Waterpump CL - Badingham - Woodbridge - Suffolk - contd

Sunday, 5th May 2024

Another good day, weatherise, sunny and warm 20c.

After yesterdays bicycle ride, Kathleen is not up for more cycling today.

We take a short stroll (just over two miles) around the village of Badingham, and, very nice it is too.

The village church (St John the Baptist), all very well kept.

We also encounter a place called "the Carters Loft", which appears to have once been a work shop or storage area, with a living space above.

There is no information board, but, I assume that "Carter" refers to the trade of making or driving carts, rather than the family name.

An odd feature is this statue/bust which is set in the corner of the upper story. It appears to be a man in military uniform, interesting story there no doubt, but, I don't know what it is.

Further research, ie Google, reveals that the property is a holiday let: Carters Loft, Badingham.

We again give some custom to The White Horse.

Monday, 6th May 2024

The weather forecast suggests that rain is likely, but, the reality is sunshine and 20c.

The cycling equipment. is still declared to be "tender", so, we make up a walk, around the local lanes, and paths.

We encounter this rather imposing house, the name board declares it to to be "The Old Rectory", it is just waiting for Mr Darcy to ride up the drive.

Eventually, as planned, we arrive back at Badingham, and find this rather oddly names place.

Not a word I have come across before, pightle, Goole says:

"Noun. pightle (plural pightles) (archaic, dialect) A small piece of enclosed land, often by a hedge. Some authorities also indicate that a pightle tends to be associated with a house or messuage."

Which just leads me to another word I have never heard of!, ie messuage, about which Google says: noun. A house together with its land and outbuildings. The formal definition of a plot of land and all associated buildings and outbuildings is messuage.

Lunch at the White Horse, and, very nice it is too.

Tuesday, 7th May 2024.

 Home again

  

Waterpump CL - Badingham - Woodbridge - Suffolk - contd

 Thursday 2nd May 2024

A glorious day (long time since I said that), 21c, sunshine all day.

After yesterday's exertions, we sat in the sun and did absolutely nothing!

Friday 3rd May 2024

Well, that was bad planning!, we wake up to heavy rain, which the forecast says is going to last until 19:00, so, it looks like no cycling (or any outdoor activity) today.

Saturday, 4th May 2024

Back to fine weather, a gentle breeze, sunshine and 17c.

We have not ridden our bicycles for over six months, a combination of poor weather, and some health problems.

Today is the day to change all that, we start with a gentle peddle around the quiet lanes of Badingham Village, then, head for Framlingham.

A very pleasant lunch in Framlingham.

A total of just over 12 miles, perhaps a little ambitious for a first outing, there is some complaining about "lack of padding" from Kathleen.

But, after "refreshments" at The White Horse, Badingham, our spirits are restored

Waterpump CL - Badingham - Woodbridge - Suffolk

 Tuesday, 30th April 2024

Usual before photograph of our garden, but I am not anticipating that any "looking after" will be required, given the appalling weather we have been having, no warmth, no sunshine, nothing growing.

Off to an early start, at 07:00.

Drive for two hours / 100 miles approximately, and stop for breakfast (Ferrybridge Services).

The plan is another 100 miles / two hours and stop for lunch. This goes a little wrong, by the time we are due to. stop, we are on the A14. For well over twenty miles, every lay-by is closed for some reason.

Eventually, lunch is consumed in a grubby lay-by about 8 miles from Bury St Edmunds, not very quiet, or, scenic, but, at least. we ate!

Most of the route thus far has been motorway, or, good fast dual carriageway, and, traffic has been light, the usual problems with road works of course. 

Another 50 or so miles, first onto the A140 to join the A1120, then, a tedious drive along the A1120, before the approach to Waterpump CL, Woodbridge, Suffolk (N52.255426; E1.382165). 

WaterpumpCL initial impressions are very favourable, well organised, clean, tidy, as is so often the case with CLs the owner is not immediately unhand, but, there is a blackboard, with our names on it, showing us which pitch we are allocated, and, everything (water, EHU etc) is readily available, so, no problem. 

The owner (Sarah) came along in the evening to make sure all is well, and pass on useful local information, like, the route to the nearest pub. 

