Suffolk walk: Cycle ride from Dunwich NT to Southwold

 By the last Sunday, Marcus's car was fixed, We were going to cycle to Mindsmere that day. change of plans... Drove to Dunwich Heath ( again) then cycled into Southwold. I was always wanted to do it, to cycle to Southwold. By now, I am a bit more confident I can do this, a bit by bit, I need to build myself, if I don't move, my body seize up and feel tight. Alos having cancer treatment at moment, putting weight. I feel fatigue so I don't do as much as excise I used to pre cancer days. So I am getting a bit heavier. Anyway, keeping healthy weight is good, decrease chance of cancer coming back. i need to keep going...😁

What a lovely cycle ride. It was quite straight forward from Dunwich. We cycled down through woods into Dunwich church, past Dingle hill farm/ cafe into bridleway ( grabble path). From there, it was straight to Southwold. had different flavour of woods and field. It was lovely day, saw many people walking by, it was wonderful seeing people and doggies smiling ( some were a bit grumpy 😂) , being outdoor feels so good isn't it? And be able to say hello to fellow walkers and cyclists! 😍

When we came out from the bridleway, through some gates, I knew we were close to walberswick! I knew exactly where we were. It was my first time went to Walberswick from Dunwich, the path I always wanted to try ( from Walberswick). Such a beautiful path to cycle/ walk. Cycling along the river, through reeds to the top of the village. Straight onto path leads to the Walberswick Bailey bridge. Then realised the bridge was still closed! So we cycled to harbour, took a ferry ( smallest in the country! and at the moment it is free of charge, Suffolk County council subsidising the fees, how generous of the, they should do that more often.🤓) Anyway, it was also my first time crossing the river with the ferry. so excited. 

Safely got to the other side. We went into the town then into the pier. It was really busy, we cycled round a bit and went back to the harbour. I always wanted to try a portion of chips from one of fish and chip shop there. Now, my dream came true! 😍Yes, we had a bag of chips and water each for our snack. It was delicious! Fresh chips, crispy outside, soft inside. Hand cut chips ( I believe. ) Chips is my favorite food, which I don't have often. So this makes even more tasty! Appreciate more I guess. 

Delicious chips!

After our belly feeling happy with chips, we took a ferry again back to Walberswick. 

From Walberswick, we took different bridleway on the top of Bailey bridge turning right ( maybe footpath...), went through the field, go over the road, through cornfield ( loved it, cycled through cornfield! felt like I was in the different country!) carried on the bridleway. took a few random footpath too, and we got lost in deep Dunwich forest. I got grumpy and tired...🚴‍♀️😠But somehow,  we managed to come out the grabble path where we cycled through earlier that day. all connect in the end...😆

From there, it was easy getting back to the Heath. I just couldn't wait for my paddling in the sea. We spent another an hour or so on the beach then drove back home. So tired, crushed into my bed early that night. following day, I was still tired... Took me a few day to recover, however, I felt good. I can't wait for more adventure this weekend. 

Suffolk walk: Cycle ride from Saxmundham to Dunwich

 A few weekend ago, that was the weekend, Marcus's car was broken down, August bank holiday weekend 😀. This didn't certainly  prevent us from going out on Sunday. It was sunny, pleasant day,  and perfect for a little cycle ride. 

We departed Saxmundham where we live just before 9am, cycled up the high street, up to Kelsale, turn left into the country lane on the top of the village. We went through little villages ( Middleton, Westleton) , had a quick rest in westleton green to stretch our legs. Dunwich from there was a little cycle away! So Pleased I made it this far. I thought I wasn't going to be able to do it, I feel fatigue and my quads feeling like giving up, It was for a while i did cycle ride especially when I started my chemo this year. 

After stretching our legs, we started going again, felt so good to be able to be on my bike again, cycling through the lanes and roads with views! Heathers! Beautiful heathers, and fresh air. We arrived to Dunwich Heath NT just after 10am.

On our way in, we purchased a few cucumbers and a punnet of tomatoes from the house on the right. They always put out beautiful products outside, we were always in the car, no where to stop, so had to drove pass. But this morning, we were able to purchase them, so pleased. Looked delish. Later we had some cherry tomatoes for our snack on the beach 😍Look, how wonderful they are! 👇

Anyway, about 10am ish, we were resting on of benches outside the cafe. Bumped into a few people who I knew from Bury! Such a wonderful to see them, hadn't seem them for long time. One of ladies who comes to my zoom yoga class, who I hadn't seen for last two years ( nearly!) It was soooooo lovely to bumped into her. Well, I knew they were going to be there, so I kind od, timed it to get to Dunwich. I wanted to see them, even to say hello. 😁😍💖

After that, we went down to the beach, had our day therapy....hot stone, sound, heat and light therapy ( aka sunbathing😄) as well as hydrotherapy ( aka swimming/ paddling in the sea😌) such a great feeling floating and soaking into the sea water. I wonder how long I can go for...until water is too cold for me to go in...🧐🤓

I had a bit more confident now, I can actually do this. looking forward to more cycle ride. 

On our way back, we took bridleways and footpath( mmm, naughty!) to get to Leiston then took a country lane next to Leiston abbey back to saxmundham. It was longer than way in, however, i do love off road and going through woods. 

Found some beautiful and intense heather field...!

We took the first bridleway on the left when you going out from Dunwich Heath towards Mindsmere, carried on to Eels Foot Inn in Eastbridge. This pub always look busy, smelt nice when we cycled past. I wondered what they had for their menu for lunch.  🤔🥙🍿🥤Yum yum.

Then we took another bridleway on the left carried on to Sizewell. From there, it was on the road for a while, which I didn't mid as not a lot traffic there. Turning left at the end of Leiston Abbey. 

We got back home, spent late afternoon chilling out with cuppa and sauna to relax muscles.

Can't wait for next week for more cycle ride! So grateful being here in East Suffolk.