Great Finborough Walk

"Friday 5th July will be a leisurely walk from Great Finborough of about 6-7 miles, heading towards Onehouse, crossing the golf-course and along the delightful Rattlesden River. There will be plenty of shade but no refreshment stops en route. We will meet at the car park by the children’s play area off Middlefield Drive (IP14 3AB) to start walking at 10 am. There will be a car share for those who wish from Skyliner Way Sports Centre leaving at 9:30 am.", said the invite from Joyce. But it was actually me leading again as Joyce was still on holiday... but guess who came along to join us? Yes, Joyce was back from her travels and came along as a walk member rather than the leader for a change.

This was our route...

Not quite as I recced it on Tuesday as we went across the wrong bridge in the golf course and added in an extra piece around OneHouse and through Northfield Wood, bringing us to a total distance of just over 8 miles.

Here are a few photos from our walk.

We met, as planned at the play park, which has some rather nice flowers.

Just 5 of us today so no need for a formal headcount and back-marker. Would what I had learned my ramblers walk leader workshop help today? But, fortunately, there was nobody who couldn't keep up, nobody in danger of falling into the water and no heart attacks, nobody throwing a strop and refusing to go any further and nobody stopping for a we and getting left behind today, unlike Sunday's roleplay.

The view of where we were heading for the first part of the walk.

The fields were looking very summery.

We saw plenty of scabious flowers. One of my favourites.

After a couple of miles we reached Brook Farm. The teashop was open today, but as noone seemed particularly keen, I decided not to stop there so early in the walk.





The Bygones Museum  has some interesting relics outside.

 We enjoyed seeing this old Massey-Fergusson tractor in action.

Then it was back down Purple Hill to the Rattlesden river, crossing this bridge...

...to Stowmarket Golf Course.

It is unusual to find a golf course with public footpaths running across it. We then went through the shady Finborough Wood and on towards OneHouse, passing OneHouse Hall, complete with duck house. No it's not the one infamously bought on expenses by a Tory MP.

We paused at the interesting OneHouse church for a drinks break.

Shortly afterwards we spotted the local heron I had seen at one of the OneHouse Hall lakes on Tuesday,

 I couldn't resist this photo opportunity. That's pretty golden, isn't it?

We passed some Lime trees on flower. Lovely fragrance. Ann told us how she loved tea made from the flowers. Also known as Linden Tea it is known as a "healing nectar". Is it any help for sore feet, I wonder?

Alas the Lakeside Cafe is no longer a going concern, but, as we had done an extra mile or too,  we were able to pause for refreshments at the Shepherd and Dog a it opened at 12.

 

From here it was only about 2 miles back along the Rattlesden River...

...and across the golf course again, past Finborough School and the church. Quite an impressive tower, which was the icon of our walk, being visible for a lot of it.

We passed back through the village. Look at those chimneys!

...to our starting point with its lovely flowers.

A lovely leisurely walk on a lovely sunny day. Thanks to all for joining me!

You can see more of my photos here on Flickr and more details of our route here on MapMyWalk.