With European cycling holidays cancelled again this year, (Covid), John and I had been to Norfolk instead in mid July, and had a great time exploring the area. It was all organised by a Company called Cycle Breaks, who planned all of our routes, offered the back up of a van, and also transferred our luggage between hotels. They also offer holidays in Suffolk, where they are based.
At 7am, Daphne and her bike were dropped off by Alan, and by 7.15 we collected Gill and her bike too, all loaded into my van. Poor Daphne had a hacking cough and a cold which was to hang around for the next few days. 😟
Our journey to join the M25 was surprisingly quiet and our eta to Suffolk was 10.30. That was too easy. Could have stayed in bed! It was only 9 degrees and during the last 30 mins of our journey, it started to rain. My worst nightmare had been to arrive in rain, knowing that we had to peddle at least 20 miles on the shortest route, to our first hotel.
(We were leaving the van at Cycle Breaks depot, at Alder Car Farmshop, Nr Needham Market, where we changed into our cycle gear.)
But luck was on our side, the rain stopped, and after the most enormous breakfast at the farm cafe, (Daphne suggested we wrap up the surplus sausages), and now changed into cycling clothes, we were almost ready to go. We were given excellent printed route info by Andy of Cycle Breaks, having previously been sent GPX routes a week before. But at this 11th hour Daphne realised she had not transferred the routes to her Garmin. Never mind, Gill and I were organised 😁.
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| Fueled up... and ready to go. Who needs 3 saugages, 3 bacons, and 3 eggs! |
Today's ride was from Needham Market heading north to Rickinghall, (into the north wind), and since we had arrived earlier than anticipated, we opted for the route of around 33 miles. Within just a few minutes, a "steep climb out of the Gipping Valley" warmed us up. After just 5 miles my Garmin froze so the route guidance was now down to Gill and her Wahoo!
Daphne's brand new cassette and chain was not behaving itself, and she was not able to change to the big cog. She was fine on the uphills, but not so efficient on the downhills. We were off to a good start😏.
We passed through the Hamlets of Broad Green, Forward Green, Middlewood Green and Mendlesham Green, where we spotted some pumpkins in an allotment and detoured down the gravel drive. We had hoped to spot some fields of pumpkins, but realised that they had already been harvested. We did see several fields of dried sunflowers on our travels.
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| Allotments nr. Mendlesham Green |
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| Rain clouds clearing? |
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| Church at Cotton, at 9 miles. Not the most favourable light today. |
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| St. Andrew's Parish Church, Cotton, where we turn left. |
Now we headed to Thornham Magna, where we detoured to visit the Walled Garden within the Estate. Unfortunately, they were not open to the public today, since they had some work experience going on, but we continued around the edges, in search of the Pet Graves, and also found these interesting carvings.
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| Thornham Estate |
A dogwalker was a magnet for Daphne, and she mentioned the problem with her bike.By chance, he knew about bikes. What luck! Except that after a few minutes all that hetold us was what we already knew. Her big cog wasn't engaging. Brilliant. 😂
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The dogwalker, taking a look at Daphne's problem bike.
(sorry rain blob on the Go Pro lens) |
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| Photo by Daphne near the Pet Cemetery |
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Reflections of Anne...by Daphne
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Passing through further Hamlets, our journey now headed to Mellis, to cross the railway.
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| Very typical of the cottage colours on our routes. |
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| Gill spotted deer in the field |
After 18 miles, at Wortham, we spotted a cafe on the side of the road, as we were about to dogleg across the A413. A refreshing cuppa, and since no one fancied the "spare breakfast sausages", instead of cake, I suggest leaving them behind at this point. They were wrapped in paper napkins, but Gill was worried in case the staff might think "what on earth are these!". lol. We took them with us to dispose of elsewhere.😂
We checked on Google for bike repair shops in the area, and found that there was one listed in the nearby town of Diss. Day one, and if we could get Daphne's bike fixed, it would be good. Our short detour, took us through beautiful terrain, like a heath land, called Wortham Ling, and then over the river Waveney, which is the border into Norfolk.
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| Diss centre in search of the bike shop. |
Daphne's "Damsel in distress" tactics worked a treat, and soon her bike was on the stand and 15 mins later was sorted. But when she asked how much, the owner insisted NO charge. You are in Suffolk now. Very nice man.
We backtracked to join the planned route, and the sky turned blue! We passed a noisy quacking lorry at Gressingham Duck factory, and soon stopped to remove a layer of clothing.
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| Woopee. Late afternoon sunshine! |
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| Just don't look behind you! Keep peddling. |
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We were on the edge of the rain cloud. We spotted a giant rabbit on the horizon.
