The right to roam ...

One of the great joys of living in the countryside is the right to roam, enshrined in British law. Here are some of the signs posting the legal rights of way in our village. Most of them are respected by the landowners, but sadly, not all. I have in the past encountered some of our village signs vandalised, but they are soon replaced.

Mill Lane to Riggle Street

After you pass the last of the row of houses on Mill Lane, you come to a bridleway linking it with Riggle Street (also sometimes given as Wriggle Street). There is a drainage ditch, which, after the recent rains, was full of water when I walked out that way. Primroses along its banks looked lovely, and blackthorn bushes were also in full bloom. Further along I was captivated by some lords and ladies (Arum maculatum), but more of them to come in the autumn!

Out of Riggle Street and back into the village takes me past a village eyesore. Some years ago a barn was bought for conversion, planning permission all in place ... but it seems funds ran out and the property remains in this state. I'm glad we don't live next door!

The Five Bridges Walk

I suppose historically there may have been five bridges on this Pagus Soham walk, but currently there are only four. That is, unless you count the logs crossing a drainage ditch, which would bring the total to five. I usually take the walk clockwise, which takes you past some meadowland and a few houses on the outskirts of the village.

But the walk really starts with a beautiful lane bordered by tall lime trees.

Walking down this lane you have glimpses of the village church across the fields ...

... and then it's a short descent to the Deben River, where you cross your first bridge.

Then it's on around the fields, and this year the first one you encounter has oilseed rape, a very common crop in our area.

A lonely Scots pine towers above the crops growing below.

Blackthorn looks lovely in many of the hedgerows bordering the fields.

Next a short climb on to the next fields, potatoes this year.

At the end of that field I find a new hedge has been planted by the farmer, possibly as a wind-break?

Then through a small gate and across a beautiful meadow leading back down to the Deben River, where you cross the remaining three bridges, the first a favourite place for playing Pooh Sticks.

The last bridges are deep in a wooded area, quiet and magically secluded.

Weed growth is discouraged at the base of trees in a copse bordering the wheat fields which lead back to ...

... the main road leading into the village ...

... taking you back to where you started, the Queen's Head Inn!