March

Saturday, 1st March 2008 Dennington - Framlingham Start 10.30am, Distance 6miles Meet and park 10.10am to pre-order food at "The Queens Head", Free House, Dennington. Walk features a mixture of open countryside and passing through grounds of the historic castle in Framlingham. We shall return to the pub for lunch at approximately 1pm. Use www.multimap.co.uk to assist in finding pub. Pub post code is IP13 8AB. Post Event Review A strong wind persisted throughout this walk but the weather remained dry with about average temperatures and sunny periods. Ground conditions were a bit muddy near the castle, otherwise going was good-to-firm. Jon, the landlord had prepared a scaled down version of the pub menu, which for some people was a bit too limited, whilst others were more than content with what was on offer - you can't please them all, can you! The food was well-prepared, served efficiently with no real noticeable delays. I can thoroughly recommend the Winter Casserole - warming and tasty on a winter's day. The other choices looked generous and appealing too. Beer - well looked after and held at a very drinkable temperature. Well done Jon and thank you and your staff for making our day an enjoyable one. We will return in the future.

Saturday, 8th March 2008 Holbrook - Stutton Start 10.30am, Distance 5miles Meet and park 10.10am to pre-order food at "The Compasses Inn", Holbrook. This route takes in some great views of the Stour at Holbrook Creek, passing by the Royal Hospital School and later Alton water Reservoir before returning to the pub for lunch at approximately 12.45pm. Use www.multimap.co.uk to assist in finding pub. Pub post code is IP9 2QR. Post Event Review The forecast threat of rain never materialised, so a dry walk but with just a few bright intervals. Ground conditions were very firm with no mud. Many favourable comments about this varied walk providing a variety of different views plus new-seasons lambs and an abundance of daffodils. Rick, Jayne and staff at The Compasses provided us with some very tasty, nicely presented and very reasonably priced food - the roast beef dinner was absolutely delicious! Thank you to all concerned for making our visit such an enjoyable one.

Saturday, 15th March 2008 Hollesley - Boyton Start 10.30am, Distance 5.5miles Meet and park 10.10am to pre-order food at "The Shepherd & Dog", Public House, Hollesley. Almost half of this walk takes place in the southern section of the beautiful Rendlesham Forest. On previous occasions large herds of deer were seen in the forest. Returning to the pub for lunch at approximately 12.45pm. Use www.multimap.co.uk to assist in finding pub. Pub post code is IP12 3QU. Post Event Review Once again, we managed a walk without any rain, albeit the weather was mostly cloudy but dry with conditions under foot dry and firm. Hollesley has had a long association with Suffolk Punch Horses, a number of which were seen on our walk today. Large numbers of deer were also observed in the forest. Food at the pub was good and very reasonably priced. Many thanks to Ray, partner and staff for an enjoyable lunchtime - we shall return..

GOOD FRIDAY, 21st March 2008 Stutton - Brantham Start 10.30am, Distance 5miles Meet and park 10.10am to pre-order food at "The Gardeners Arms", Public House, Stutton. Walk includes meadows, woodlands and a stretch by the peaceful River Stour. We shall return to the pub for lunch at approximately 12.45pm. Use www.multimap.co.uk to assist in finding pub. Pub post code is IP9 2TG. Post Event Review All bar a few spots of rain, the weather remained dry throughout but with a strong, cold wind. A very good attendance with a large group dining afterwards at the pub. Conditions underfoot were generally firm with just a few short muddy sections. Bob, Chris and staff served us well and promptly at the pub. An excellent choice of home cooked, reasonably priced food from a varied menu. I can particularly recommend the spicy chicken curry with rice, Nan bread and mango chutney - yum!!! A couple of interesting guest ales on offer as well. Many thanks to all concerned, we shall return.

Saturday, 22nd March 2008 Gt. Blakenham - L.Blakenham - Bramford Start 10.15am, Distance 7.5miles NEW ROUTE A SPECIAL WALK FOR EASTER Meet and park 9.55am to pre-order food at "The Chequers Inn", Great Blakenham ("GO's" most popular host pub). This really stunning new route, featuring aspects of the Gipping Valley not previously seen on any "GO" walk in this area. there is not a single arable field to cross; virtually no road walking - it's mostly meadows, tracks, picturesque footpaths and a nearly 3 mile superb section of river path by the Gipping. there is even a hint of Gordale Scar! What more could you possibly have? Can you really afford to miss this one? Returning to the pub for lunch at approximately 1.15pm. Use www.multimap.co.uk to assist in finding pub. Pub post code is IP6 0LP. Post Event Review Nice to see the group from Kent and the other newcomers. I was disappointed for you all that your first ever GO walk was a wet one. Believe it or not, we rarely have any rain on GO walks. A cold and very windy day with frequent rain and snow showers. Unfortunately the recent copious amounts of rainfall have raised the river level to such an extent that some breaching of the river wall has occurred. This resulted in an abandonment of the return by the Gipping path, taking a less attractive but much safer route by road back to the pub at Great Blakenham. The pub provided us with some excellent food (much appreciated on a day like this). Many thanks to David and staff for looking after us - we shall return for an evening walk in May.

Saturday, 29th March 2008 Newbourne - Bucklesham Start 10.30am, Distance 6miles Meet and park 10.10am to pre-order food at "The Fox Inn", Newbourne (please use the Newbourne Springs Nature Reserve car park close to the pub). Walk features stretches of meadow and woodland, with some undulating aspects too. The walk concludes by passing through the nature reserve, currently managed by the Suffolk Wildlife Trust. Returning to the pub for lunch at approximately 1pm. Use www.multimap.co.uk to assist in finding pub. Pub post code is IP12 4NY. Post Event Review Weather today was much kinder to us - dry with bright periods but a bit of a strong breeze at times. Ground condition apart from some mud were surprisingly good after recent heavy rain. Bird song was particularly evident in the woodland areas. The Fox at Newbourne, provided us we a fine selection of food at reasonable prices. The Adnams Broadside was in excellent condition! Everything was served promptly and very efficiently. Thank you to all staff at this establishment.

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