Need to squint 😁 |
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Just a couple of miles to go, and through Hinderclay area,
gentle rolling landscape. |
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| Uphill as we arrive in Rickinghall |
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Our hotel. The Bell Inn.
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Bikes in the shed, luggage already arrived and time for a beer! After showers, dinner at 7pm. We all opted for the lamb with filo pastry and all knackered, headed for bed at 9pm😂
Thursday 7th October - Rickinghall to Woodbridge - Day 2
Lovely breakfast to set us up for a few hours and what a different a day makes to the weather.
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| Photo by Gill. Setting off Day 2 and blue skies. |
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| Some leg stretches enroute to Worham |
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In the opposite direction from yesterday through Mollis
to cross the railway line again.
A few miles on and we crossed the A140, using a cycle path, now heading for Eye. |
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We later learned that this crop is Sugarbeet. (look like turnips when harvested)
And wind farming is the latest thing here too. |
We did a little loop around the centre of Eye, and found a chemist for a new pad for Daphne's gloves. Then on to take a look at the impressive church. The church door was closed, but a lady who would be flower arranging, said to come back in a few minutes. Meantime, we climbed up to the Castle ruins.
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| Eye church |
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Photo by Gill. The wonky building next to the church.
Very decorative.
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| photo by Daphne. We talked to the owner of this unusual trolley |
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| Top of the world at Eye Castle |
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view from the castle
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| Norman Motte and Bailey Castle ruins. |
Then back down to the now open church.
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| Gill with the flower lady |
A quick drink and snackbar in the sunshine and we were now on our way to Bedfield, with this pretty cottage in the village.
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| photo by Daphne |
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| On our way to Framlingham |
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| Daphne on her way to get a closer look at Saxted Green Post Mill |
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| Tracks to move the sails into position. |
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| Just because. |
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Framlingham with it's decorative town Signpost.
We saw similar in many villages. |
A quick circuit of the town, then we dropped down the hill to find the entrance to the Framlingham church, in search of the tomb of Henry VIII's illegitimate son, Henry Fitzroy.
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| Framlingham Church |
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| Henry Fitzroy's Tomb |
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| Framlingham church |
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| Arts and Crafts style of seating |
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| Amazing decoration above the arches |
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| Back to back bench. Very unusual |
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| The Christening Font being well used. |
We were now on our way to pass through Kettleburgh, Dallinghoo, and Bredfield and join National Cycle Route 1.
We decided to detour into Woodbridge, in search of a cuppa, and a local lady recommended the Strawberry Cafe.... so off we went in search of it. It was right in the centre. Almost there, and with a bit of uphill to the finish, we screech to a halt, not wishing to argue with what is coming towards us!
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| After you! |
A undulating finish to our ride, which we would get to know over the next couple of days. We arrived at very impressive hotel, Seckford Lodge at around 5pm. Our only disappointment, that the pool is currently not in use.
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| Seckford Lodge nr Woodbridge. Not too shabby😉 |
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| selfie by Daphne |
G&T's, Lovely meal, and bed at 9pm.
Friday 8th October - Woodbridge to Felixstowe - Day 3
A misty morning and I was out with my camera around the hotel grounds before breakfast, but it disappeared. As we left the mist was back, so a damp start but very mild and no wind to blow away the mist.
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| A misty start. More piles of Sugarbeet in the field |
Our route on very quiet lanes, passed Little Bealings, and Martlesham before dropping down to Waldingfield on Sandy Lane, which was aptly named. There was quite a lot of sand on the road, and a few "wey hey's" as the tyres slowed.
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| heading downhill on Waldingfield Road, towards Sandy Lane |
The point of heading downhill here, was to see the River Deben. There was a wharf here and a pub too. We weren't ready for a drink at this stage, so after a few minutes, climbed away from the riverside. (but we would be back later.... we just didn't know that at this point.😂)
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| River Deben at Waldingfield. A bit gloomy still. |
We were heading to Felixstowe, and the terrain today was quite different, with more trees and tree tunnels, and possibly more undulations. We stopped to watch an enormous combine harvester, lifting the sugarbeet. We later saw fields of Asparagus.... definitely a first.
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| photo by Daphne |
We used a cycle path to take us safely over the A14 near Trimly St Martin, and then a busier road section as we road on a long straight road into Trimley, which is next to Felistowe. But then a left turn and we were suddenly in the countryside, and some lovely lanes at Gulpher.
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| Gulpher, and our approach to Old Felixstowe |
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| Gulpher Lane |
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| Gulpher Lane |
Our approach to Old Felixstow was very impressive, passing a golf course, and our route would come back to this point later, after we had gone into town as far as the pier. We saw a sign for Cycle Route 51. which pointed to the sea defence walls.... so down we went. Great surface to cycle on, but it came to an abrupt end!
