Today it was Karen's turn to lead a walk for Joyce's Weekly Walks.
This was the invite.
"The week of 23rd Feb I am going to lead a walk (probably in the Wortham, Burgate and Mellis area). I propose to offer the longer walk on Wednesday (25) and
Friday (27) Wednesday is the better day but happy to do Friday too as
I know that suited others better. If anyone wants to come along and take the shorter route
please feel welcome. I’m hoping we can all fit in at the Memorial Hall car
park just north of the level crossing on the right. If not there are a few
spaces elsewhere which I shall find WhatsApp locations for in due course. Prompt 10am start please. Bring a packed lunch as I plan on eating in Gislingham
church (with loo). There will be an elevensies stop at Wortham cafe should
you wish a hot drink and a scone etc. (2 loo’s!!). I’m hoping to finish at 3.30."
This was our route, going anti-clockwise.
Here are some of my photos.
We met at the Memorial Hall opposite The Mill in Mellis. There was just enough room in the car park for our cars. I was outnumbered 6-1 by ladies in the group today.
We were soon out in the countryside. We saw plenty of hares also enjoying the sunshine today.
Approaching Wortham, we came across some nice snowdrops.
Our coffee stop was at the
Wortham Tea Shop. It was warm enough to sit outside and we even saw a butterfly.
Off we go again passing more snowdrops.
Karen brought us here to see this in particular... As Simon Knott explains.. "
[There is a] quite extraordinary side altar set against the north wall of the chancel. It is a shrine, a chapel of remembrance to those named on the memorial in the porch. It is the work of the Reverend Appleyard, who came here in 1919, and who was largely responsible for the Anglo-catholic makeover that this place received, and from which it has never really recovered. The thing that makes it remarkable is that all the candlesticks and furnishings are made out of shell-cases, supposedly by soldiers in a field hospital in Flanders where Appleyard was chaplain. He built the altar itself, which is set in the entrance to a former chapel, not an Easter sepulchre, as several guides suggest. If you look just behind it to the east, you'll see his helmet. Another remarkable feature of the altar is that, as well as naming the local lads who were slaughtered in northern France, it also carries the names of the two medieval de Burgates. And, as if that was not enough, St Edmund, King and Martyr. I suppose that they all died in battle of a kind. The little figure of the French Saint Bernadette was also presumably brought back from the killing fields."
We also enjoyed seeing the impressive brasses. We had to remove the cover protecting it from bat droppings to see this one. As Simon tells us... "
The most striking feature is the tomb of William de Burgate and his wife Alianora. This stands lengthwise on, directly in front of the altar. On top of it sits one of Suffolk's three finest brasses (the others are at nearby Redgrave and far-off Acton). William died on the vigil of St James the Apostle 1409, and Alionora died - well, we don't know. Her date has been left blank, a not uncommon occurrence. It is an awesome piece, and the whole building revolves around it. "
We also admitred the roof.
Leaving the churchyard we saw some cheerful daffodils. Yes, March is just around the corner.
We saw some colourful crocuses too.
We passed a few deer today. This was the biggest group.
It was sunny throughout our walk and the paths were mostly fine.
A low-flying aircraft flew almost overhead.
We were on familiar territory now. We passed the Gislingham Silver Band hut here on our
Bacton Walk just a few weeks back.
I asked
CharGPT to describe the photo. This is what it said...
"The photo shows a large, traditional two-story house set behind a low brick wall. The house is painted a soft peach or salmon color, with dark trim outlining the roof edges and window frames. The roof is steeply pitched and covered in weathered brownish tiles, with visible moss or age discoloration. Two substantial red-brick chimneys rise from the roof—one near the center and another slightly to the left—both rectangular and prominent against the blue sky.
The architecture appears classic and somewhat historic, possibly English cottage style. On the upper floor, there are multiple small-paned windows with black or dark frames. A central dormer window projects from the roof, with a triangular gable and matching dark trim. On the right side, a large front-facing gable extends down to the second story, giving the house an asymmetrical yet balanced appearance.
The ground floor features several rectangular windows with grid-patterned panes. A dark doorway sits slightly left of center, partially open, revealing a glimpse of the interior. Near the entrance, there appears to be a wheelie bin and possibly a small chair or garden item.
In the foreground, a low red-brick wall runs horizontally across the image. The wall has a decorative brick pattern along the top and shows signs of age, with patches of white lichen or weather staining scattered across its surface.
Behind the wall is a neatly kept front garden with green grass and several pruned trees. Some trees have been cut back heavily, leaving short, thick branches. On the far right side of the garden, thin, leafless branches arch downward, possibly from a small ornamental tree. On the left side, taller trees and shrubs partially frame the house.
The sky above is clear and bright blue, suggesting a sunny day. The lighting casts soft shadows, highlighting the texture of the brick, stucco walls, and roof tiles. Overall, the scene conveys a quiet, residential, countryside atmosphere with a well-maintained yet aged character."
Interesting.
I liked these little narcissi in the pots outside the church entrance.
We headed east from Gislingham on some pleasant paths, including some of the
Thornham Walks. Before that, we crossed the main railway line to Norwaich here.
We re-crossed the railway line to Norwich....
...and were soon back at Mellis via the rather soggy Mellis Common Nature Reserve where my walking shoes finally got wet.
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