Wednesday 1st May 2024.

What an amazing nights sleep!, totally silent, and, with no street lights, really dark.

Much to my surprise, it is not raining, sunshine and 17c, almost tropical compared to what we have enjoyed(?) for the past few months.

The owner (Sarah) has provided maps of local walks, we decide to walk to Framlingham. the route is "cross country" mostly avoiding the road.

The plan is is walk there (4 miles approximately), explore, eat, and taxi or bus back.

There is plenty of evidence of recent rainfall, as the footpath sign, only just showing above the water shows, but, the actual path is generally dry, although, the grass is wet, and, some small muddy areas.

The path is reasonably clear to follow.

I detect Kathleen is not enjoying the walk, not sure if it because I have the instructions, so, I am "in charge", or, the fact that she has managed to get mud on her shoes.

The route brings us onto the B1120, eventually, Kathleen is happier once we are in "civilisation" so, instead of following the remains "across fields" route, we continue on the B1120, which is relatively traffic free, and, then, on a smaller lane.

Part of the reason for walking today is to "research" the local roads and lanes for future cycling outings. Based on what we have seen so far, Cycling looks like "a good idea".

There are certainly some very attractive properties here.

We arrive in Framlingham after approximately 4 miles of walking, more tired than we would expect, we are clearly no longer as fit as we used to be, due, in part no doubt, to our enforced "lay off".

A quick coffee to rejuvenate ourselves, then, we search out somewhere to eat,

The Crown Hotel provides a very pleasant lunch, in a very warm and sunny beer garden.

Suitably fed and watered (OK, OK wined and J2Od) we give some thought to getting back to Waterpump CL.

We actually find a bus stop, but, the next bus is not due for 3 hours!

Google provides two local taxi firms, but, neither have drivers available within an hour. Even Uber cannot provide a taxi.

So, we walk back, this time via the road (B1120) to arrive, a little exhausted, but, in one piece.

This means I have "over done it" today, but, to my surprise, left leg (which was the injured one) is fine, but, right knee is complaining! the perils of age!

Barn Owl Meadow CL (N52.305835, E0.985973), Suffolk, Contd....

Saturday, 30th April 2022

 Blue sky and sunshine!, 14C.

I make a solo errand of mercy to Rickinghall COOP, to buy pain killers for Kathleen's aching back.

I take the scenic route, which turns out to also be shorter at 7.26 miles there and back. Negotiating, crossing the main road (A143) is slightly more difficult, it is an offset cross roads, but, nothing too difficult.

Yet another Church, called St Mary's, but, this one is described as "redundant", the church yard looks a bit neglected, but, otherwise, it appears better looked after than some of the churches which are apparently "in use". 

A quick, solo,  "spin around the block, to get the last 3 miles needed for my 150 miles in a month target. Yes, I am sad.

Sunday, May 1st 2022

No sign of the overnight rain, which was forecast, but, the cloud is back, but a mild 13C.

Yesterday, enroute to Rickinghall, I spotted a signposted Cycle Route, which looked promising, and, which we (I) decide to do today..

Barn Owl Meadow CL - Wattisfield - Walsham - Barn Owl Meadow CL. Our target was to ride to Ixworth, but, the nicely signposted, and reasonable quality, cycle route petered out just short of Wattisfield, and, joined the busy A143. 

Since we don't have a death wish, we cut it short at Wattisfield and returned via Walsham-le-Willows. Video incomplete, I forgot to charge camera battery!

As we cycled along this morning, we kept getting what were probably drops of rain pattering against us. I told Kathleen they were flying insects, but, she insisted, it was rain. I suspect, she was right (isn't the woman always right?), because this afternoon, we get a couple of rain showers. 

Fortunate we did our cycling in the morning. 

We now have just over 9 miles "in the bag", for May's 150 mile target, we are actually ahead, for now.

St Margaret's Church, Wattisfield.

Monday, 2nd May 2022

Cloudy (again!), but, calm and mild (14C).

Our last day here, so, a little packing to do.

We have time for a Cycle ride to Rickinghall, making a circuit of it, there, via the B1113, and, return via the scenic route, along the small lanes.

