Text contributed by Lisa; pics by Carolyn and Lisa.
Another first for me – in my three and a half year history of IOG walks, I have never had to wear full waterproofs all day for two consecutive days…until this weekend!
Considering the awful weather forecast for Saturday, it was a surprise to find 16 of us meeting John in Woodbridge to enjoy a 9ish-mile circular walk through countryside interspersed with urban areas. We admired the large houses of Kyson Point and Broom Heath and passed Seckford Hall.
Hasketon Church provided a tranquil lunch stop with an extremely tame robin for entertainment. Returning to Woodbridge via Bredfield brought us to the Mariners Arms, where thankfully they politely ignored our muddy boots and soaking gear.
Sunday morning brought another rainy forecast, with the added excitement of predicted 40mph winds courtesy of Storm Ashley. However, undeterred,18 of us met Ian in Gislingham for an 8-mile walk. Ian led us past the Grade I listed Church of St Mary the Virgin, along rural lanes and across muddy fields.
The figure-of-8 configuration gave some people the option of bailing out, I mean, shortening their walk and heading home, at the halfway point. The rest of us sheltered behind the village hall for lunch before setting off again for a further 4 miles through the autumnal landscape.
In his 1973 book A Coast to Coast Walk, Alfred Wainwright wrote “there’s no such thing as bad weather, only unsuitable clothing.” Well, Mr Wainwright, I concur; in my waterproofs I was warm, dry and perfectly happy all weekend.