Suffolk Walk: Snowdrops & Dunwich Greyfriars

 One Saturday afternoon in March...

Dunwich isn't far from us, we only live in a market town of Saxmundhm🤩 Dunwich is one of our favorite place for our little walk. Since my illness, I am not able to walk too far, so walk in Greyfriars is perfect. It has sea view, history, beautiful snowdrops in winter, lovely footpaths, and peaceful. 

We used to go for different places for snowdrops but this year, not able to visit, that was due to I was in Japan early this month which were one of reasons... By the time I came back, the most of snowdrops were going out, still, it was very pretty. I feel grateful to be able to see them after my return. 

Greyfriars is a hidden spot for snowdrops, not many people walking in the season either. So, I would definitely recommend, and afetr your walk, why don't you pop down to Ship for your lunch? I have not been there yet, but I have seen on Time Team. When The team came to Dunwich carpark and Greyfrias to dig a couple of trenches, on their break ( after the day) they had a beer and chips etc in the pub. Looked very cozy! This episode is still on youtube. Very interesting, I love anything historical locally. Whether Romas, Anglo Saxons, Iron age or mediaeval... Or even older... Dinosaur time! 

Suffolk Walk: Blakenhem Woodland Garden Snowdrops Walk

 

Wonderful Blakenham Woodland Garden near Ipswich. This located in the middle of nowhere ( to me🤩 ), very peaceful and beautifully maintained garden. When we went, it was open day for snowdrops. 

The lady who owns the house casually was walking with walkers and having chat with how this garden was created and she explained to us there were thousands of different type of snowdrops....never knew.... and some snowdrops costs nearly 200 pounds a bulb...cor, that is very pricey, I bet really rear though. 

Walking this garden felt like going to magic wonderland. Cute wooden doors, snowdrops everywhere. 

There were benches with roofs, benches ( looked like ) created by wood in the garden.., ups and downs on hills...so much different textures. 

At end of our walk ( we did spend quite good time, soaking ourselves in snowdrops energy😍 ) , we popped down to the barn for coffee and a piece of home made cake. It was delish. I could tell they were home made by different people. The lady told me raising money for Macmillan and Maggies! Yay! Both wonderful cancer charities! I went to Maggies in Addenbrooke's hospital in Cambridge for my wig appointment. I still remember it. 

So, it was excuse for me to purchase another piece of cake to take away for later. 

Then we went back to Tosier chocolate shop/ kitchen and I purchased a few chocolate. They were delish, I could really tell different flavour in chocolate. Different cacao beans ( and country) create different flavour in chocolate without any flavourings. They were to me, the best chocolate I tasted so far. Loved how they melt in my mouth and flavour came out. I felt like  was educated about chocolate there. Definitely recommend their chocolate. You can purchase in Snape Maltings as well. 

Can't wait to get back there when bluebells are coming out. Soon... this month...April 24th. They are not open usually unless they have events. 

https://www.blakenhamwoodlandgarden.org.uk/

Norfolk walks---Walsingham Abbey

28/ February/ 2016

I have found some photos from our last visit to the Walsingham Abbey in Norfolk. We went to see pretty snowdrops early this year. I think Walsingham Abbey is the one of the best place to see snowdrops in the area. It was very pretty everywhere. It was also very atmospheric. Almost as if monks were walking around and could hear the monks singing... Every time, places like those make me think what it was like in the days. 

I am sure we will visit again, when snowdrops are out next year. 

When we went there it was sunny but chilly winter Sunday. 

Walsingham Abbey used to look like in the days. Used to be a massive abbey. Also here, attract pilgrims too. There is the Anglican Shrine of Our lady of Walsingham. The village itself is medieval and almost as if time traveled in time. 


There is a chip shop near by, and we had chips for our lunch. 😄

Norfolk Walks---Walsingham Abbey & Holkham

15/Feb/2015

When Marcus told me he was taking me to Walsingham that day, my instant reaction was; "never been there!" That is how I quite often answer/reply to him although he always insists I've been there. Just my memory...getting worse. Not sure why ( it might be, this is due to narcotics I used to do?), I'm pretty sure I used to have really good memory (never had a photographic memory, still, pretty good one... er., or this is, again, my false memory???)

Anyway, when we got there, I said;  "I've been here before!" 
"Well done Norie!" Marcus replied....
Sometimes takes a little longer, but I will get there.....

That day was a bit chilly and cloudy (surprise surprise, English weather). It wasn't the best day to have a look snowdrops, I feel sunny day's better.... Still, they looked very pretty and quite a lot people came to walk through the Abbey. It did say, that day was the peak day for snowdrops.

I thought Anglessey Abbey had the best snowdrops display till we saw them there. It was awesome, sooo pretty, wild and very atmospheric. Almost as if I could feel monks walking around. It was an old medieval priory back in olden days.... 

As I walked through the gate (then pay there), I could see the ruin of the old abbey still standing. It was a bit spooky in a lovely way, and almost as if I was sucked in to the footpath, sudden feeling of : I want to potter round.."

And this place really made us potter round. Beautiful snowdrops everywhere I looked, with a little river/stream run through the grounds, sounds of the water was very calming.... I wanted to put my foot in, I thought it was a bit too cold, so I chickened out.

We did the circular walk there then went into the house/museum. As soon as walked in, I smelt it was a bit musty, turn right into the right room (there are 2 small rooms on both side and an old court room) to have a look some artefacts. Some of them weren't nice. Then I smelt really strong alcohol. Me and Marcus don't drink, so I knew it wasn't from us. I saw a young couple with us in the room, I walked towards them but it wasn't from them either. I didn't say anything.