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| photo by Daphne |
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| Taken by a passerby. At Old Felixstowe |
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| Once the path "ran out", we had no option but to climb some steps. |
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| Back on the now "offical" cycle route on the pedestrian/cycle way into Felixstowe |
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| Selfie by Daphne |
We spotted a nice cafe for lunch, but were approached by a couple of ladies who asked if we would mind assisting with checking some bike racks?
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Testing the positioning of the bike racks in preparation
of the Ladies Tour of Britain, ending here tomorrow. |
At this very moment I realised I had a puncture!! Since I haven't had a puncture for months, I had practiced at home just last week. I can do this!
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photo by Gill.
sorted in 10 mins. The girls were very impressed😂 |
We had a very tasty lunch on the pier.
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| Tacos, Garlic Prawns, and a fish sandwich. All very nicely cooked. |
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| A very tranquil day |
Having sorted my puncture, a quick visit to a Bike shop, to borrow their pump to get more air in the tyre, then we backtracked a mile or so to catch the ferry, passing the Marcello towers.
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| on our way to catch the little ferry just beyond the Marcello towers |
Then disaster.... a second puncture. Another even quicker fix, except that the valve then flew off and all the air came out. Tried again, but valve knackered. I had to use Gill's spare, as that was my 2 gone! Then to add insult to injury, we learned that the ferry stopped running mid week from 1st October! (This is Friday). We had checked the website, which said that it ran all week until the END of October.
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| Round 2! |
A Local suggested an alternative route rather than backtrack the way we had come this morning. "Yeah.....Good path alongside the river he promised." Wrong! Hard work for a good few miles but very pretty and loads of wildlife, Herons and Eagrets.
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| photo by Gill. this hard surface soon turned to grass |
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| At times, the dyke went away from river, then back again. |
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| Novelty beginning to wear off as we bump around on the grass " path" |
We found a way off the dyke after a few miles, but then soon ended up back where we started. Gill, our chief navigator, was very apologetic. 😅 Never mind, she said "Follow me" and in no time we were heading into THIS!
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| Gill's sense of adventure is different to mine. When is the tide coming in!! |
We found our way out eventually, and in desperate need of a cuppa, headed back to the pub we had found in the morning by the riverside in Waldringfield. The Maybush.
A few more hills to get back to Seckford Lodge just in time before dark at 6pm. Daphne had been carrying a bottle of Proseco in her luggage, and faking a dodgy knee to get ice from the bar, we met in her room before dinner to celebrate our survival of another day. The restaurant had a great menu, including starters of Torched Mackerel, "Carrot", (well it was more than that in reality), Pea Panacotta with crab, and mains of Sea Bass, Artichove Ravioli, Lamb Kofta and Mushroom stuffed chicken. We ate really well over the two night stay here, and no pudding! Didn't we do well. 😇
Saturday 9th October - Woodbridge to Market Needham Day 4
A beautiful sunny start on this, our last day and a few photos before we left our hotel.
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| From my bedroom window. |
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| The final leg of our tour begins |
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| A little misty still as we look back from a climb |
A shorter route today back to base of just 17 miles, passing through Grundisburgh, and Gibraltar.
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| Grundisburgh |
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Grundisburgh, with a "splash" pool to the left, like a ford.
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Beautiful rolling countryside entroute to Gibraltar
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| Sugarbeet. A regular siting. |
We dropped downhill steeply to the A140, which was very wide, and not at all busy. A climb up again over a couple of miles, out of the Gipping Valley, and at the top we took a fork to use National Cycle Route 51 to take us over the A14.
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| A short section on NCR 51, gets us over the A14. |
Once across, and still on a very quiet lane, I set up the GO PRO on a mini tripod, and for the only time on our travels, capture all 3 of us riding together.
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| Ready, steady... all together now.... GO |
Now a short sharp uphill, on a gravel track and for the only time over the 4 days, Daphne and I get off to push since the sand and gravel made it really hard to stay on! Gill with lower gearing made it in one.
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We are heading up to the top, just around the corner
on gravel and sand |
We finished on a downhill back to the start and to liase with our luggage once more. We got back a little before our luggage, and time for a cuppa and scones at the farmshop.
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| Mike from Cycle Breaks transferring our luggage. |
Rather than drive home, we had planned a trip to Bressingham Gardens, near Diss, where we spent a lovely couple of hours enjoying the empty gardens of 17 acres, as well as the Steam Museum. I had been once many years ago, so it was lovely to revisit in a different season.
Great fun ladies. Thanks so much for joining me on our adventure. And thanks to Gill for this lovely card.. Not sure which one is me 😂
