Suffolk Walk: Walberswick 1800 Off grid cottage

 

15 - 17/06/22

It was the first time I actually went away since I as diagnosed with cancer in 2019 summer. I had an opportunity to visit and stay for 4 days in lake district, however the site we were going to stay wasn't suitable for my needs, so I stayed here, Marcus went away on his own to join our friends there. 

My fatigue wasn't too bad, and it was local, only 20mins away from where we live, and flat. So it was ideal for me to stay. I booked for a few nights to hire a 1800 off grid house in the middle of Walberswick nature reserve. No neighbours, foot path runs behind the house, but we saw hardly anyone walking there. Saw a few dog walkers, that was it! Beautiful footpath inside the private land too, leads to the Blythbugh water. 

It was fun to light the fire pit on the first night, Marcus went to the woods to find some woods to burn in the pit. Weather was hot for those three days we were there, so all wood pieces on the ground were pretty much dry, burnt really well. There were plenty woods to light fire for shower and hot tub. 

We had shower in the morning, light fire in the outside bathroom. the bathroom was cute and warmed up very quickly, hot like sauna! Only needed a few woods to get fire going and hot water. 

I had a bit nap on the grass ( on my yoga mat), I felt mozzies were eating me alive, stingy and itchy really quickly. i didn't spray myself mosquito repellent, so ended up having over 20 bites on my head! 😆 

On second day, we went to Walberswick beach for quick morning dip, there were a few people already for picnic / dip. The sea was calm and not brown! It was more greeny colour and where very shallow, actually I could sea the sea bed. Of course, we went back in the late afternoon, (about low tide time)for another dip. It really felt like holiday. 😊 To save my time, we  just had protein shakes and protein bars for our snacks. I didn't want to cook any food, because I was on "holiday"! Didn't want to eat out either. Wanted to spend time in the house and the beach as much as we could. 

Photos above are sunset on the first day. it was beautiful over the water. We walked a bit further down until "footpath" disappeared. i wasn't quite sure it was proper footpath or not, but I could see people walked so we just followed. 

On second morning, we followed the east Suffolk line footpath towards Walberswick, we didn't go too far, as I got a bit tired walking longer distance. Lovely sky, beautiful footpath. I am sure many people walked here.

the sea was like this calm, all three days. after we checked out, about 11am, we drove to Dunwich heath for another dip. the sea was calm, lovely slow currents. Floating away in the sun. So pleased to have a few days off , so needed. I am still feeling chilled out. Looking forward to another little break. ( in Suffolk or Norfolk!)

Suffolk Walk: Carlton Marshes near Lowestoft😊

 

I read on twitter, there was mashes and new footpath was opened in Carlton Marshes, we thought it was near Beccles. We googled how to get there and thought it was close by. So, one afternoon this week, we drove to Carlton Marshes. Never been there before, and always exciting to visit places never been. 

Sat nav took us on funny country roads into big roads towards Lowestoft, it was very closed to Lowestoft from where we were going from. Marcus was a bit suspicious that we drove really close to Lowestoft, which we wasn't expected, it was this way. Anyway, we managed find the reserve and parked our car. 

It was lovely and well looked after, I saw kids and family having picnic in playground, considering the weather. It was quite cloudy and as if it was going to rain, that kind of typical English weather. But it didn't stop us going for a little walk. Marcus read black footpath was just opened, it was supposed to be board walk on marshes, so, we were excited about that. 

Started walking....

I was pretty sure we were following signs.  We even had a map too, somehow we were walking orange footpath 😂 (my favorite colour footpath, in my experience, when I follow orange footpath, I am always lost somewhere. ) However, although ended up following this orange footpath, we walked along river, marsh lands, seeing cows grazing, friendly people/walkers and enjoyed it. Lovely footpath. 

We saw many swans,  geese, white little eaglets ( quite a few and never seen so many in one place), Marsh Harrier, and  a little chinese water deer in further by water. I had my binoculars with me, so I could see what was going on a bit further. Never seen a little chinese water deer before, it looked like a bit muntjac, are they the same especies? 🤓

Many footpaths to try, we defo go back to explore the reserve. It was really flat so, easy to walk. I could hear train went by in the background, I would assume railway was nearby. Next time explore the area by getting on train from our local train station, get off Oulton Broad South (on East coast line by Greater Anglia from Ipswich). Apparently only 20-30 mins walk from the station, hopefully we can get there without getting lost 😆

There were hides too so I recommend to take your binoculars with you if you have one. I purchased mine a while ago from RSPB Mindsmere, and love them.  These days, everywhere I walk, I take them with me, so I can nosy round on wildlife. A staff  there helped me to choose mine, and she was very helpful. 

At the Carlton marshes, there is a cafe and a little shop, you can sit outside on the balcony overlooking the marshes. Very peaceful. 

Later, Marcus's mum confirmed him this place was his uncle's favorite place ( one of) who passed away last year. I can see why he loved it and worked there too, such peaceful, beautiful and amazing wildlife reserve. I saw a few people walking in the field, must've taken different footpath, which I felt I would like to try next time. 

On our way back home, we detoured to Halesworth to purchase more niknaks😆

Carlton Marshes, 

Burnt Hill Lane, 

Carlton Colville 

NR33 8HU

Lowestoft

Suffolk