As it was a Friday I would be able to go, so I let her know I was coming and met up with her and 4 other walkers at our rendezvous point with a packed lunch and plenty of liquid. It was indeed sunny and going to be a hot day. This was our route...
We didn't start directly on the St. Edmunds Way, but went past Hardwick Middle School and across the fields of juicy looking peas to join it.
Sadly, in places, we were bereft of waymarking signs and had to rely on our map-reading to find the way. But here was a nice reminder of the great work of the Bury Ramblers in establishing the route.
We passed many interesting buildings along the way. I rather liked the animals cavorting on this thatched roof.
In the distance we could see some poplars.
There were plenty of wild flowers and butterflies brightening up the somewhat parched landscape. Poppies, Scabious and Bellbind (both pink and white).
And even some Scarlet Pimpernel...
An hour or so into our walk we approached Sicklesmere...
...and our first stop for refreshments, at the Rushbrooke Arms.
Onwards we went. The fields were looking rather summery...
We passed by, but didn't stop at, Stanningfield Church.
and stopped about 20 minutes later for our lunch. So where were we? Joyce was studying the map....
We were supposed to be near a moat. And we were! Just behind that greenery...
Eventually we got close to some of those poplars...
We started heading East and across the main road. We were feeling a bit hot and slightly weary by now, but then a welcome site appeared...
Lavenham Church in the distance. But we still had to make our way through some ripening rape seed...
..before reaching our walk's end after 14.8 miles.
...and a bus back to Bury St. Edmunds.
Thanks, Joyce, for a great walk, and thanks too to our fellow walkers for their companionship! You can see details of our route here and a more of my photos on Flickr.
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