. Having said that, I’ve started off badly by missing the one yesterday in the Iken area. Denise did manage to get along and was rewarded with an appearance on Anglia TV – much to her chagrin, as she was wearing a long three quarter waterproof that hadn’t previously seen the light of day for around 20 years! Anyway, although it rained prior to the start of the walk, it cleared up and the sun shone for most of the ramble. Apparently, it was extremely muddy, so it’s probably just as well I missed it and so avoid the endless moaning about the state of the boots and the cleaning they would require!
Walk 2 of 2016 for Denise yesterday. This one was at Rendlesham Forest, a breezy six and a half miler. Still managed to catch the walk, despite initially arriving at the wrong “airbase” car park.
Walk 3 today (for Denise) but this time not with the Ramblers. We decided against what would have been a ten miler and instead went up to Snape and walked to Iken and back from there. Very pleasant (probably only five miles or so), and took the opportunity to have a look in the very pretty and unusual church at Iken – St. Botolph, where there has been some sort of church for nearly 1400 years. The present church’s nave, although subject to restoration, dates back to 1200.
Denise on Walk 4 of the year yesterday, this one around Playford and the Fynn Valley, which was handy as the start was just along the road. Lovely day, so I took the opportunity to stroll out along the river Deben and compare a few things on my two cameras, with typically ambiguous and inconclusive results. So the search to decide on the Fuji or the micro four thirds format drifts on!
Walk 5 for Denise this morning, a six miler around Martlesham and Bealings, which was nice and local and the rain held off! And, inexcusably I’ve still to put in an appearance this year…..
Walk 6 for Denise today (walk 5 with the Ramblers) and the first of the year with the Ramblers for me was a five and half miler around Newbourne and Waldringfield, which was a repeat of the first walk we ever did with the group, back in 2014. Finished off with a pleasant meal in the Newbourne Fox – met a first timer with the ramblers from Sheffield called Peter, which I think most would accept is a more than a tad unusual!
Walk 6 with the Ramblers for Denise today and my second was a ramble around Marlesford, Parham and Great Glemham. We reckon it turned out to be a seven miler or so and it was surprising to see such pretty villages sitting right on the edge of the A12. Normally, we’re up and down the A12 in the car and are unaware that these places even exist; and it doesn’t matter how small these places are, there’s usually a decent sized church and lavish manor house or hall to be found as well – step forward Marlesford Hall, circa 1790.
Walk 7 for Denise (my third) today was a six miler around the Butley area. Very pleasant country walk with the added advantage of getting it completed before the heavens briefly opened. Sad to see that Butley’s pub, the Oyster, is closed and still for sale years after serving its last pint.
Walk 8 for Denise yesterday (I was returning a monitor to the Docs!)) was a 6 miler around Grundisburgh, followed by soup and cake. I shall not embarrass Denise by commenting on the number of cake portions she had (except to say it wasn’t one)
Ramble nine for Denise (four for me) yesterday was a pleasant 6 miler around Farnham, including a trek through a lovely Bluebell Wood and a walk through the natural Greenwood Burial Ground, a seventy-seven acre site. Finished off with a quick lunch in the Friday Street Farm Cafe
Ramble ten for Denise (five for me) today, a six and a half miler around Foxhall and Purdis Farm. Added bonus that we could walk to the start in around 20 minutes, which meant we also put in an extra couple of miles or so. Discovered that the old radar buildings at Foxhall (the walk start point) also house a volunteer aviation museum. Despite living so close by had no idea that a small museum had opened in 2008 only 20 minutes walk away.
Ramble 11 for Denise yesterday, a six and a half miler around Alton and Bentley. A particularly attractive walk apparently. I, meanwhile, was having a chat to my GP about the results of the 24 hour ECG!
Ramble 12 for Denise and the sixth for me today, another six and a half miler. This one was a “Three Woods Walk” near Needham Market and the Needham Lakes. I think we were all grateful that it was a predominantly wooded walk as it it turned out to be about 25C in the sun. A lovely day, but quite a warm one for a ramble. Rewarded ourselves with an ice cream at the finish!
Ramble 13 (7th for me) yesterday was a shortish five and half miler around Woodbridge – riverside, inland and back along more coast. Very pleasant, although we knew most of the walk anyway, as it’s our normal stomping ground. Made less enjoyable for me with an increasing problem with heart palpitations / ectopic beats, which I’m in the process of trying to get diagnosed
Ramble 14 last night for Denise was a Friday evening walk around the Hintlesham area, which she said was a very pleasant countryside ramble. Perfect evening weather as well.
Ramble 15 for Denise today, a nearly 10 miler from Beccles to Oulton Broad after a return trip by train to start the walk. Rain held off, so weather pleasant for longer walk than usual. I gave it a miss whilst waiting on the next stage in the cardiology review.
Ramble 17 for Denise today, this time around Holbrook, a six and a half miler. It wasn’t supposed to , but it did rain a little – not part of the plan!
Ramble 18 for Denise yesterday was a 12 miler around Fynn Valley / Westerfield all the way back to Woodbridge, which is very impressive. I passed, as I’m about to pick up the cardiology event recorder tomorrow
Ramble 19 for Denise after a bit of a break. A 6 miler around the Bucklesham area. I’m trying to get the Atrial Fibrillation under control before I kick off again