Pakenham Suffolk

9.15 am 7.5 miles in 1 hour.

Week to date mileage 13

Month to date mileage 134

Average weekly rate 31.1

Average Monthly rate 135

Weather Sunny dry and mild

I drove out to the village of Pakenham which is about 5 miles North east of Bury St Edmunds. I parked in the main road outside The Fox and set of following the signs towards the Windmill. On the way along the Fen Road I took a detour and followed a footpath towards Maulkins Hall though I soon did a u -turn as it looked private. It wasn't just that anyone walking this way might assume this because of the amount of keep out and private signs.

Back on the Fen Road I turned along the Broadway and on to Thieves lane which leads to Pakenham Windmill. The windmill was built in the 1830's and is 80 feet tall. It is brick built and apparently the sails still turn but I don't think it is used to ground flour anymore. It was extensively restored in the 1950's.

Nearby runs the River Blackbourne and this must be the reason for the official transport sign warning of frogs! It looks like the locals have also taken to writing warnings on the road. As I ran down the road I was extra careful to look at for any frogs in case of treading on them but I didn't see any.

After the Windmall I turned along a lovely straight roman road which returned me to Pakenham Upper Town. From here I ran back to St Marys Church. Here I picked up a good pathway which took me out to Pakenham Woods. There are alot of good pathways here and thisis a place to return another time to continue on these pathways.

Pakenham really is a beautiful village and is unique in Britain as it holds a claim as being a village with 2 mills. This time I visited the windmill next time I must head for the watermill and may be I will see some of the frogs.