The weather forecast was good, and on the Thursday before the weekend we had managed to book in for 2 nights at Grange Farm CL Woolpit. We had stayed here a few times before and always like it. What is not to like? Fishing ponds, a little on site butcher, views across fields to Woolpit where the beautiful church could be seen, especially lovely when lit up at night.
Quick set up and on the bikes to meet up with my brother at Elmswell station. Quite a big hill up by the church, but we were still at the station first with plenty of time. This night was special, as my brother had on this day retired from the Rat Race. Installed on the train, we were headed two minutes up the road to Thurston, where a quick wander across the road found us at The Fox and Hounds where my brothers old friends Frank and Elaine already had drinks in. So busy was the pub, it meant that sitting outside was the only option but being outside was a pleasure. We had a really nice celebratory chat, along with a couple of drinks each. Before you knew it we were on the 20:38 returning to Elmswell Station. The bike home was much quicker with a good bit of down hill. We had a snack and a wander around the site looking at the stars which were showing well.
Saturday dawned a pretty good day, and we had a geocaching route planned for Bradfield Woods only a few miles away. Parked up easily and set off into the woods which are a nature reserve (SSSI) looked after by the Suffolk Wildlife Trust. Immediately we were struck with what a beautiful little place this was. The ground was covered in little white flowers and interspersed with cowslip and primrose. We read that the woods are ancient going back to 1252, and used for coppicing and the area boasts 370 plant species.
We enjoyed a great series of geocaches, got lost once, and had a nice chat with the volunteers from the Suffolk Wildlife Trust, and may well join as members soon as they protect and improve many sites mostly unknown to us. On the way home we came by Gedding Hall - a really imposing tudor manor, still owned by Bill Wyman.
We popped into the butchers when back at the site, I did the usual and opened the wrong door and ended up behind the counter, much to the butchers surprise. We chose some porky strips for tea, and also picked a nice little brisket joint for when we got home (which was excellent).
After tea there was, as every time we have stayed here, a cracking sunset, much photographed by me!
This had been a quick getaway, and we decide we will come back again soon
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