Day 9 – Wednesday 29 December 1999 - Hollesley to Woodbridge

14 miles walked today

129 miles walked in total (average 14.33)

I always knew today would be difficult – too much sitting around, eating and drinking for the past month.  Not to mention the disaster with my knee and a nasty flu bug to top it all off.

However, today I started off with new boots, new knee support and new gloves – ready for anything.

It was still dark as I set out from Mum and Dad’s to drive to Suffolk.  Because of the distance and the icy roads, I didn’t get walking until quarter to eleven, which doesn’t suit me at all.  I like to get most of my miles done in the morning so I can have a leisurely afternoon.

As I was admiring the view across to Felixstowe Ferry from Bawdsey Quay, a fisherman came to ask if I wanted to go across.  If I did, all I needed to do was wave across the estuary and the ferryman would come and get me.  How very civilised!

It was a very crisp, but sunny day.  Most of the ponds and puddles I saw were iced over.

I walked some of the way through Bawdsey with the Church Warden who apparently is a keen walker, although usually in the Lake District.  I told her about my harebrained scheme and she wished me luck.  Think I’ll need it!  Before I left her, she told me the best pubs in the area to have lunch.  I disregarded her advice totally and made for the Ramsholt Arms as recommended by Pippa from work.

Saw more deer this afternoon on Sutton Heath.  It was very bleak and cold walking across the heath, made worse by the sun going down at an alarming rate.  Started to panic that I wouldn’t make my goal of Woodbridge in daylight.

Having spent many a happy hour getting lost while driving around Woodbridge the last time I was up here, I was surprised to see the town looming up soon after leaving the heath.  I’d discovered another route in!