Nature through the eyes of my camera

Sunday 15th September - 2 miles - Route taken: via beach. Time 1 hour Today was my penultimate walk from Benacre to Covehithe. A short walk before a longer one tomorrow. I was dropped off where I finished my Kessingland - Benacre walk. The drop from the collapsed road to the beach was steeper than I had anticipated but with my hands free and some careful foot placements I reached the beach fine. The tide was on its way out as I walked along a pristine beach in a silent world except for the gentle waves breaking onto the sandy shore. It was clear to see just how much damage had been caused by excessive storms and high tides. The cliffs were crumbling and vegetation and trees were being lost to the sea and and erosion. Even the pill box had found a new view point. (for aquatic life only now). I was in a happy place as I strolled along, (not another human being in sight), knowing I was nearly at the end of this adventure. As I approached the Benacre nature reserve I caught my first glimps...

Monday 16th September.  Distance3.15 miles Route taken: via beach and cliffs - Time 2hrs 18mins After a night spent in a lovely hotel in Beccles, beside the River Waveney we made our way back to Covehithe to begin my final journey on my Suffolk Coastal Path walk. My husband dropped me off near the church then journey onto Southwold where he would begin his walk to meet me. It was a beautiful morning as I walked across the fields. On my right instead of rows of houses there were rows and rows of pig sties.  I followed the track round until I could see the sea. At this point there was a way down, but too steep for me.  I walked on a little further until I found a suitable place to climb down. I looked back along the beach where I had walked the day before. I thought how far I had come since those first walks way back in March. The start of this walk was very much a continuation of yesterdays except there were more people, and their dogs about. I hadn't gone far before I enc...

 Tuesday 18th May Distance 1.5 miles  Coastal. (Time taken 55mins) A save journey across the Blyth on a bright, breezy morning and I was in Southwold harbour. There was plenty of fishing gear around and huts that were selling fresh fish. On the other side of the sea defense wall that I was walking along, (trying to keep free from the mud) the reeds were whispering to each other while birds flitted amongst them, trilling as they went. I stood and watched and listened for a while to the sound of nature before heading to the dunes. From the top of the dunes, Southwold lighthouse and church loomed in the distance. The waves could be heard crashing down on the shore and dogs could be heard yapping as they chased each other around.  After a while I dropped down onto the beach and onto firmer sand. The sky appeared huge from here as the storm clouds gathered. Occasionally the sun would put in an appearance and the beach huts and the lighthouse would become luminous. As I neared ...

Friday 30th August - 4.0 miles. Route Taken: Dunwich Village, Dunwich Forest, Sandy Road Covert, Westwood Marshes, Walberswick. Time Taken 2.15hours My walk today started in the car park behind the beach where a cafe sits which sells some of the best fresh fish and chips. (To early for those today). From here I walked a short distance before turning right passing the Ship Inn, the museum and St James church. St James church was built in the 19th century after all the other churches in Dunwich had succumbed to the sea.  Continuing on the road I turned right, off the road passing a large converted barn and some farm buildings. I was glad I had the coastal walk mapped out on my phone as there appeared to be a lack of Suffolk Coastal Path signs to follow. I went passed Sole Bay Lodge and Little Dingle Cottages before entering Dunwich Forest. It was quiet here after the business of Dunwich. Birds could be heard twittering in the bushes and trees, butterflies were fluttering about collec...

(Friday 24th May Distance 2miles plus 2miles back. Coastal and heath. (Time Taken 2 hours)  The buzz from the car park soon disappeared as I made my way up the hill towards Greyfriars 13th century, medieval friary. Very little of the friary remains today, but standing quietly along side the perimeter wall I could feel a sense of peace which I'm sure must have existed in this community all those years ago. Dunwich is known as the 'lost city of England' having once been a thriving medieval port. Storm surges causing coastal erosion in 1286 and again in 1287 washed away much of the harbour, buildings and land. The last building to fall into the sea was All Saints Church and now all that remains is one grave stone belonging to Jacob Forster. Standing atop of the cliffs looking out to sea on a calm day, it is hard to imagine a once thriving port below, bustling with people, loading and unloading cargo from the boats, and fishermen landing their catch for the day. Skirting the pe...

(Tuesday 21st May. Distance 1.5miles plus 1.5miles back. Route taken: Coastal and heath. Time Taken 1.50 minutes) It had been a while since my last walk and I was really looking forward to doing another stretch. As there wasn't any parking where I finished last time I started my walk from Dunwich Heath and walked back towards Sizewell. I walked this stretch with my husband and we hoped to walk to Sizewell and back before any rain set in. Leaving the coast guard cottages we headed for the coastal path. The waves could be heard crashing down on the shingle and the many birds could be seen and heard flitting from the shrubs and bushes. The day was warm and it was a joy to be walking among the wonders of nature.  It wasn't long before we were on familiar territory as we walked along the outskirts of Minsmere Nature Reserve.  The raucous call of the gulls and the cry of the common terns was unmistakable, all squabbling over territory.  I was surprised to find a large, perfect ...