Walks

The far north

These two walks are in the far north of Suffolk - on the narrow finger of the county that teases Great Yarmouth with hints of annexation.

Distance: 7.09 miles
Ascent: 172 metres
Duration: 1 hour 57 minutes

Walk 18: Somerleyton and Waddling Lane

If you're after a walk round an English estate village you'd be hard pushed to beat this amble round Somerleyton. The hall and gardens are suitably grand, but better still is the village centre: uniform cottages arranged around a water pump and village green. The green doubles as the playing field for the stunning thatched Primary School.

After a circuit of Somerleyton Hall's gardens the walk heads south, then west along Waddling Lane - a beautiful green lane that roughly follows the River Waveney.

Dragonflies abounded today. They were the main feature of both walks. Presumably they flourish on the nearby Broads, heading inland a little to serve as a tourist attraction.

Distance: 3.23 miles
Ascent: 40 metres
Duration: 59 minutes

Walk 1: Carlton Marshes and the River Waveney

Just the other side of Oulton Broad this short walk rounds the wildlife reserve at Carlton Marshes. The marshes are probably a bird-watcher's paradise, but personally I found them rather boring and flat.

They did teach me one lesson though. I was amazed by the sight of this caterpillar, certain I'd come across something rare. What's this caterpillar? put me in my place. The Emperor Moth is apparently widespread in the UK.

So this evening I'm thinking about the wonders of pupation. (Remember learning about it as a child? It seemed so improbable then. It seems just the same now.) And I've committed to opening my eyes just a little more when I go walking in the future.