Decided to start a new regime of gentle exercise, having forfeited the old rambles back in 2017 after the “incidents”. We decided to keep the walks tight, no more than 3-4 miles and with some kind of incentive to keep the interest. So, on Friday, we undertook the first of these less than gruelling challenges by revisiting RSPB Minsmere on the coast up past Yoxford.
Up early so arrived just in time for a breakfast bacon bap, the first of a number of indulgences. Followed by taking the trail pat a number of the more well known, larger hides as well as a portion of the lovely coastline. Very pleasant, extended a little by an extension to Sizewell. Managed to get a few photos on the reserve and called in to Yoxford on the way home, where we came upon an excellent café / restaurant (G&T’s Cafe & Kitchen) that served a stellar range of cakes and other delights. Indulgence number two!
On Saturday we did one of our favourite local walks at Woodbridge along the river Deben – on this occasion we had the prospect of coffee at the Hut writ large in our mindset. When we got there we discovered junior school age versions of ‘Smoke On The Water” and other local musical delights on stage, consequently stayed longer than anticipated – the coffee became two coffees and they were accompanied by an excellent, locally produced sausage roll.
Sunday saw us back at Woodbridge, this time to walk the Deben in the opposite direction to Melton. Another lovely walk and stun me if we didn’t find the new Honey & Harvey open opposite the rail station and in the grounds of the new Suffolk Coastal District Council’s offices (superb value for money, no cheaper options, fully costed and risk assessed) and absolutely no reason for suddenly charging to remove garden waste from our property. Just a coffee this time as, sadly, we had already had breakfast at home. Three walks completed, didn’t feel unduly pessimistic and looking forward to the challenge of maintaining some perverse kind of exercise programme.
Then on to walk four, and back to one of our favourites, the old railway walk from Aldeburgh to Thorpeness and back to Aldeburgh along the still (amazingly) chilly coastline. Just about the right length as we continue to build up our stamina and overall fitness levels; and not in any way influenced by the presence of an excellent lunch stop on the edge of the Meare at the aforementioned Thorpeness!
Hope fully we’ll get into a routine, keep the early mornings and attendant walks a regular ‘lifestyle’ feature from now on 🙂