Date: 19th July 2013
Route: Bramford to Stratford St. Mary (Langham)
Mileage Walked: 14 miles
Total Mileage: 14 miles
I have waited for 2 1/2 years for this day to arrive and when it was finally here I could not believe it. I got up early to get everything ready and then disaster. My personal tracker appeared not to be working. Disappointment came over me and I thought oh no is this the start of a troublesome journey? You may not know but originally, I had set to leave on 5th July. The unfortunate collision with the gas van while riding my bike put an end to that plan, I sustained a few bruised ribs and some cuts and bruises. However, after a pretty rapid recovery and with the help of the angel in my life, my dear wife, I managed to set off on a beautiful sunny day from home. Waving goodbye to my wife and my home I walked down Chapel Field turning every now and again to see my home getting smaller with each step and as I turned the corner to my final wave then out of sight of my wife and home.
I had actually taken those first steps and had begun my walk, what lay in store for me, how will I fair, will I actually complete this journey, who knows, for now I just needed to focus on getting to Stratford St. Mary, a mere 14 miles away. As I made my way along familiar streets and shops these thoughts haunted me, by now I passed the Bramford School and watched some children running about in the sun laughing and shouting as kids do. Crossing the main Sproughton to Claydon road and walking up the hill, I looked back at my village and wondered when I would see this scene again. I hoped after my ”TREK 2 CZECH”. I felt no goodbye was needed as I knew in my heart I would return.
With my spirits, high and feeling confident of my success I strode out and in no time, I was well in the countryside, no traffic or houses, just grass and earth under my feet and birds to keep me company I was walking on the edge of golden fields of Barley blessed and kissed by the sun. I had walked this first part of the route many times before so I knew the way quite well. The first village I would pass through was Burstall and then on through Hintlesham Golf course skirting the village of Hintlesham and onwards to Chattisham. It seemed to be so easy, mind you I was not fully loaded. I was carrying the bare essentials so my body seemed not to give me any indication of weariness. However, this was short lived, eager to check my route on my Satmap I put my left foot into a bunny hole and fell over. Cursing and swearing I got up and dusted myself down. Shortly afterwards I started to feel my left knee become sore and painful with each step. I still wanted to get to Stratford St Mary and was determined that nothing would stop me. I also knew that if I damaged my knee any further, I might be seeing Bramford a lot sooner than I wanted. Well I had got this far so I carried on.
At a small manor house or farm named Vauxhall I stopped for a drink and a rest enjoying looking at the ducks and scouting for fish in the moat. It was near midday and the weather was still good to me, sunny and warm. I picked myself up and trundled off again and an hour later felt tired and hungry, so I stopped to have something to eat and a longer rest. I was near a stream on the edge of Binny’s Wood, Near Little Wenham and felt this was an ideal spot to recuperate. I spread my plastic sheet on the grass and ate and afterwards put my head down for a sleep. I dosed off almost immediately and woke up with a start and looking at a dog’s nose as he checked me out. The owner apologizing for the dog’s behavior and called him back. That was a good alarm clock as I think I would have slept a lot longer. I gathered my belongings and then felt the pang of mother nature, no not No 1 but No 2, I had packed my toilet roll so I looked for nice hidden spot in the woods and did my business, feeling a lot lighter I set off again past Wenham Castle and on to Great Wenham. I checked my Satmap and I still had another 4 ½ miles to go.
By now my legs were hurting and my knee very painful. I occupied my mind by looking at the beauty surrounding me, the quietness and colors, yellows, greens, blue sky and somehow managed to get the strength and willpower to carry on. Good job I did because within an hour or so I was in Holton St. Mary where I rested once again in the grounds of Holton Hall. It must have been leaving off time as the exodus of people leaving work made me think of my working days. No work for a few months and I had all the time in the world now. I did not envy them at all and they must have thought I was a refugee or gypsy as I propped myself up against a hedge. Having drunk and rested I hauled myself up again and headed towards Stratford hills. From the top I could see the Deben valley and I knew that I was not far from my goal, however, I was very tired and my body ached all over. Legs, knee and back quite painful. Heading downhill I finally entered the welcoming sight of Stratford St Mary. I was on the outskirts of the village where I rested again on the village bench. Phew I had made it, just. We will camp here and hope tomorrow my knee would heal. Walking towards the open field adjacent to the river Stour I collapsed in a heap. All I could do now was rest my aching bones and wait for Marie to arrive which was going to be in about 1 ½ hours. The sun was going down and the air became chilly, I put on my warm fleece as all I could do was wait.
When she arrived, I could barely get up let alone walk, but with the help of my dear wife and after willing my legs to work, what must have looked like a cripple eventually got used to the motion of swinging one leg forward and then the other. We had to walk back to where the car was parked. Once in motion the pain eased. Marie had all the necessary gear in the car so we walked from the car to our chosen spot. Walking past some horses we met Cam Doc, a young man with a guitar. We were lucky to be his audience while he played one of his own compositions. Pretty sure he will be a star one day. Good luck Cam….
Marie had pre-prepared some food so we lit our camp stove and ate in the open air. So many thoughts rushed through my mind, firstly, I had started my journey and survived the first day with a great deal of pain. What lay ahead of me, would my body be able to cope with the strain and I was not carrying the full load. If I had have done then I dare say I would not have got this far, however, whatever the future holds I will overcome it, somehow. As it was getting dark and the likelihood of any walkers seemed remote, so we picked our spot to set up our tent and in the twilight of the evening pumped up our sleeping mats, unrolled out sleeping bags and slipped into them, turning to my dear wife and thanking her for being there for me, I turned over and fell asleep almost immediately.