Thursday, 18 August 2011
Adrian writes: Eight of us from Cambridge (Mick, Averil, Tony, Edward, Joseph, Jim, Paul and myself), travelling in three cars, arrived at Framlingham College and met Greta, Doug,Tony P, Brian B, and Peter who were staying there for the week at the birthday rides. Greta and Peter were our leaders for the day, with an excellent route along traffic-free lanes.
We started off by going south through Framlingham town on the B1116 but soon turned towards Kettleburgh, Easton and Hacheston. Then a little bit more of the B1116 before turning left towards Marlesford, here we crossed the A12 where there was a farm shop/café beside the road where we had coffee. On leaving Paul found he had a puncture, which was soon fixed and we were on our way again. We travelled through Campsey Ash, Rendlesham down a little bit of the busy A1152 before turning off down a lovely little lane into the village of Eyke. We then crossed straight over the A1152 this time to the B1084 Orford road. Here we turned left and travelled along this road for some time before turning right towards Butley High and Low Corner, then left to Butley itself, then a lane that parallel to the B1084 Orford main road before joining it for the rest of the way into Orford for lunch café right on the shore line.
After lunch we had a look around Orford village and old castle before heading north through narrow lanes to Iken and its church overlooking the river Alde and Snape. After leaving the church we headed to Snape Maltings for afternoon tea, which for most was a delicious cream tea.
We had had lovely weather all day until now, but while at the Maltings having our tea the heavens opened. We took our time over tea hoping the rain would ease, but it didn't, so braving the weather we put on our wet gear and headed back through Blaxhall, (where the rain eased a bit) and by the sustrans route and Great Glemham back to Framlingham and the college.
At the college we stopped to say goodbye and thanked everybody for their company, reloaded the bikes on cars and headed home.
I would like to thank Greta and Peter for their map reading and everybody for coming. I think we did about
40+ miles, which was very enjoyable. Adrian Lee