By Phil Spalding

cambolc.co.uk,  LinkedIn, BlueSky, Facebook

A walk in the countryside is one of those experiences that we all talk about. Actually motivating yourself to do so is a different matter. The Annual Bartlow Three Counties walk blogged about last time I published is one of those bucket list activities that has to be blessed with right timing. This year was the right timing.

In a flurry of enthusiasm I had booked myself onto the 9 mile course. I also in the spirit of being green and reducing my carbon had decided to take the bus. For a 9.30 am registration I hopped on the 8.30 am bus from Haverhill. Jumped off at Linton and walked to the start. Having relied on Google Maps to plan my journey I had not taken into account that the start was the other side of the village. This meant a 2 mile walk to the start as opposed to one mile.

Having reached the start the next thing was to check in. Having pre-paid this was very quick. In the queue was a collection of assorted dogs with owners. The breeds ranged from wire haired terriers to collie dogs to bouncy spaniels. All in fine voice.

Having already walked 2 miles to the start I changed my plan and did the 6 mile Challenge instead. A short bus ride in the Barnardiston Preparatory School Bus to Shudy Camp. This allowed an appreciation of the tri-point of the border of Cambridgeshire, Suffolk and Essex. There are hills. Also there are Windmills.

The walk coincided with national open day scheme for mills. Ashdon Mill above was gently turning in the wind which at the pint I reached it was getting extremely fresh. A few spots of rain were evident on the final stretch.

In all including the 2 mile walk to the start, the bus ride combined with 6 mile challenge took a total of 2 hours 38 minutes. With the walk back to the bus stop still to do I rested for about half an hour at the finish. I could have had a pint in the local but I was under impression from walking past earlier that it was closed for a private function.

The full walk can be viewed later as while I write the server of the Discover Suffolk App is currently down.