11/06/2026
Angles Way for Presidents Sponsored Walk. A great achievement by our president Mark and his wife Bernadette- plus all the people that met them and walked some of the way with them. Thanks to this who donated - if we still want to then please use the link below:
Raising funds for 3 great charities that make a real difference to those living with visual impairment; Vision Norfolk, Retina UK and Global Sight Solutions.
https://www.peoplesfundraising.com/fundraising/Presidents-sponsored-walk-9th-june-26
A full report below:
Day 1 - Start Gt Yarmouth to Somerlyton. Walked by Breydon Water, stopped at Burgh Castle to talk with BBC Radio Norfolk, respite at Fritton Church, avoided 3 storms and finished in Somerleyton. OS map says 13.9 Miles but in reality I believe we have done about 16.3 miles by the time we walked to our accommodation at Somerleyton Meadows ( hot tub included) and to the Dukes Head pub!
Day 2 - Angles Way for Presidents Sponsored Walk. Somerleyton to Beccles. OS App stated 15.63 miles but we had some app pauses so believe it was over 16 miles.
Today we were joined by some very special friends, Anne Beckett-Allen, Rachel Rackham, and their Mum, Sandra. Rachel joined us until lunch time whilst Ann & Sandra tamped on with us all the way. All three are amazing women and thier fun company and support was very much appreciated.
From Carlton Marsh to Beccles was hard going - not only was it rough under foot and staying upright is a life ambition 🤪, but we got soaked in a heavy rain storm x 2.
With soggy feet we arrived in Beccles drenched in sunshine, greeted by 2 of Mark’s cousins laden with cakes and newspaper. ( paper to stuff into our boots).
The kindness of friends and strangers is amazing - our dinner was unexpectedly and kindly donated by Oak Fired at the Royal Oak.
All in all a long day but a great day supported by incredible people.
Day 3 - Beccles to Earsham/ Bungay 13.23 miles.
Early morning bathed in sunshine; by 9am cloudy skies; by 11am rain had set in for the day becoming heavier as we journeyed into the afternoon.
We travelled through some beautiful Suffolk Green Lanes which provided some shelter from the rain. As today’s was a shorter day we were able to spend a leisurely lunch with Marks cousin, Lucy, at the Silo Cafe.
Coming into Earsham the hardest thing was avoiding cars throwing up sheets of water 😠.
As we’re in Bungay tonight, a glass of Flint Valley Charmat is irresistible.
It’s newspaper and hair dyer for the boots again tonight!
Day 4 -Earsham/ Bungay to Brockdish.
Big day ( for us) Friday 17.06 miles.
After delicious pastries & great coffee at Baked in Bungay we were energised, all body parts moving well and feeling good. And the weather was fair.
We had a head wind later in the afternoon which made it harder at times. By the time we got to Harleston we were feeling tired & to exacerbate this negotiating around Harleston, when property developers close off national rights of way, makes it frustrating. I would personally take this part of the route out. After an ice cream & suitably refreshed we carried on to Brockdish.
This home bound section of the Angles Way is probably some of the prettiest. We are blessed to live in the Waveney Valley.
Hazards today; bollards in Earsham St; Fen Farm cows ( lucky cows) blocking a gate; tree branches falling 30 ft onto the path 10 feet in front of us 🤪; tree stumps on edge of path causing trip hazards. At least there was only 1 trip.
Tonight home to sleep in our own bed.
On the home stretch now.
Day 5 - Brockdish to Diss.
After a nights sleep in our own bed ( thanks to Phil Catchpole for being our taxi) we were ready for the easy 10.84 mile ahead of us.
This stretch, like yesterday, follows some of the prettiest parts of the River Waveney. Thanks to the Waveney River Trust the path is well maintained, mown and therefore good under foot.
Half way along the route we were joined by our very dear friends Charles Flack and Wendy-and Eamon Lambert. After a picnic lunch together on ‘our bench’ at Billinford Church, which affords great views over the Waveney Valley, we headed off on the 5 miles back into Diss.
Having friends join you on the track nattering away means the miles drift away more easily and your burning feet are forgotten.
We stopped in the beautiful St Andrew’s Church in Frenze, which largely missed the widespread destruction of Cromwell’s men because it looked like a barn from the outside. There are several rare medieval and Tudor monumental brasses, with the oldest dating back to 1475.
As we walked over Frenze Beck we could taste the Ampersand Pale Ale.
20 minutes later and beer in hand the conversation and stories continued to flow.
After a few hours at Ampersand Brewery Mark & I walked the mile home.
A very good day 🙂
Day 6- Diss to Thelnetham Windmill 10.84 miles.
Because we needed to finish the final leg from Knettishall Heath to be at Thelnetham Windmill on Sunday the 14th we had to fit the Diss to Thelnetham leg in prior to starting in Great Yarmouth.
This is a route that is very familiar to us having walked these public footpaths for over 30 years.
The path along Roydon Fen, Wortham Ling, Redgrave & Lopham Fen then into Little Ouse Headwaters Project Fens are some of the most scenic, atmospheric and diverse habitats along the Angles Way.
We stopped along the way to listen to the chattering Reed Warblers and the pesky Cuckoos.
We are lucky to have all this on our door step, only footsteps away.
Day 7 - Our last leg, Knettishall Heath to Thelnetham Windmill- 6.83 miles.
Sunday the 14th completed our walk of the Angles Way. Over the 6 and 1/2 days we walked over 80 miles.
This last section follows the Little Ouse River. Starting early in the morning means peaceful, calm walking where the sounds of nature are more amplified. The woods of Knettishall Heath were alive with song birds, we passed Riddlesworth Hall where Princess Di went to school, scotted around Hopton Fen where the call of a Cuckoo echoed around us, and then surprise; the call of a Curlew.
Approaching Thelnetham Windmill and the Little Ouse Headwaters Project, which is very familiar territory, I spotted a Red Kite quartering low over a wheat field.
Turning the corner our end destination was in sight, along with a crowd of familiar faces who greeted us with applause and cheers.
To help celebrate our walk and share some of the local landscape that we love so much, Little Ouse Headwaters Project conducted a nature walk guided by their Conservation Manager, Ellie Beach. Supported by volunteers Reg Langston and Becky LOHP also lead a sensory walk through Little Fen so those with visual impairments, or not, could enjoy the smells, sounds and atmosphere that this wonderful habitat shares.
After a good walk all that is needed is Tea and Cake. And we certainly had plenty of delicious cakes thanks to all Diss & District Rotary Club volunteer cake makers.
I think Mark has proven that to enjoy walking, whether it be 80 miles or 8 miles; to immerse yourself in nature; experience diverse landscapes; you don’t to be sighted.
Supported by great organisations, great people, communities and technology, lots of things are possible.
Life is good. ❤️
Raising funds for 3 great charities that make a real difference to those living with visual impairment; Vision Norfolk, Retina UK and Global Sight Solutions.
If you would like to donate click the link below
https://www.peoplesfundraising.com/fundraising/Presidents-sponsored-walk-9th-june-26
