Friday, January 26, 2007

Tuddenham St Mary and Cavenham Heath Suffolk

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1 pm 9 miles in 1 hr 15mins 36 seconds

Week to date mileage 21 miles

Month to date mileage 121

Average weekly rate 32.6 miles

Average monthly rate 142

Year to date 121

Lifetime 9714

During my lunch break from work I drove over to the village of Tuddenham St Mary in Suffolk. This is a small village about 4 miles from Mildenhall and 9 miles North West of Bury St Edmunds. The name Tuddenham dates back to AD854 and is derived from the Anglo Saxon 'Tudda's Home'.

I parked outside St Mary's Church which originally dates from the 14th century but has had a major restoration in the 19th century to replace the roof amongst other things.

On the village green there is a war memorial to the men of the RAF who flew from the local airfields. I ran through the village before picking up a footpath sign to take me out to Cavenham Heath. If you decide to visit and I really recommend it you can park at the nature reserve.
This reserve has international importance and is designated an area of special scientific interest.

I set of to follow the Heathland Path which is 1 of the 3 walking paths that can be followed. What I noticed immediately was the complete silence apart from the wind and a few birds. The landscape is one of very open heathland which is often covered with heather.

You can tell you are truly in the Brecklands by the light sandy soil which is difficult to run on as there is a lot of give. Near the car park the woodland trail takes you through a very different landscape of birch trees where there were many sheep grazing.

When I reached the River Lark I did a detour and did a lap of the Wetland trail which turned out to be so aptly named. If you decide to walk this you need wellington boots as in parts it is a true water meadow and you will be wading though water. Great fun but a bit chilly on a cold day to have wet feet.

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