U3A Walks from Clare

Today was the first Thursday of the month and the day for the USA Bury St. Emunds Longer Walks group monthly walk. It was Andrea's turn to lead us this month.

 Here is her invite...

"I've come up with a walk for August which is a figure of eight walk from Clare totalling approximately 11.5 miles.  The first stage (7 miles) is a circular walk from Clare to Cavendish and back, and the second stage is on to Chilton Street and back to Clare.

I'm aiming for the lunch stop to be in Clare at the end of the first stage.  This gives an opportunity for anyone who wishes (if it is very hot, etc) to end the walk there.  For all those carrying on to the second stage they will be rewarded at the end with the opportunity to visit the Trading Post cafe in Clare for tea and cakes!

Please meet at the Clare Playing Fields (address: Clare Playing Fields, Harp Lane, off Cavendish Road, Clare CO10 8PJ). As you turn into Harp Lane the playing fields are on the left and free parking is along the side of the pitch.  I aim to set off at 9.30."

We had a good turnout of  10 on the walk, despite the holiday season.

These were our routes...

a.m.

p.m.

Here are a few of my photos.

Assembled at the start. The morning route was very familiar having done it both ways several times. I led it myself on another hot summers day last year (see here).

We started by visiting the country park and the toilets.

It was another warm day and the landscape is looking parched.

We met these sheep by the river in Cavendish....

...and harvested some tasty apples from the tree by the path.

We stopped for drinks in Cavendish.

The route back was on the Suffolk side of the Stour.

We found some shade in the Country Park for our lunch.

It was a bit cooler by the river.

Our afternoon drinks stop.

We passed the picturesque ruins of Chilton Street Mill,

Shortly afterwards we surprised a deer.

I loved these artichoke flowers in a garden we passed.

Soon we were back in Clare.

I had to dash off to prepare for our Scottish holiday (q.v.) so missed the tea and cakes after. They were well earned after the walks in the sun. 

Two lovely walks, Thank-you Andrea for leading us, and the others of the company.

You can see more of my photos here on Flickr and more details of our routes here (a.m.) and here (p.m.) on MapMyWalk.