Suffolk Panorama near Ixworth
This blog is deliberately named 1000 Miles with Friends as I decided that I wanted this challenge to not only be about walking the 1000 miles, but also about the enjoyment of being with friends as I walk.
So far I have walked with my husband and by myself (listening to a new ‘friend’ in Clare Balding’s “Ramblings” podcasts on BBC Radio 4).
As this is half term week I decided to take advantage of the holiday to go out for a walk with a fellow teacher. We have done a few short evening walks previously and I asked my friend where she wanted to go. She has a copy of an AA book of walks and suggested a route from that book which went from the village of Ixworth past two different types of mill, one is noticeable from the A143 which passes it.
Ixworth Walk Details.
So armed with OS Explorer maps 229 and 211 (guess what – we were on the edge of the two maps again!) and the route guide, we set off on a beautiful morning from the village hall carpark in Ixworth (932703).
Due to the heavy rain we had experienced earlier in the week, the footpath alongside the fields was incredibly muddy and it feel like we were walking on soft sand. We met a few dog walkers, but as we moved further from the village there were just the two of us in a rural landscape.
Ixworth walk.
After we turned south to cross the A143 the first of two mills, Pakenham windmill is perched on the opposite hill. This mill was built in 1831 and is Grade II listed. Restored in 2000, it is in working order and although we did not go inside on this occasion, it is somewhere to go back and visit, along with Pakenham Water Mill, which is only a short distance away.
Pakenham Windmill.
Pakenham Water Mill.
The parish of Pakenham is unique in Britain in having both a working watermill and a working windmill. The 18th century watermill, the last working watermill in Suffolk and now owned by the Suffolk Building Preservation Trust, is on a Domesday site.
One sight to make us smile was the collection of topiary, a giant spider, the Pied Piper and crocodiles and rhinoceros beside the mill pond.
Topiary Spider.
African Waterhole Topiary!
A little further on from the mill we found the hide at Micklemere a small wetland reserve run by the Suffolk Wildlife Trust.
Mickelmere Wetlands.
We spent ashort while here enjoying the sight of the birds feeding at the edge of the water and then swooping in flocks as they were disturbed.
Waterfowl at Mickelmere.
Mickelsmere from the Hide.
I think I need to ask for a small set of binoculars for my birthday next month so that I can go back to this wonderfully tranquil spot to watch and identify the birds.
We walked back into the village of Ixworth and after removing our boots, went for a spot of lunch at the Coffee House, the second shop opened last summer by the owners of my local Coffee House. I would definitely recommend both of their establishments having tested them both!
Today’s walk: 5.26 miles
Walk total this year: 33.47 miles
Overall total daily mileage: 169.32 miles
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