Log No 344. Fri 13th Jun 2014 - Sizewell to Southwold, 12 miles (5299 miles walked)

There was still no change in the weather and I set off in the sunshine again at 08.20 taking the grassy footpath in front of the Sizewell Power Station.

There were plenty of dog walkers around Sizewell but I soon had the path to myself.

Sandra had told me Spring Watch was based in Suffolk and Ray & Barbara had said they were filming in Minsmere which is where I was just walking through.

I never saw any of the SW team but I did come across one of their camera setups left unattended by a sluice. There was even a pair of sunglasses left there hooked on the gate.

It looked like they had stuck a bit of dead tree in the bank to provide a convenient perch to attract birds within the cameras field of view.

I watched for a while and saw a swallow land on the branch and another swallow chased off a magpie.

This was an RSPB Reserve and I saw a number of bird watchers about visiting the various hides.

After passing by the wetland area the Suffolk Coast Path came inland a bit and went through Dunwich Heath before going through a wood and on to Dunwich.

At one time Dunwich was the largest trading port in England with a population of 4000, over the years erosion has claimed nearly all village and it now only has a population of 100 and only 50 of these are permanently resident.

I could have walked along the beach to Walberswick but I didn't fancy nearly 3 miles of shingle crunching so I followed the SCP as it took a small inland detour.

The path went along the edge of Dunwich Forest before coming through the marshes to get back on the beach just before Walberswick.

This was a popular spot and my campsite was just on the other side of the river.

It was 9 miles to drive round to the other side but fortunately there was a footbridge less than a mile upstream.

For those not wanting to walk round there was a row boat ferry across.

This river was Southwold Harbour and had a variety of wooden buildings and shacks on the north side, one of which was selling fish & chips, very handy for the campsite so that would save me having to walk into Southwold and back to get something to cook.

It was only 1 o'clock so I sat on a bench and finished my lunch before checking in at Southwold Camping & Caravan Park, I was going to be here for 2 nights, Mick had arranged the booking and the owners gave me a free pitch.

I put the tent up and checked my emails and was surprised to see I had received an online donation from Paul & Frances who are here on holiday, I must have only been speaking with them half an hour ago. That must be one of the quickest online donations I have had, thanks to you both.

12 miles today and a rest day tomorrow, I haven't done a big mileage this week so it must be walking in all this heat that is making me tired.