Warbleswick to Southwold and back - a great walk

Yesterday's walk had it all, even the retail therapy at the start of the walk and the opportunities for future present buying clocked half way round - it was a good job we were walking!!

I've done a little walking in Warbleswick before but more as a means to getting across the River Blyth which would then enable me to walk to Southwold, one of my favourite little seaside resorts. Yesterday I got to explore at least some of the paths I'd spotted before as I introduced Cajsa to the area and also tried out a 7.5 mile walk to share with clients and interested walkers. This walk is also great if you're not into hills ever or yet and the scenery and terrain are wonderful and ever changing.

e parked down by the River Blyth and wondered back through the village visiting some of the little shops and enjoying a coffee and the most wonderful carrot cake I've ever tasted. From there we were soon able to take off from the road and travel through allotments towards the River Dunwich.

On the allotments there was produce of all kinds in abundance as you would expect for this time of the year and this wonderful sunflower that I just couldn't resist photographing.

Heading for the river, we skirted a field on dry sandy narrow paths and then walked on duckboards through the reedbeds where we could look across to the dunes and sea beyond,until we came to the river itself.

The brick tower of the former drainage pump mill was our focus point as here, we left the Suffolk Coast Path that we'd joined for a while and turned right towards woodland. But first we stopped to admire the swans and to look back towards Warbleswick and to Southwold which we'd reach later. It's always worth remembering to look behind you as often you miss some of the best views.

The next view photos illustrate the changing terrain that we next found ourselves on.....

Signage was on the whole good with info on the area and what you could expect to see therefore dealing with the needs and interests of all kinds of walkers.

We walked through narrow paths of gorse and blackberries, which were delicious, on our way to the substantial footbridge over the River Blyth and from here headed across the golf course, past tennis courts and a circus before arriving in Southwold not far from the High Street.

It was very good that we were walking as it meant we weren't able to carry a lot - will just have to make a trip back sometime. Suppose this is a warning really, if you like shopping, you will be tempted.


Sampled some great organic ice-cream here as we wandered through the town and made our way down to the beach. Although warm but overcast at the start of the day, the sky was now a stunning blue and the wind which had picked up was crashing onto the beach. True to form though the beach was busy with sandcastle building families, kites, games of football and people in the sea. They were braver than me.

Here's me having some well earned fish and chips before walking into the wind as we headed along the beach for the River Blyth once again.

Walking back was like getting a free exfoliation as the sand was being blown towards us and stinging our faces and legs. I felt really exhilarated though, something about the power of sea and wind, it really made me feel alive.

Once we reached the river and turned away from the sea, everything calmed and we walked up the river enjoying the views and that wonderful mellow evening light that's so good for taking photos in.

The sun was beaming down as we stopped at the pub to sit and savor it all while we enjoyed a drink.

Then having missed the row boat ferry, it was on to the footbridge yet again to cross the river and time to soak up the last rays as we watched the canoeists and returned to the car.

The walk took us quite a while as we If you choose to do this walk, you can make a day of it as we did or be rather more focused on the task in hand and not get distracted by all there is to see and experience, it's up to you. What ever you decide, I'll be amazed if you don't have a great time.

Walking everywhere.

Just back from 8 wonderful days in France where apart from sitting in the garden and visiting the local pool, we walked along the Nivernais canal from Clamency, revisited my favourite walk from our village and explored the updated Sancerre Trail but more about that later when I get the photos downloaded and the emails dealt with......

Today, I'm organising our next section of the Thames Path taking us from Culham to Oxford which happens on Saturday and although a small group only, I have the feeling it will be a beautiful walk.

I've just flicked through the latest copy of Country Walking which has loads for me to share with you over the days and weeks and am delighted to have found, buried in the emails, a new site and a hidden garden walk in the City of London where apparently there are about 200 hidden gardens ranging from secret courtyards to little-known walkways which can be discovered by taking some of the Green City Walks .

The walks kick off from 1.30pm at Moorgate Tube station every Wednesday, finishing at Bank at 3.45pm. Other great strolls on offer include the ‘Time Tunnel’, a journey through the City’s history from the 21st century to the days of Londinium, and ‘Jewels of the East’ exploring the beauty of the Regent's Canal, the Hertford Union Canal, Victoria Park and Mile End Park.

Whether I join in with the Green City Walks or explore them myself, I'm going to get out there. I love being introduced to new places to walk and I've come across enough even this morning to do me for the coming year I think.

It literally is walking everywhere!

July on the Thames Path

The East End Girls are still on the Thames and
now nearer to Oxford that London, we'll actually walk into Oxford on this months walk on Aug 22nd. If anyone is interested, we're up for a 12 mile walk, just email heather@walkerscoach.com

Here are some photos from the latest walk when we walked from Cholsey to Culham, a walk of 14 miles. Unfortunately there was an additional mile at the start to get to the path and 1.5 miles to the station at the other end) The walk happened on a very hot day and as you'll see from some of the photos, there were stretches with little shade.

How about that for a boat house? If you can beat that, let me know, photographic proof please.

The fields were alive with butterflies and some plants like this one were absolutely covered.

Photos above taken at Day's Lock Weir.

Lessons to be learnt for all of us regarding how much water to drink and the need to wear hats, something it's good to be reminded off from time to time as we can all become a little complacent.

It was another great walk, even with the unexpected 'bog' at the end - well at least it cooled our feet!

Another successful Big Fun Walk

In March, for the second year, I took part in the Big Fun walk supporting the North London Hospice. If you're a regular reader to my blogs then you'll know what a great walk it is. I've just heard that this year they raised over £137,300 which is fabulous.

If you're interested in taking part in 2010 then the date you need to put in your diary is Sunday 21 March. 2010. Information about the walk usually comes out towards the end of the year so to express interest go to http://www.bigfunwalk.co.uk/.

I might just see you there.

South Downs National Park

Did you know that the Government has confirmed the go ahead for a South Downs National Park in Sussex and Hampshire?

It stretches westwards for more than 144km/90 miles from the white cliffs of Beachy Head across Sussex and Hampshire to Winchester and this area contains some of the best-known and most admired hill country in the United Kingdom.

The Park will be established broadly along the lines proposed by the then Countryside Agency almost seven years ago and will bring greater protection and funding to the area.

Even more reason , if you don't know it to get out there and walk. For more information visit - http://www.southdownsonline.org/