Then we walked to the other room, then the court room. Oh, I wasn't really keen on that room. 

Came out from there (leads to a shop), we walked round the old quint Walsingham village.

Later I asked Marcus If he smelt anything, he told me he didn't. I thought it might be a spirit person, and could well be. I used to smell strong smell like that when I used to work in a charity shop, I could smell (almost as if that person was next to me) it when no one could. I knew it was haunted anyway, but didn't really bother me. Oh, I hope "Haunted Earth" on the youtube channel go there one day and investigate too!

Anyway, I love historical places like the abbey, quite romantic isn't it. 

Week after we went (and I put some photos up on Facebook too), good friend of mine from Norwich (Emma) went there too with her partner. Snowdrops were still blooming, but looked they were really opened. 

I really liked the Walsingham ruins and grounds, it'll be added to my picnic place for summer list! We also visited the big church there. Apparently, it's a pilgrim village for centuries.

Here's a bit about Walsingham Abbey:
"Walsingham is dated back to 11th century for religious pilgrimage. ‘Walsingham’ is in fact two unspoiled North Norfolk villages, Little, or ‘New’ Walsingham, and a mile away, Great or ‘Old’ Walsingham; both have a wealth of historic buildings. 

The Georgian Shirehall, for 200 years a courtroom but originally built as a pilgrim hostel, is now a Museum, and your way in to the Abbey Grounds. Visitors today can enjoy the tranquil atmosphere surrounding the Priory ruins, wildflower meadows, 18 acres of woodland carpeted with snowdrops in the season, or romantically green in summer, and quiet river walks alongside the Stiffkey. "

After visiting, we drove along a scenic route to Holkham for a quick walks. I do love the area. That day, tide was way out, we could walk to miles from the beach.

I wanted to put my foot in to the water... It wasn't as cold as what I expected. It was actually "warmer" compare to some days in Norfolk/Suffolk. Usually really cold!

As I'm writing it, feel now really nostalgic, sometimes sea side makes me feel like that, reminds me of when I was a young girl in Japan, then reminds me I got my family there...I couldn't go back last year and perhaps, this year, but I would like to go home next year! Save some money!!!

Holkham is usually really busy in summer time, English people love to go there. I love to go back to Deepdale  to do glamping in a yurt this year again. (in Brancaster Staithe and Burnham Deepdale, lovely walks there!)

Walsingham Abbey Grounds 
The Shirehall Museum
Tourist Information :
The Shirehall Museum, Common Place, Walsingham NR22 6BP

Opening hours:
Weekends in March 11am-4pm
Weekdays in March 11-1 & 2-4 (Grounds only, entrance at Walsingham Estate Office, Common Place, Walsingham NR22 6BP)
April-October daily 11am-4pm

Admission:
£4.00. Children 6-16 £2.50

Cambridge Walks---Wandlebury Country Park

18/Jan/2015

We hadn't had been to the Wandlebury for ages. So, we decided to visit there for a lovely walks. It's been a while since I wrote anything (again) and been really busy with work. I quite often I feel I really need to spend some time in a country side or do yoga, of course. I have regular practice with yoga but I also need to walk in a nature. 

This Wandlebury is really quaint and I didn't realise till that day, the long Roman footpath leads to a circular walks. We tried to go the Newmarket side, but we gave up due to really muddy footpath in front of us. I wasn't wearing my wellies, so we walked back to the other way; to Cambridge.

Beech Avenue leads to the Roman Road

We didn't walk to Cambridge, however we just walked along the foot path, then on the main road, then back to the Wandlebury front gate. Took us about 1.5 hour or maybe longer, we pottered a bit too. It was lovely walks, apart from going on to the road. 

Came out to the main road

Every time we (Me & Marcus/my partner) see this sign, we always says; "Me and You!" Yes I am the shorty one, he is the tall one....

Sign back to Wandlebury

Every time we go there, we see some families and kids, old couples, and young people enjoying walks or picnic. In summer, it's lovely there. Big grass open space with picnic benches, just lying on there watching clouds go by is my favourite activity. Somehow, feels very soft and magic, walking through the footpath really prove that. sometimes cows are grazing, curiously looking at me then, turn their head away as if they've had enough looking at my face...(not that pretty cow to look at for them maybe!)

I would love to do the whole footpath (these Roman footpath leads to Cambridge to Newmarket) when it's warmer and a bit more drier. At moment, here in England, weather has been a bit funny and wet and still makes me want to hibernate... 

Here's a little about the Wandlebury;

 "On the gentle Gog Magog Hill is situated just south of Cambridge. With 110 acres(40ha) of beautiful woodland and chalk grassland, the remains of a 5th century BC Iron age hill fort, short and long circular walks and some 8miles (12km) of footpaths. And managed by a small charity called Cambridge past, present & future. There are much to enjoy throughout the season. Snowdrops and conites in mid Jan to Feb, daffodils in March, wood violets, apple blossoms in April to early may... and more."

Apparently, there used to be a cafe to have some tea and cakes, but there isn't anymore. I've never seen it. Cambridge city is near by, we always pop in to the town and get some nice treats from the health food shop there. 

I defo recommend this country park for lovely chilled out walks and potter round.


CambridgePPF
Wandlebury Ring
Gog Magog Hills
Babraham
CambridgeshireCB22 3AE 
Website: www.cambridgeppf.org

office: phone...01223-243830 (mon-fri)
email: enquiries@cambridgeppf.org