Sunday 9 August 2020

09/08/20 - Southwold Marshes, River Blyth and the Adnams Brewery Shop

 Distance - 5 Miles

Walk Inspiration - AA 1001 Walks - Walk 651

Geocaches - 2 



Getting up early to avoid the Sun has as a negative impact.  The pubs aren't open when the walking is done. We are in Suffolk for a week, so there should be chance to return to the Lord Nelson for a Good Beer Guide Tick later.

A choice of two walks today - heading north from Southwold was going to be our route but I think the cliff path has collapsed since the 2000 edition of Country Walking detailed a 7.5 miler.   We were met with plenty of Private Signs on the cliff top - and a high tide meaning the beach below was inaccessible.

A more sedate 5 miler through the marshes to the River Blyth will have to do for today.

The Southwold Marshes are not the best introduction to Suffolk walking.  A high man made path, cutting through bog water ditches, with only 3ft high reeds to look at is no ones idea of fun.

Southwold Pier
Southwold Pier - Starting point for either walk option
Unpromising Start
An unpromising Start

Things do improve when we reach the River Blyth and Southwold Harbour.  Its a hive of activity, even at 9am on a Sunday morning.  The fresh fish shacks are open, leaving us with a conundrum of how to get kippers back to the cottage in this heat.  The Harbour Inn looks like it will open later but I'll have to make do with a reminder of just how bad the 1953 floods must have been.

Southwold Harbour
We can tell the temperature by the length of Guide Dog Abi's Tongue
The Harbour Inn
1953 Flood Line
Southwold Harbour
One of the many fish shacks

Back into Southwold to discover all the joys held within.  Preparing for the next visit, we find the Lord Nelson.  But if you fear that this is a blog with no beer, you would be mistaken.  Most boozehounds know that Southwold is synonymous with Adnams and there is a healthy looking queue waiting for the 10am brewery opening.

Although today is my birthday, on reflection, bursting into the shop with pistol fingers and shouting "Give me all your beer" was ill-advised.

Lord Nelson
We'll be back for the GBG Tick
Mappiman ramraiding Adnams
Happy Birthday to me!


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