Tuesday, 3rd May 2022

Home. An uneventful journey, except, it rained, and, a long hold up on A14, for no apparent reason.

Barn Owl Meadow CL (N52.305835, E0.985973), Suffolk, Contd....

 Thursday, 28th April 2022

Another cloudy day!, perhaps, we should have stayed in Norfolk. Being positive, it is not windy, and, it is not raining (yet).

After failing to find a shop, yesterday, we must try again today. It is even more urgent, today, we have run out of red wine.

We cycle to Rickinghall, where, Google tells me there is a COOP Supermarket.

The COOP is there, but, it is tucked away, down a small lane, with a signpost hidden by trees, so, we end up in the next village of Botesdale, before realising our (well, my) mistake. So, a round trip of 10.12 miles. Shopping done, and, now, we need just over 20 miles to complete the

monthly. 150 miles challenge.

There is a rather novel village sign, in a rather neglected and overgrown church yard.

On our return to Barn Owl Meadows, a fellow guest tells. us of a good pub/restaurant, called, "The Boar", but, he cannot remember the name of the village it is in, only that it is about 5 miles away. A task for me, and google, this afternoon.

Friday, 29th April 2022

Yet another cloudy day! According to the weather forecast we see each evening, the rest of the UK is basking under blue skies, and, there is a lump of cloud, sitting over East Anglia. At least it is not windy or wet (yet).

We decide to have lunch out. 

Absolutely no luck in finding a pub called "The Boar" within ten miles of us. 

The chap who told us about it has now left.

 Working on the basis that "Bull" sounds a bit like "Boar", and, his description of how to get there, I conclude, with the help of Google, that

he must have been talking about The Bull Inn, Bacton.

We cycle there, via the not too busy B1113, just over 5 miles. Have a very pleasant lunch, Moroccan Chicken Skewers for me, and Lamb Shank for Kathleen. All the more enjoyable because Kathleen decides to give her Debit Card an outing, and pays.

We return via the "scenic route" as recommended by Google Maps. It is quieter roads, but, a little further, so, we have 12.06 miles in total. The return journey is a bit of a slog, as we are stuffed with food, and, in y case, a pint of real ale.

Only ten more miles needed for my 150 miles in the month Challenge.

Time to move on, Barn Owl Meadows next

Tuesday, 26th April 2022

Today, we leave Norfolk Broads CAMC Site and head for Barn Owl Meadow CL (N52.305835, E0.985973), Suffolk.

Only approximately 50 miles to go, and we have a very leisurely morning, packing up etc, with arrival time at Barn Owl Meadow set at not before 12:00 lunchtime, there is nothing to be gained by rushing.

The place is easy to find, and is appears to be very well set up.

It also appears to be very rural. We have a brief stroll, to get our bearings, definitely no shop or pub within immediate walking distance, but, I think there should be within cycling distance.

Activity today limited to a short walk (2.19 miles), to get our bearings.

Wednesday, 27th April 2022

Dull and cloudy, only 9C, definitely the worst day, so far, weather wise. It even has a little shower, as I am unloading the bicycles.

By shortly after lunchtime, we decide it is OK to venture out for a little bicycle exploring.

The main objective is to find a shop, to replenish some supplies, not essential, today, which is just as well, because we didn't find a shop.

The village of Walsham-le-Willows looks promising, the village website describes is at a "vibrant village". 

Well, it may be "vibrant", but, it doesn't have a shop. 

It does have two pubs (one permanently closed, and two churches. 

The C of E church, St Mary's, is quite impressive, and, only 2-3 miles cycle ride from Barn Owl Meadows CL, but, the Sunday service is at 8:00am! I don't think that is going to work for Kathleen, although, I do offer to set the alarm for 06:30am.

We clock up just over 11 miles, we could have

made a circular route, but, chicken out at cycling along the A143, after watching the traffic speed by for a few minutes. We only have "the view from the rear", because I forgot to press record on the front facing camera.

Not uptown our usual 16-20 mile rides, but, another little bit towards our self-imposed 150 miles / month target, just slightly over 30 miles to go, to achieve the target.