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Saturday 16th August

Most of us met up at Bush Hill Park Station for a local train to Liverpool Street. Peter Mo joined us at Liverpool Street. Here we split into two groups and travelled on separate trains to Ipswich (and the trains had a lovely modern idea, a guards van with loads of room for bikes). We then rode across the town to the Cricketers for lunch, where we met up with John C and Peter Mu who had individually driven to Ipswich. Our ride to Blaxhall took in Westerfield, Helmingham, Framsden, Cretingham, Kettleburgh (where we were frustrated in a tea stop by the pub being closed), Easton (where we did find a pub which was serving), Parnham and Great Glemham. We noticed a local feature of boundary walls that took a wavy line! Finally we crossed the A12, passed a folk festival and reached Blaxhall around 5:10 pm. After settling in we made our way to the local pub, The Ship, where we had booked a restaurant table and enjoyed the live music (and birthday requests).

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Sunday 17th August

Breakfast at the hostel then we set off at around 10 for Southwold, initially passing the Snape Maltings which is home to annual Aldeburgh Music Festival. We continued through several villages as the sky grew greyer, and stopped for tea at Westleham. Although it was still morning the cream teas proved hard to resist! As we left the drizzle began, but fortunately it only lasted about twenty minutes before the skies brightened. We approached Southwold via Walberswick and a cycle path carved out of a disused railway. Southwold Harbour covers a large area, and we passed numerous boats and fresh fish stalls. In Southwold we went to the pier where we had a fish and chip lunch (very nice but a tad pricey). Return via a similar route and another evening meal at The Ship, with piano solo by Will. Finally back to the hostel for a session of tortoise racing (don’t ask, but it involves copious quantities of elastic), the crossed scissors game and a picnic to which very few were invited.

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Monday 18th August

A flurry of packing and bike checks, followed by a photo call which replicated our club’s previous visit in 2007. Then off to the seaside again at Orford for a tea stop overlooking the River Alde. We continued through Hollesley, Shottisham on B1083 to Woodbridge then Martlesham, Foxhall Heath, to Ipswich. We arrived slightly later than we hoped, but caught the next train from Ipswich with no problems and reached Liverpool Street just after 4:00pm. As this was a working day there was some concern about the onward journey with bikes, but they’re OK on the local trains out of Liverpool Street until 4:30pm so we just made it.

Thanks to the organisers Pat and Maz, and to everyone who came along, that’s Karl, Paul L, Will (Leader Monday) Jayne, Les, Cathy, John (Leader Sunday), Jane, John C, Peter Mu, Jeff, Chris, Peter Mo (Leader Saturday). Also to the staff at the YHA and the railway.